Royal Ontario Museum

ROM+Outside+1.jpg

ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM

DR. AKIKO TAKESUE APPOINTED BISHOP WHITE COMMITTEE ASSOCIATE CURATOR OF JAPANESE ART & CULTURE

Dr. Takesue, in her new role, will develop and implement strategies to build, manage, and interpret the ROM’s world-class collection of Japanese art and culture through exhibitions and public programs.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Akiko Takesue to the ROM,” said Josh Basseches, ROM Director & CEO. “With extensive curatorial and research experience in Japanese art and culture, she will be responsible for raising the caliber and profile of the Museum’s extraordinary collection—one of the largest of its kind in Canada—as well as offering fresh perspectives on the impact and influence of Japanese art and culture on the contemporary world. We are grateful to the ROM’s Bishop White Committee for making this appointment possible with the endowment of this position.” Dr. Takesue will bring her expertise in art history, prints and ceramics to initiatives that build deeper connections with the public and Japanese communities locally and around the world.

The appointment of Dr. Takesue to the role represents a homecoming for the art historian, whose involvement with the ROM’s Japanese collections spans 20 years. She first joined the Museum two decades ago as a visiting scholar and then as Academic Advisor for the Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan. She also held a curatorial fellowship at the ROM. After the completion of her Ph.D. in 2016, her career took her around the world, with positions at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and guest curator for the Gardiner Museum in Toronto. She holds a doctorate in Art History from York University in Toronto, a Master’s degree from the University of Toronto, a Master of Art Administration from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, and a B. A. from Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, Japan.

Other Open Searches
Museum Search & Reference: New Editor
Museum Search & Reference: New Editor

Editor/Copy Editor/Writer

Application Deadline: August 28, 2026

Read more →
VI.png
Virgin Islands Museum of Art

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Application Deadline: CLOSED

Read more →
NEAM.png
New England Air Museum

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Application Deadline: CLOSED

Read more →
ROM.png
ROM-Curator of Insects & Arachnids

CURATOR OF INSECTS & ARACHNIDS

Application Deadline: CLOSED

Read more →
Wheelwright.png
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Application Deadline: CLOSED

Read more →
Paul revere.jpg
Paul Revere Memorial Association

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Application Deadline: CLOSED

Read more →
hall_tavern[84].jpg
Historic Deerfield

PRESIDENT AND CEO
Application Deadline: CLOSED

Read more →
Lyman.png
Lyman Allyn Art Museum

Frank H. Goodyear, Ph.D., appointed Executive Director

The Lyman Allyn Art Museum (LAAM) has appointed Frank H. Goodyear, Ph.D., as its next Executive Director, effective October 26, 2026. The appointment follows an extensive national search led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yeager and Laurie Pasteryak. 

A nationally recognized museum leader, curator, scholar, and author, Goodyear comes to the Lyman Allyn following a distinguished career at the forefront of American art and museum practice. He most recently spent thirteen years as Co-Director, with Anne Collins Goodyear, of the Bowdoin College Museum of Art. Under their leadership, the Museum acquired more than 5,000 works of art, including major gifts of contemporary art and photography, and received major grants and recognition. Goodyear also helped establish the New Media Arts Consortium, enabling academic museums in New England to jointly acquire and share video and digital artwork.

Before joining Bowdoin in 2013, Goodyear served as Curator of Photographs at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. He holds an A.B. from Princeton University and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. His scholarship focuses particularly on the history of photography and American art. He has curated more than 40 exhibitions and is the author or co-author of thirteen books and exhibition catalogues.

Goodyear joins the institution at a pivotal moment. He succeeds Sam Quigley, who announced his retirement earlier this year following twelve years of transformative leadership. LAAM is currently completing the development of Lyman Allyn Park, a twelve-acre urban green space designed to extend the Museum’s mission beyond its walls. The project fulfills founder Harriet Upson Allyn’s vision of a park and museum for the “free use and enjoyment” of the people of New London. It will create new opportunities for sculpture, environmental learning, public programs, and community gatherings. 

“We could not be more pleased to welcome Frank Goodyear to the Lyman Allyn,” said Eliza Sharp, President of the Museum’s Board of Trustees. “Frank brings an extraordinary combination of curatorial expertise, scholarship, leadership, and an uncommon understanding of the role museums play in the life of their communities. His experience at Bowdoin and the Smithsonian, his national network of colleagues, and his commitment to making museums welcoming and relevant to broad audiences make him an exceptional fit for the Lyman Allyn at this important moment in our history.” 

Read more →
Museum of the SW.png
The Museum of the Southwest

Jessica Kinsey appointed Executive Director 

The Museum of the Southwest (MSW) has named Jessica Kinsey, an experienced museum leader with a strong track record of institutional growth and community engagement, as its next Executive Director. She will assume her position effective October 1, 2026. The nationwide search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger.

Kinsey most recently spent eight years running the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), where she grew operating revenue by 89% while helping secure over $1 million in philanthropic support and expanding the professional staff. Under her leadership, SUMA also landed a major sculpture by renowned Chiricahua Apache artist Allan Houser for its redesigned sculpture court. 

Since 2025, Kinsey has been an Assistant Professor of Arts Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Oklahoma, teaching museum leadership and strategic planning, and she serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries. She holds an M.A. in Museum Studies and a B.A. in Art History, both from the University of Oklahoma.

“Jessica impressed us with her energy, creativity, and proven ability to build an organization while bringing people together around a shared vision,” said Doug Schmidt, President of the MSW Board of Trustees. “She understands that the Museum of the Southwest is a multidisciplinary institution serving art, science, children, families, and the broader West Texas community. We believe she is the right leader to build on the Museum’s strengths and lead us into its next chapter.” 

Kinsey will live in Midland and looks forward to spending time at her family’s property in West Texas near Fort Davis. She succeeds Interim Executive Director Dwight Alworth, who steered the Museum through its leadership transition.

Read more →
image.jpeg
Memphis Museums of Science & History

Jeff King appointed Executive Director

The Board of Trustees of Memphis Museums of Science & History (MoSH) has appointed Jeff King as the organization’s next Executive Director, effective October 1, 2026. King has served as Interim Executive Director since December 2025. His appointment follows a comprehensive national search conducted by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Ida Tomlin.

King joined MoSH in August 2021 as Director of Guest Services and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in July 2023. In that role, he oversaw education, exhibitions and collections, marketing, theater and planetarium operations, public programming, and other operational functions across the organization’s properties. 

King has extensive experience in museum operations, strategic planning, staff development, financial oversight, visitor engagement, and organizational management. Before joining MoSH, he held several leadership positions at the Denver Art Museum (DAM), including Director of Operations. During his time at DAM, he managed large-scale visitor and sales operations for an institution serving as many as one million visitors annually and led teams of up to 250 employees. He holds a B.A. in Fine and Studio Arts, with a minor in Art History, from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.

“Jeff brings a rare combination of institutional knowledge, operational expertise, and a deep, genuine love for each of our museum properties,” said Gwyn Fisher, Chair of the MoSH Board of Trustees. “Throughout his interim leadership, he has demonstrated that he understands not only where this organization has been, but also the tremendous opportunity ahead. The Board is confident that Jeff has the vision, experience, and commitment to lead our museums into their next chapter—expanding our reach, strengthening our impact, and ensuring these treasured institutions continue to serve our community for generations to come.”

Read more →

Diane Covell