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.