Laura J. Mueller, Ph.D. appointed Executive Director of the Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia, SC

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Laura J. Mueller, Ph.D. as the new Executive Director of the Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, SC. Mueller recently served as the Interim Executive Director of the New Mexico Museum of Art and Vladem Contemporary in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She officially takes the helm as Executive Director on August 3, 2026. Senior Search Consultant Ken Turino led the national search.

Mueller is a museum executive, curator, and art historian with more than twenty years of leadership experience in art museums and cultural institutions. She has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, led major fundraising initiatives and capital projects, curated nationally recognized exhibitions, and cultivated strategic partnerships that expand community engagement. An internationally recognized scholar of Japanese art, she has published extensively and lived and conducted research in Japan. Mueller holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Economics from Gustavus Adolphus College, a Master of Arts in Arts Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University, and a Ph.D. in the History of Art from the University of Wisconsin. 

“The CMA Board of Trustees is delighted to welcome Dr. Mueller to the Museum,” says Therese Griffin, Board President.” In addition to her well-rounded museum management and curatorial experiences, the Board was drawn to her strong world view, cultural leadership, and work around strengthening museums through strategic positioning and capacity building.”  

“We celebrated the CMA’s 75th anniversary in 2025 and the reinstallation of its impressive art collection this year, so Dr. Mueller will assume leadership at a pivotal moment in the Museum’s history,” says Griffin. “We look forward to embracing her vision as she guides the CMA to the next level of strategic growth and sustainability.” 

“I believe museums have the power to inspire curiosity, foster empathy, and bring people together through shared experiences,” says Mueller. “I am excited to work alongside the Board, staff, members, donors, artists, and our community to ensure the Museum continues to be a welcoming, dynamic, and inspiring cultural resource.”

Lacy Schutz appointed Interim Executive Director

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Lacy Schutz as the Interim Executive Director at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) Cincinnati. Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger led the national search. Schutz will begin her new role on May 18.

Schutz brings nearly twenty years of cultural-institution leadership to the role, with a track record of advancing artistic ambition alongside organizational and financial strength. Most recently, she served as Managing Director of ATHR Gallery in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, one of the leading contemporary art galleries in the Gulf region. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of the Shaker Museum in New York, where she stabilized operations, rebuilt donors and community trust, and launched a transformative capital campaign. She has also held senior leadership roles at the Museum of the City of New York.

“We are genuinely thrilled to welcome Lacy to CAC,” said Emily Kokenge and Rick Michelman, co-presidents of CAC’s Board of Trustees. “She understands what makes CAC singular, and she has the experience to protect that while building the foundation this institution needs to take its next leap. We couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.”

Schutz has a deep commitment to the civic role of contemporary art institutions and to CAC’s history of courageous programming. “CAC has been making bold choices since 1939,” Schutz said. “It has shown work that wasn’t safe, stood its ground when that mattered, and earned a particular kind of trust that very few institutions can claim. I am coming to Cincinnati to help build on that, to strengthen the foundation that makes the risk-taking possible, and to make sure this place continues to be what it has always been: somewhere the future gets rehearsed.”

Daryl Ward appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Daryl Ward, Ph.D., as the new Executive Director of The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum (formerly the Polk Museum) at Florida Southern College. Senior Search Consultant Dana Friis-Hansen led the national search. 

Ward has served as the Interim Executive Director since June 2025. He will officially take on the Executive Director position on March 2.

Ward is an established figure in the regional arts community. He worked in Polk County Public Schools for 32 years, including seven years as principal of Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland, before retiring in 2020.

 After a brief stint at Southeastern University, in 2022 Ward became Executive Director of the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance, which is the nonprofit organization that advocates for local arts and culture entities and oversees the Polk Arts and Culture Hall of Fame.

Ward holds a doctorate from the University of South Florida, and he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from Florida State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. A photographer who has exhibited his work publicly, Ward also serves as an adjunct professor in the education department at Florida Southern College.

As Interim Executive Director, Ward oversaw such initiatives as the Ela’s Forest project, a memorial sculpture honoring a local family affected by domestic violence, and the FSC Voices Symposium, which pairs Florida Southern faculty expertise with exhibitions at the Museum.

After considering “a strong pool of candidates,” Florida Southern President Jeremy Martin decided that Ward should become the full-time leader. He said, “As we were interviewing candidates, I found that I was in effect asking, ‘Will you continue the great work that Dr. Ward has been doing?’ When I passed that compliment on to Dr. Ward, we discussed how deeply invested he had become in the Museum in recent months.” Martin added: “From there, it became clear that we had the right leader in place — someone who understands The AGB, values its mission, and is committed to advancing the arts at Florida Southern and throughout our community.”

Fabio Fernández appointed Executive Director

The National Sculpture Society of New York City has appointed Fabio J. Fernández as the new Executive Director, following a nationwide search led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger. Fernández assumed his position on January 26, 2026.

Fernández brings more than two decades of leadership experience across arts and cultural organizations. He previously served as Director of Greenwich House Pottery in New York and Executive Director of the Society of Arts + Crafts in Boston, where he led strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational development to support artists and creative communities.

Trained in both business and the visual arts, Fernández earned his Bachelor’s in Business Management from Seton Hall University and a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Cranbrook Academy of Art. His dual perspective has informed his commitment to supporting artists, strengthening creative communities, and advancing institutions dedicated to the arts.

“Fabio brings a rare combination of administrative rigor, deep respect for artists, and an understanding of how membership organizations can thrive,” said Gregory Glasson, Board Chair of the National Sculpture Society. “He understands our mission, appreciates our history, and is well-positioned to help advance our strategic priorities, including the evolving needs of our members.”

Fernández succeeds outgoing Executive Director Gwen Pier, who over nearly four decades guided the organization through extraordinary growth. During her tenure, Pier played a central role in growing the endowment from $365,000 to more than $15 million, thus strengthening the Society’s programs, exhibitions, publications, and member services. She has stewarded the organization through significant changes in the field and overseen strategic planning, the revitalization of the Society’s magazine, Sculpture Quarterly, the development of awards, scholarships, residencies, ambassador groups, and juried exhibitions, all of which have directly benefited generations of sculptors.

Alana Ryder appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that the Mystic Museum of Art (MMoA) has appointed Alana H. Ryder as its new Executive Director. The nationwide search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger. Ryder will assume her position on December 1, 2025.

‍Ryder joins MMoA following her tenure as Director of Fellows and Cohort Programs at the Art Bridges Foundation, a major national arts philanthropy dedicated to expanding access to American art. There, she launched and led the Foundation’s signature programs supporting emerging museum leaders and institutional partnerships across the country. Previously, Ryder held management and curatorial roles at the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center at SUNY Buffalo, where she created the Community Gallery program to showcase and support local artists.

Ryder brings to MMoA a strong record of innovation in museum programming, leadership development, and audience engagement. At Art Bridges, she built a new department and oversaw program strategy and budget, helping partner museums across the United States strengthen access, equity, and professional pathways in the arts. Earlier in her career, she directed university and public programs at the Wexner Center, where she managed endowed lectures, major grants, and initiatives linking artists with academic and community audiences. Ryder holds an M.B.A. from The Ohio State University; an M.A. in History with Museum Studies from SUNY Buffalo; and a B.A. in History of Art from the University of California, Berkeley.

“Alana is a dynamic and forward-thinking leader who combines a deep understanding of the museum field with a genuine passion for community connection,” said Breck Perkins, President of Mystic Museum of Art’s Board of Directors. “Her national perspective, creative energy, and proven ability to build partnerships will be invaluable as we advance MMoA’s mission and strategic vision for the future.”

“I am honored to join Mystic Museum of Art and to carry forward its legacy as a center for creativity and connection,” said Ryder. “Mystic’s artistic heritage and its active community of artists create a unique opportunity for dialogue, learning, and inspiration. I look forward to working with the Board, staff, and community partners to expand the Museum’s reach and deepen its impact in the region and beyond.”

Kenneth Brummel appointed Curator of European Art

The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields has appointed Kenneth Brummel as the new Curator of European Art, following an international search led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger. Brummel assumed his position on January 12, 2026.

At the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Brummel will oversee the European Art collection of approximately 1,000 works, including the renowned Clowes Collection, which includes a notable early self-portrait by Rembrandt. He will also lead forthcoming gallery reinstallations emphasizing inclusive storytelling, global connections, and accessibility. 

Brummel joins Newfields from the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, New Zealand’s largest public art museum, where he has served as Curator of International Art since 2023. Previously, he spent eight years at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in Toronto as Assistant and then Associate Curator of Modern Art. He also has held curatorial positions at Joslyn Art Museum, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Cincinnati Art Museum. 

A specialist in nineteenth- and twentieth-century international art, Brummel has a Master’s in Art History and is working towards a doctorate at The University of Chicago. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Katherine Demsky Appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH) has appointed Katherine Demsky as its new Executive Director. The nationwide search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger. Demsky assumed her position on September 15, 2025. 

Demsky brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in museums and nonprofit organizations. Her professional background highlights strengths in strategic planning, program development, fundraising, and team leadership, paired with a deep alignment to values of compassion, equity, and service. She currently serves as International Tour Program Coordinator for ROW Adventures, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and will relocate to Houston from Portland, Oregon.

Demsky’s career spans multiple continents, reflecting her ability to build bridges across cultures. She has spent over a decade living and working in Nepal, India, and in China, where she helped establish the Lumbini Museum at the birthplace of the Buddha, led global retreats for Tergar International, a global meditation and education organization, and developed community-based programs supporting women’s empowerment in Nepal. She has also worked for the Portland (OR) Children’s Museum and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, China.

As Executive Director, Demsky will lead EGMH in implementing its strategic vision, broadening community partnerships, and strengthening its role as the first museum in the Americas dedicated to the life and values of Mahatma Gandhi.

“We are delighted to welcome Katherine as the next leader of EGMH,” said Atul Kothari, Chair of the Board. “Her breadth of experience and her passion for advancing cultural and educational missions make her an ideal fit to guide the Museum into its next chapter of growth and impact, and to deepen our role as a resource for Houston and beyond.”

“I am honored to join the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston,” Demsky said. “The Museum’s mission to advance peace and nonviolence through education and cultural understanding resonates deeply with me. I look forward to working with the Board, staff, and community to build on EGMH’s achievements and expand its reach as a unique institution dedicated to dialogue, reflection, and learning.”

Meg Hagyard appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures has appointed Meg Hagyard as its new Executive Director. The nationwide search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Suzanne Tan. Hagyard assumed her position on October 27, 2025.

‍A longtime Tucson resident and respected arts leader, Hagyard brings more than two decades of experience in the museum and arts-and-culture sector, where she has dedicated her career to advancing access, engagement, and sustainability for cultural institutions.

Hagyard most recently served as Chief of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives at the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, where she led major fundraising initiatives, expanded community partnerships, and supported organizational growth. Her previous leadership roles include Director of Development and Institutional Advancement at MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art), as well as senior positions with the University of Arizona Museum of Art and the Center for Creative Photography.

Throughout her career, Hagyard has demonstrated a passion for connecting art and community. Her work often explores the intersection of arts, health, and well-being, fostering collaborations that highlight the transformative power of creativity.

The appointment of Hagyard marks an exciting new era for The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. Building on the strong foundation established by founders Patricia and Walter Arnell, Hagyard will guide the Museum in expanding its programs, partnerships, and visibility both locally and nationally. 

“Meg’s deep experience in arts leadership, her commitment to community engagement, and her strategic vision make her an ideal fit for The Mini Time Machine,” said Chad Goebel, President of the Museum’s Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to welcome her as we continue to celebrate the artistry of miniatures and inspire imagination across generations.” 

“I am honored to join The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures,” said Hagyard, “a truly unique institution that delights and inspires people of all ages through its blend of creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. I look forward to working with the staff, Board, and community to envision the Museum’s next chapter and to build upon its wonderful sixteen-year history.”