Dallas, Texas – Agustín Arteaga, the highly esteemed director of the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA), made an unexpected announcement disclosing he will be departing his post at the end of this year. Arteaga’s leaving is scheduled for December 31, following eight years of leadership of one of the top cultural organizations in the South. His term saw notable expansion, diversity, and institutional transformation.
Although Arteaga’s future intentions were not stated in the museum’s statement, it was made quite apparent that Tamara Wootton Forsyth, the current deputy director, will be in charge until a permanent replacement is located. Arteaga’s leaving coincides with a turning point since the DMA is preparing for a significant expansion headed by Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, which would add an astounding 40,000 square feet to the museum’s grounds. Usually keeping a director in place until completion, the expansion seeks to provide more gallery space, a new café, and modern facilities to the DMA. Arteaga’s choice to leave among these aspirational goals shows his openness for new opportunities.
“As the Museum embarks on an expansive transformation project and capital campaign, and considering the significant progress that has been made during my eight years of leading the DMA, working in collaboration with our staff and Board, driven by my passion for art and a strong sense of purpose to serve, I feel it’s the right time to transition and focus on pursuing these passions as a museum leader, curator and scholar,” said Arteaga.
“Following an extraordinary response to our international architecture competition to reimagine the DMA, we have now laid the foundation to transform the Museum into one of the most exciting, engaging and visitor-friendly art museums in the world. With this groundwork in place, it is the right moment to hand the reins to the next leader, who will see this monumental multiyear project to fruition and lead the DMA into the future.”
Arteaga’s leadership has been characterized with a focus on broadening the museum’s inclusiveness and reach since he joined the DMA in 2016. In 2017 he added Spanish alongside English, therefore making DMA one of the first significant art institutions in the United States to provide bilingual resources. Though today more frequent, this initiative was revolutionary at the time and demonstrated Arteaga’s dedication to provide art to a more varied, larger audience.
Under Arteaga’s leadership, the DMA became a place where diverse cultural narratives found a home. Along with pieces honoring Mexican modernism, Arteaga planned shows featuring European and American masters such Berthe Morisot, Vincent van Gogh, and Cecily Brown. These featured well-known events with Frida Kahlo, Abraham Ángel, and Matthew Wong that attracted visitors and raised the museum’s significance both locally and abroad. This strategy has enabled the DMA to become a center of community activity where local appreciation interacts with global viewpoints.
“We are grateful to Agustín for his many contributions to the Dallas Museum of Art, especially during a time of unprecedented challenges,” said Gowri Sharma, President, and Jeff Ellerman, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the DMA. “With a long list of curatorial and programmatic achievements and having put in place a talented leadership team, he is leaving the Museum in a position of strength as we look to the next chapter in the Museum’s trajectory. Our Board looks forward to working with the next leader of the DMA, along with our staff, donors and City partners, to realize the vision created under Agustín’s leadership.”
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One important legacy of Arteaga is the expansion project, which is meant to improve the DMA’s position even more. Designed by Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, the proposed extension will expand the existing significant presence of the museum with new public facilities, more gallery space, and revised infrastructure. Under Arteaga’s direction, this ambitious project seeks to establish the DMA as a more dynamic and flexible organization ready to serve both bigger audiences and more diversity of artistic programming.
Arteaga’s forthcoming leaving fits him with a more general pattern in the museum scene. His announcement follows those of other prominent museum leaders, such as Matthew Teitelbaum of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Glenn Lowry of the Museum of Modern Art, who are also stepping down. Arteaga’s departure is the third high-profile museum director leaving in recent years, highlighting a time of change in American cultural institutions when directors who oversaw major transformations are clearing path for new perspectives.
Arteaga offered his experience running universities in Puerto Rico, Argentina, and Mexico before joining the DMA. His worldwide background and thorough awareness of Latin American art injected the DMA with new ideas, therefore expanding the audience for American art and promoting cross-cultural communication in this venue.
Finding a successor who can carry on Arteaga’s legacy and guide the Dallas Museum of Art toward the future may prove difficult when he leaves. Tamara Wootton Forsyth’s appointment as temporary director provides consistency during the change. Arteaga’s comment suggests he will keep following his love of art and leadership, maybe on an even more general level; the public still finds his road ahead unknown.
Arteaga’s last days at the DMA will be characterized by celebration of his successes as well as expectation for the museum’s next phase as December 31 draws near. His achievements have permanently changed the museum; the legacy of inclusivity and cultural diversity he leaves behind will always be felt by audiences and future leaders.
