Dallas Museum of Art Director Max Anderson Resigns

This morning, Dr. Maxwell, L. Anderson, who you know as the guy who has been running the Dallas Museum of Art, stepped down from his post. He will be taking a position as Director of Grant Programs with the New Cities Foundation, an organization which states its vision as "a...

By Lauren Smart

September 28, 2015

Audio By Carbonatix

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18855504",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2",
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17105533",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1",
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangleLeft",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "rectangleRight",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet|mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105532",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25,
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangleLeft",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "rectangleRight",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet|mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105535",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25,
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "leaderboardInlineContent",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "tower",
              "displayTargets": "mobile"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]

This morning, Dr. Maxwell, L. Anderson, who you know as the guy who has been running the Dallas Museum of Art, stepped down from his post. He will be taking a position as Director of Grant Programs with the New Cities Foundation, an organization which states its vision as "a world where cities drive economic, social and environmental progress." Perhaps this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise since under his tenure at the DMA, he helped bring that foundation to Dallas for its 2014 New Cities Summit.

Anderson came to the DMA less than four years ago, and during that time, the museum returned to free general admission and launched a number of innovative digital programs, partnered with universities throughout the region and hosted quite a few phenomenal exhibitions. He helped raise more than $40 million for the museum's endowment, and was at the helm of securing the long-term loan of the Keir Collection of Islamic Art.

In the press release Anderson issued this statement. “After nearly four years at the Dallas Museum of Art, I have decided to accept a compelling new opportunity at the New Cities Foundation, among the most innovative urban-focused enterprises in the world. It has been a great privilege to work alongside the Board and staff of the DMA, and to play a role in helping shape the Dallas Arts District Foundation as its chairman since 2013. My growing interest in how cultural districts can shape cities led me to this new, exciting opportunity in New York City.”

He jets off to New York City shortly and until the museum replaces him, Walter Elcock, President of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, will serve as Interim Director and Board Vice President Catherine Rose will serve as Interim President.

Thanks for hanging out in Dallas for a few years, Max!

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Dallas Observer has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.