Dallas, August 22, 2025
News Summary
The Dallas Museum of Art has appointed Brian Ferriso as its new director, effective December 1. Ferriso, previously director of the Portland Art Museum, is expected to lead a significant campus transformation project and enhance community engagement initiatives.
Dallas — The Dallas Museum of Art has named Brian Ferriso as its new director, effective December 1, 2023, succeeding Agustín Arteaga. Ferriso joins the museum from the Portland Art Museum, where he served as director since 2006 and built a record of fundraising, fiscal stabilization, staffing expansion, accessibility initiatives, and community engagement.
Appointment and immediate context
The appointment places Ferriso at the helm as the DMA prepares for a major campus transformation. The museum’s board has already selected an architect for a planned $150 million campus revamp intended to modernize facilities and increase community access. DMA board leaders cited Ferriso’s experience with large capital projects and civic programming as key reasons for his selection.
Track record at the Portland Art Museum
During his tenure at the Portland Art Museum, Ferriso oversaw significant institutional changes and financial improvements. Key measurable outcomes include:
- $40 million increase in the museum’s endowment.
- Elimination of $7 million in unfunded debt.
- Doubling of the curatorial staff, with nearly half of the new positions endowed.
- Creation of an Art Access Endowment to fund free admission for children under 17, free school tours, and free family program days.
- Strengthened efforts to diversify the museum’s collection, with heightened emphasis on works by women, Native American, Black, and historically underrepresented artists.
Native American engagement and governance changes
The Portland Art Museum expanded its engagement with Native American communities by establishing a dedicated assistant curator position for Native American art, adding Native American representation to its board, and forming an advisory committee to support collection and programming decisions related to Indigenous art and communities.
Capital projects and timing
Ferriso has been overseeing a $140 million expansion and renovation at the Portland Art Museum, scheduled to open on November 20, 2023. The DMA’s own capital plans are sizable and concurrent: the museum’s board is planning a comprehensive campus revamp with a projected budget of $150 million, and an architect has already been selected to lead the project.
Leadership perspective and priorities
Ferriso has emphasized integrating museums into the civic and cultural fabric of their cities, focusing on relevance, accessibility, and a clear civic function for arts institutions. At the Portland Art Museum he developed initiatives aimed at removing financial and institutional barriers to access, while also broadening the curatorial scope to reflect underrepresented artists and communities. He intends to bring that approach to the DMA and to work collaboratively with museum staff, board members, city leaders, and the broader Dallas community.
Career background
Before leading the Portland Art Museum, Ferriso held leadership positions at several U.S. institutions, including the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. His combined experience spans fundraising, operations, curatorial development, and public programming.
Board response and institutional goals
DMA board leadership described Ferriso’s record as demonstrating sustainable growth and successful execution of capital campaigns and civic programming. The board framed his appointment as timely given the DMA’s planned campus modernization and the museum’s goals to expand community engagement and accessibility.
Next steps and transition
Ferriso will assume full leadership responsibilities on December 1, 2023. In the months ahead, institutional leaders and staff at the DMA are expected to move forward with planning and early implementation steps for the campus revamp, while Ferriso’s immediate tasks will likely include finalizing project timelines, fundraising strategies, and community engagement plans aligned with the museum’s strategic priorities.
Background on the institutions
The Dallas Museum of Art is positioning a major physical renewal alongside efforts to deepen community access and programming. The Portland Art Museum, under Ferriso’s leadership, focused on increasing financial stability, diversifying collections, and removing barriers to access through targeted endowments and programming. Those two institutional contexts inform the expectations for Ferriso’s incoming role at the DMA.
FAQ
| Metric | Value | Visual |
|---|---|---|
| Endowment increase (Portland Art Museum) | $40,000,000 | |
| Unfunded debt eliminated (Portland) | $7,000,000 | |
| Portland expansion | $140,000,000 | |
| Planned Dallas campus revamp | $150,000,000 | |
| Curatorial staff change (Portland) | Doubled |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Fall Art Exhibitions Illuminate Dallas Museums and Galleries
Untitled Art Houston to Debut in 2025
Dallas Museum of Art Appoints New Director Amid Expansion Plans
Dan Jian: Library of Partial Things Exhibition Opens
Dallas Museum of Art Appoints New Director
SPCA of Texas Announces 2024 Fur Ball Gala
Elena Rodz Named Master Artist for Rockport Art Festival
Fort Worth Museums Showcase Diverse Art Exhibitions
End-of-Summer Activities for Families in Dallas-Fort Worth
Job Opportunities at North Texas Job Fair
Additional Resources
- Dallas News
- Wikipedia: Dallas Museum of Art
- Art News
- Google Search: Brian Ferriso Dallas Museum of Art
- Art Forum
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Brian Ferriso
- Glasstire
- Google News: Dallas Museum of Art new director
- The Art Newspaper
- Dallas Innovates
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
