Dallas, August 22, 2025
News Summary
The Dallas Museum of Art has announced Brian Ferriso as its new Eugene McDermott Director, starting December 1. Ferriso brings 18 years of experience from the Portland Art Museum and will lead the museum through a significant expansion and modernization effort, focusing on access and diversity in collections and programming.
Dallas — The Dallas Museum of Art has appointed Brian Ferriso as its new Eugene McDermott Director, with his tenure set to begin on December 1, 2024. Ferriso will lead the museum during a major building expansion and modernization project and oversee the institution’s efforts to broaden access and diversify its collections and programming.
Key appointment details
The museum completed a 10-month national search following the announced departure of the previous director. The appointment of Ferriso follows his 18-year leadership at the Portland Art Museum (PAM), where he served as director since 2006. The DMA selection committee highlighted his combination of institutional experience, project leadership, and strategic vision as central to the appointment.
Responsibilities and immediate priorities
Ferriso will direct the DMA through a multi-phase expansion and renovation designed by Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, intended to modernize the museum building originally designed by architect Edward Larrabee Barnes and opened in 1984. His responsibilities will include advancing the project from concept to realization, aligning collection and program priorities with the renovation, and strengthening community engagement and inclusion initiatives.
Search process
The museum initiated the search after the previous director announced a departure. The process lasted approximately 10 months and involved the DMA board and an executive search committee focused on identifying a candidate with experience in capital projects, financial stewardship, and curatorial expansion.
Record at Portland Art Museum
During his tenure at PAM, Ferriso led a transformative $140 million capital project and implemented financial strategies that produced measurable institutional gains. Key outcomes at PAM under his leadership included a $40 million increase in endowment and the elimination of $7 million in debt. He also more than doubled the museum’s curatorial staff, indicating a substantial investment in scholarship and exhibition programming.
Access and collection development
Ferriso established an Art Access Endowment at PAM to provide free admission for children 17 and under and prioritized diversifying the museum’s holdings. Collection development efforts focused on increasing representation of historically underrepresented artists, with particular attention to works by women, Native American artists, and Black artists. He also expanded institutional engagement with Native American communities by creating a dedicated Assistant Curator of Native American Art position and forming an advisory committee to guide programming and acquisitions.
Exhibitions and national presence
Under Ferriso’s direction, PAM organized a number of notable exhibitions and secured significant institutional visibility, including facilitating the first solo presentation by an Indigenous artist at the U.S. Pavilion for the Venice Biennale. These projects contributed to PAM’s regional and national profile and demonstrated experience with high-profile exhibitions and cross-institutional collaborations.
Professional background and education
Before joining PAM, Ferriso held leadership and curatorial roles at the Philbrook Museum of Art, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. His academic credentials include degrees in economics, arts administration, and art history from Bowdoin College, New York University, and the University of Chicago. He is a recipient of the 2012 Excellence Award from the Foundation for Italian Art and Culture and has served in governance and leadership roles across regional and national art organizations.
Museum context and public access
The DMA is one of the largest art museums in the United States, stewarding a collection of over 25,000 works. The institution maintains a policy of free general admission for all visitors and aims to expand inclusive programming and access as part of its strategic priorities. The upcoming expansion is intended to update visitor facilities, improve exhibition spaces, and create more accessible public programming.
Next steps
Ferriso will assume leadership responsibilities on December 1, 2024, and will immediately engage with the museum’s board, staff, community stakeholders, and the project team for the expansion. Implementation timelines for the renovation and related programmatic initiatives will be developed under his oversight as the project moves from planning toward construction and installation phases.
FAQ
Who is the new director of the Dallas Museum of Art?
The new director is Brian Ferriso, who will serve as the Eugene McDermott Director beginning December 1, 2024.
Where did Brian Ferriso work before joining the DMA?
Ferriso was the director of the Portland Art Museum in Oregon from 2006 until his appointment at the DMA.
What major project will Ferriso oversee at the DMA?
Ferriso will oversee a comprehensive expansion and renovation designed by Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos to modernize the Edward Larrabee Barnes building and improve galleries and public spaces.
What are some of Ferriso’s notable achievements?
At PAM, Ferriso led a $140 million capital project, increased endowment by $40 million, eliminated $7 million in debt, expanded curatorial staff, and established an endowment to provide free admission for youth 17 and under.
Will the DMA maintain free admission?
The DMA currently maintains free general admission for all visitors and has stated commitments to accessibility and inclusive programming as part of its strategic goals.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| New Director | Brian Ferriso |
| Start Date | December 1, 2024 |
| Prior Institution | Portland Art Museum (Director since 2006) |
| Major Project Experience | $140 million capital project at PAM |
| Financial Results | $40 million endowment increase; $7 million debt reduction |
| Collection Size (DMA) | Over 25,000 works |
| Admission Policy | Free general admission for all visitors |
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Additional Resources
- Dallas Innovates
- FAD Magazine
- Modern Luxury
- NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
- ArtNews
- Wikipedia: Dallas Museum of Art
- Google Search: Dallas Museum of Art
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dallas Museum of Art
- Google Scholar: Brian Ferriso
- Google News: Brian Ferriso Dallas Museum of Art
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