Image: New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe
The Columbia Museum of Art has appointed Laura J. Mueller, Ph.D., as its new executive director, following a seven-month search that drew national and international candidates. According to the museum, Mueller will begin on Aug. 3, 2026, succeeding the leadership role after recently serving as interim executive director of the New Mexico Museum of Art and Vladem Contemporary in Santa Fe.
The announcement comes from the museum’s board of trustees, which described the hiring as the result of an extensive search process. Board president Therese Griffin said the board was drawn to Mueller’s museum management and curatorial experience, as well as her cultural leadership and work in strengthening museums through strategic positioning and capacity building. The board formed a search committee after the departure of the previous executive director in October of last year and engaged Museum Search & Reference, a Boston-based firm specializing in museum leadership recruitment, to assist with the process.
Mueller arrives with more than 20 years of experience in art museums and cultural institutions, according to the museum. Her background includes leadership roles, curatorial work, and scholarly research, with a particular focus on Japanese art. The museum said she has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, led fundraising initiatives and capital projects, curated nationally recognized exhibitions, and built strategic partnerships to expand community engagement.
The Columbia Museum of Art said Mueller’s appointment coincides with a milestone period for the institution. The museum celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025 and completed a recent reinstallation of its collection this year. Griffin called the moment a pivotal one in the museum’s history, saying the board looks forward to Mueller’s vision as the institution moves toward strategic growth and sustainability.
In a statement released by the museum, Mueller said she believes museums can “inspire curiosity, foster empathy, and bring people together through shared experiences.” She said she is excited to work with the board, staff, members, donors, artists, and the local community to ensure the museum remains a welcoming and dynamic cultural resource for future generations.
Mueller is described by the museum as an internationally recognized scholar of Japanese art. The museum said she has published extensively and lived and conducted research in Japan for more than six years. Her academic training includes a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Gustavus Adolphus College, a master’s degree in arts administration and an MBA from Southern Methodist University, and a Ph.D. in the history of art from the University of Wisconsin.
The museum also noted that Mueller will officially take the helm on Aug. 3, 2026, bringing her previous leadership experience in Santa Fe to the Columbia post as the institution continues its anniversary year and recent collection reinstallation.
