WASHINGTON, DC — The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) today announced that Susan Fisher Sterling, the Alice West Director, will retire at the close of 2026, after nearly four decades of service to the institution. Sterling’s leadership has been transformational, shepherding the museum from a founder’s vision into a globally respected museum. Sterling’s tenure marks a substantial period of growth and development, including a sweeping renovation that significantly updated the museum’s iconic building and extensive planning for the museum’s 40th anniversary in 2027.

Sterling joined NMWA in 1988 as an associate curator, just one year after the museum, founded by collector Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, opened as the world’s first institution solely dedicated to championing women through the arts. She rose steadily through the organization, serving as Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Chief Curator, and Deputy Director, before being appointed Director in 2008. She holds a master’s degree and PhD in Art History from Princeton University.

“Susan has been a defining force in American cultural life,” said Winton Holladay, Chair of the NMWA Board of Trustees. “Her commitment to women artists has shaped not only this museum but the broader conversation about representation and equity in the arts. We are profoundly grateful for her vision and her leadership.”

During her 18-year directorship, Sterling oversaw a period of sustained growth and global recognition. Under her leadership, the museum’s collection expanded to more than 6,000 works by over 1,500 artists spanning the 16th century to the present. She spearheaded major solo exhibitions of artists including Carrie Mae Weems, Sarah Charlesworth, Remedios Varo, Romaine Brooks, Judy Chicago, Graciela Iturbide, Julie Taymor, and Faith Ringgold. She also guided the museum through a $67.5 million renovation, completed in 2023, which transformed its landmark 1908 building through major improvements to its façade, interior spaces, and infrastructure. Enlarged and flexible galleries now feature more work in innovative presentations that were not previously possible. Sterling oversaw the museum’s globally recognized #5WomenArtists campaign and the Women, Arts, and Social Change public programs initiative, both of which have influenced conversations about gender equity well beyond the art world.

Sterling also has led the museum’s partnerships with international institutions such as the Louvre, Paris; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; the Museum of Fine Arts Ghent; the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg; and Tate Modern, London, as well as establishing future partnerships with the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha; and the National Portrait Gallery, London. Under her leadership, NMWA has had a global impact, catalyzing a movement for gender equity in the arts that has inspired others, including writer and podcaster Katy Hessel and Making Their Mark founder Komal Shah. Sterling has received Orders of Merit from both Brazil and Norway and the President’s Award from the Women’s Caucus for Art; she was also named among ArtTable’s 30 most influential professional women in the visual arts.

“For decades, Susan’s accomplishments have made a major impact, strengthening the museum’s standing in the art world, growing our support, and reaching larger and more diverse audiences,” said Susan Goldberg, President of the NMWA Board of Trustees. “She has celebrated female artists and given them a unique platform, transforming NMWA into an institution that’s been ahead of its time, and on a strong path toward the future.”

“When I took up the mantle from Mrs. Holladay, I was driven to build an institution for today and tomorrow,” said Sterling. “NMWA is an institution where women’s voices are heard and diverse stories are told through exhibitions and programs that inspire and motivate us to create a more just and inclusive world. Leading the museum has been an immense privilege, and I am proud to have been part of expanding the art historical canon and our public discourse around women’s creative accomplishments in the 21st century.”

Sterling will retire from her position on December 31, 2026, but will remain with the institution as a consultant for several months, supporting a seamless transition and ensuring a strong continuity. The Board of Trustees has begun a search process for NMWA’s next director, retaining respected firm Howe-Lewis International to help in the process. Details and a celebration of Sterling’s legacy will be announced in the coming months.

The announcement comes as the museum prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year. Sterling leaves NMWA with momentum and purpose. At a moment when cultural institutions are under pressure and gender inequity persists, the museum stands firmly in its mission, ready for a vibrant future.

National Museum of Women in the Arts

NMWA is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts. With its collections, exhibitions, programs and online content, the museum inspires dynamic exchanges about art and ideas. NMWA advocates for better representation of women and nonbinary artists and serves as a vital center for thought leadership, community engagement and social change. NMWA addresses the gender imbalance in the presentation of art by bringing to light important women artists of the past while promoting great women artists working today. The collection highlights a wide range of works in a variety of mediums by artists including Rosa Bonheur, Louise Bourgeois, Lalla Essaydi, Lavinia Fontana, Frida Kahlo, Hung Liu, Zanele Muholi, Faith Ringgold, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Amy Sherald.

NMWA is Located at 1250 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Mondays and select holidays. Admission is $16 for adults; $13 for DC residents, visitors 65 and over, students and educators, active-duty military and veterans, and visitors with a Native/Tribal affiliation; and free for visitors 21 and under, visitors with disabilities, and SNAP/EBT card holders. Admission is free the first Sunday and second Wednesday of each month. For information, call 202-783-5000, visit nmwa.org, Broad Strokes blog, Facebook, or Instagram.

Media Contact

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Katrina Weber Ashour, kweber@nmwa.org