Columbia Museum of Art appoints new executive director
July 9, 2026
Dr. Laura Mueller joins the team on August 3
The board of trustees of the Columbia Museum of Art announces the appointment of Laura J. Mueller, Ph.D., as the museum’s new executive director. Mueller most recently served as the interim executive director of the New Mexico Museum of Art and Vladem Contemporary in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She officially takes the helm as executive director on August 3, 2026.
“The CMA board of trustees is delighted to welcome Dr. Mueller to the museum,” says Therese Griffin, board president. “In addition to her well-rounded museum management and curatorial experiences, the board was drawn to her strong world view, cultural leadership, and work around strengthening museums through strategic positioning and capacity building.”
The appointment culminates an extensive seven-month search that drew interest from both national and international candidates. Upon the announcement of the former executive director’s departure in October of last year, the CMA board of trustees formed a search committee to thoughtfully identify a new executive director. Led by Ann Marie Stieritz, board vice president, the committee secured the Boston-based firm Museum Search & Reference, which specializes in museum leadership recruitment, on December 31. The search launched in late January.
“We celebrated the CMA’s 75th anniversary in 2025 and the reinstallation of its impressive art collection this year, so Dr. Mueller will assume leadership at a pivotal moment in the museum’s history,” says Griffin. “We look forward to embracing her vision as she guides the CMA to the next level for strategic growth and sustainability.”
Mueller is a museum executive, curator, and art historian with more than 20 years of leadership experience in art museums and cultural institutions. She has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, led major fundraising initiatives and capital projects, curated nationally recognized exhibitions, and cultivated strategic partnerships that expand community engagement. An internationally recognized scholar of Japanese art, she has published extensively and lived and conducted research in Japan for more than six years. Mueller holds a Bachelor of Arts in international economics from Gustavus Adolphus College, a Master of Arts in arts administration and a Master of Business Administration, both from Southern Methodist University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in history of art from the University of Wisconsin.
“I believe museums have the power to inspire curiosity, foster empathy, and bring people together through shared experiences,” says Mueller. “I am excited to work alongside the board, staff, members, donors, artists, and our community to ensure the Columbia Museum of Art continues to be a welcoming, dynamic, and inspiring cultural resource for generations to come.”
Photo courtesy of Haus of Portraits, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
About the CMA
The Columbia Museum of Art is a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to lifelong learning and community enrichment for all. Located in the heart of downtown Columbia, S.C., the CMA ranks among the leading art institutions in the country and is distinguished by its innovative exhibitions and creative educational programs. At the heart of the CMA and its programs is its collection, which encompasses 7,000 works and spans 5,000 years of art history. Established in 1950, the CMA now welcomes more than 150,000 visitors annually and is a catalyst for community creativity and education, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds. It is the recipient of a National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a National Art Education Association award for its contributions to arts education, a National Park Foundation Award, and three Governor’s Awards for the Arts for outstanding contributions to the arts in South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.columbiamuseum.org.
