National Museum of Women in the Arts Director Susan Fisher Sterling to Retire

"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. 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."

"Sterling joined the museum as an associate curator in 1988, just a year after it opened its doors. Over the decades, she rose through the ranks, serving as the curator of Modern and Contemporary art, chief curator, and deputy director, before becoming director in 2008."

"Under her leadership, the museum's collection expanded to more than 6,000 works by 1,000 artists, while its institutional partnerships have grown to include the Louvre in Paris, the State Hermitage Museum in Russia, and the Tate Modern in London. Sterling was also key in spearheading solo exhibitions by the likes of Judy Chicago, Remedios Varo, Carrie Mae Weems, Graciela Iturbide, and Faith Ringgold, as well as initiatives like NMWA's #5WomenArtists campaign in 2016."

"Sterling's retirement caps a nearly four-decade tenure at the museum, which was founded by collector Wilhelmina Cole Holladay as the first (and today, still the only) institution dedicated to women in the arts. In that time, Sterling has overseen the dramatic growth of the museum's collections and a $67.5 million renovation, completed in 2023."

Susan Fisher Sterling is retiring from her director role at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., at the end of the year. Her tenure began in 1988 as an associate curator, and she later served as curator of Modern and Contemporary art, chief curator, deputy director, and director starting in 2008. Under her leadership, the museum’s collection expanded to more than 6,000 works by 1,000 artists. Institutional partnerships grew to include the Louvre, the State Hermitage Museum, and Tate Modern. She helped spearhead solo exhibitions for major women artists and initiatives such as the #5WomenArtists campaign in 2016. A $67.5 million renovation completed in 2023 upgraded the museum’s building.

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