Soon, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art will have a new leader.
Andrew J. Walker, who has served as the museum鈥檚 executive director for 14 years, will step down from his post next week.
鈥淎 particular highlight for me has been our expanded engagement with the communities we serve, and the relationships we have built with our partners and supporters,鈥� Walker said in a news release.
During Walker鈥檚 tenure the museum began its , underwent a major renovation that expanded and improved the museum鈥檚 galleries and acquired artwork by several artists, including more than 10 indigenous photographers.
Karen Hixon is the president of the museum鈥檚 board and the daughter of Ruth Carter Stevenson, who helped found the museum.
鈥淎ndrew came to understand her passion and vision and continued to ably lead the Museum through the transition years and beyond,鈥� Hixon said in a news release. 鈥淲e are grateful for all he has done to set the Carter on such a strong path for its future.鈥�
Last fall, the museum also faced criticism for its decision to . 鈥淐owboy鈥� was described by the museum as an exhibition that sought to 鈥渄isrupt the homogeneous ideal of the cowboy as a white, cisgender American male.鈥� When the exhibition reopened, it had a 鈥渕ature content鈥� label.
The museum never explained what works within the show it considered mature or why, but Rafa Esparza, an artist whose painting of two cowboys kissing on the dance floor was in the exhibition, described the decision and lack of communication as a form of 鈥渃ensorship.鈥�
鈥淲hat would it feel like for an artist if someone came in and said, 鈥楬ey, I鈥檇 love to invite you to see the show, but I have to warn you, you're going to see a painting of a Black cowboy.鈥� Like, how does that warrant a mature content disclaimer, right?鈥� Esparza said in a February talk at the museum.
鈥淎nd, like, 鈥業 want to show you this incredible 鈥楥owboy鈥� exhibit and at the Amon Carter, but, just warning you, you're going to see a woman riding a horse.鈥� 鈥� If you describe all of the works in the show it becomes very absurd.鈥�
A search for the museum鈥檚 new executive director will begin soon. Scott Wilcox, the museum鈥檚 chief operating officer, will lead the Carter in the interim.
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