The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is set to undergo a significant change as Director Glenn D. Lowry recently announced his decision to step down from his position in 2025. Lowry has been at the helm of the institution for three decades, overseeing various developments and expansions during his tenure.
Lowry took on the role of director at MoMA in 1995, following a successful stint as the director of the Art Gallery of Ontario. One of the major projects under his leadership was the selection of Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi to design a major expansion of the museum, which aimed to restructure and double the exhibition space. This expansion project began in 2001 and was completed in late 2004, marking a significant milestone for the institution.
In 1999, Lowry collaborated with Alanna Heiss, the founder of the PS1 Contemporary Art Center in Long Island City, to facilitate a merger agreement that preserved the Queens space. The center was subsequently renamed MoMA PS1 in 2010 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the collaboration, further expanding the museum’s reach and impact.
Despite these successes, Lowry’s later years as director have been marred by controversies, including labor disputes and protests targeting various museum board members’ investments in controversial industries. In 2022, the museum faced backlash from staff members over stalled negotiations for union contracts, leading to pickets, walkouts, and protests during high-profile events. The museum offered job security to unionized employees in exchange for skipping salary or wage increases for two years, a move that was met with criticism from many employees who had already forgone raises due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Activist groups such as Decolonize This Place (DTP) and MoMA Divest have also led demonstrations targeting the museum’s sources of funding. Board members like Larry Fink and Steven Tananbaum have been the subject of protests calling out their connections to controversial industries and ventures. The Strike MoMA movement, in particular, gained significant attention for its 10-week campaign in 2021, which highlighted the museum’s ties to individuals involved in unethical practices.
As Lowry prepares to step down in 2025, the museum is expected to undergo a period of transition. The board will soon begin an international search for a new director to lead MoMA into its next chapter. Despite the controversies and challenges faced during Lowry’s tenure, the museum remains a vital cultural institution with a rich history and a commitment to showcasing contemporary art to a global audience.
