Lisa Phillips, who has served as the director of the New Museum in Manhattan since 1999, will conclude her leadership role next spring. The museum confirmed Phillips's retirement on Thursday, September 25, stating her tenure will end with her current contract in April 2026. This announcement follows a period of significant growth and transformation for the institution, including a major expansion project.
Key Takeaways
- Lisa Phillips will retire as New Museum Director in April 2026.
- Her 26-year tenure saw the museum move to a new purpose-built Bowery location.
- The museum is completing an $82 million expansion, doubling exhibition space.
- Phillips will become 'director emeritus' and curate a Bowery-focused exhibition.
- She mentored new talent and expanded the museum's global influence.
A Legacy of Growth and Expansion
When Lisa Phillips first joined the New Museum 26 years ago, the institution operated from a rented space in Manhattan's Soho district. This early location reflected the museum's more modest beginnings. Under Phillips's guidance, the museum embarked on a strategic relocation and expansion plan, mirroring shifts in New York's contemporary art scene.
The museum first moved to Chelsea, occupying a rented space within the former Chelsea Art Museum. This was a temporary step towards a more permanent home. A significant milestone occurred in late 2007 when the New Museum opened its purpose-built facility on the Bowery. This building, designed by the renowned architecture firm Sanaa, marked a new era for the institution.
Fast Fact: The Bowery Building
The New Museum's iconic Bowery building, designed by Sanaa, opened its doors in 2007. It quickly became a landmark for contemporary art in downtown Manhattan.
Currently, the Bowery building has been closed to the public since last year. This closure is for the construction of an $82 million expansion project located next-door. Designed by Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas of OMA with Cooper Robertson, this expansion will double the museum's exhibition space. The museum is scheduled to reopen this autumn, an event that will serve as a crowning achievement for Phillips's long and impactful leadership.
"The reopening of this expanded campus presents the ideal moment to pass the baton to a new generation of leaders who will guide the institution into its next chapter," Phillips stated. "I am immensely proud of all the work we have accomplished together, taking our future-forward institution into a new era with a strong foundation, a vibrant and diverse audience, and an expanded complex of two contiguous buildings that will enable ever more ambitious programming."
Future Role and Curatorial Endeavors
Upon stepping down from her director role, Lisa Phillips will assume the title of "director emeritus." This new position acknowledges her significant contributions and ongoing relationship with the museum. Her involvement will not end with her retirement from the directorship.
Phillips plans to curate an exhibition at the museum next year. This exhibition will focus on the artistic and cultural importance of the Bowery. The Bowery is a central thoroughfare on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Historically, it has been a hub for artists. Figures such as Brice Marden, Eva Hesse, Lynda Benglis, and Dash Snow have maintained studios there at various times, contributing to its rich artistic legacy.
The Bowery's Artistic Roots
The Bowery, a historic street in Lower Manhattan, has long been a significant location for artists and cultural movements. Its affordable spaces and vibrant street life attracted a diverse community of creatives, making it a focal point for artistic innovation and experimentation over many decades.
Expanding Influence and Nurturing Talent
Beyond increasing the museum's physical size, Phillips also led the New Museum through a period of significant influence in the art world. Her leadership helped solidify the institution's reputation as a globally recognized center for contemporary art and culture. The museum's staff includes notable figures such as artistic director Massimiliano Gioni, known for curating the central exhibition at the 2013 Venice Biennale.
Other key staff members include curator Vivian Crockett and senior curator Gary Carrion-Murayari. The museum also launched a highly regarded triennial exhibition in 2009. This triennial quickly became a closely watched event in the international art calendar. The sixth edition of the triennial is scheduled to open next year, with Vivian Crockett and Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand (MASP) curator Isabella Rjeille at the helm.
- Key Staff: Massimiliano Gioni (Artistic Director), Vivian Crockett (Curator), Gary Carrion-Murayari (Senior Curator).
- Major Initiative: Launched a successful triennial exhibition in 2009.
- Upcoming Event: Sixth triennial edition opening next year.
James Keith Brown, the president of the museum’s board, emphasized Phillips’s impact. He highlighted her role in creating both the flagship Sanaa building and the new OMA expansion. These projects, he noted, have transformed the museum into a global hub for contemporary art. The institution now prioritizes interdisciplinary entrepreneurship, resource sharing, and community engagement. According to Brown, the New Museum is a respected supporter of challenging and untested art, fostering new ideas and talent.
"Building on our roots as an experimental institution devoted to risk-taking, [Phillips] led the creation of our flagship Sanaa building on the Bowery as well as the OMA building currently rising next to it, catapulting our museum into a globally recognised hub of contemporary art and culture where interdisciplinary entrepreneurship, institutional resource sharing and community engagement are paramount," Brown stated. "We are now a closely watched supporter of challenging and untested art, incubating new ideas and talent. Along the way, Lisa has mentored a new generation of top talent in the field—including many women for whom she has set an exceptional example and who she continues to influence by sharing her considerable knowledge, insight and expertise."
Phillips's leadership has also been instrumental in mentoring new talent within the art field. She has particularly supported many women, setting an example through her extensive knowledge and expertise. Her influence extends to shaping the next generation of art leaders, ensuring the museum's innovative spirit continues.