Director

Toby Devan Lewis Director, New Museum

Organisation: New Museum
Location: New York City, USA
Contract Type: Full-time, permanent
Salary: $500,000 – $700,000
Application Process: Via Isaacson, Miller

About the New Museum

The New Museum’s mission is simply “New Art, New Ideas.” Since its founding in 1977, the Museum has consistently made history by leaning into the future and is known for its experimentation, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. Unafraid to commit to the unexpected and reposition the previously familiar, it is recognized for bold thinking and execution and has become internationally known for its adventurous programming.

The Museum focuses on emerging and historically underrecognized voices who define this cultural moment and is often the first museum to give artists major museum presentations. It challenges the perceived institutionalization of art museums while promoting the free exchange of ideas at the forefront of contemporary art.

The New Museum opened its SANAA-designed building on the Bowery in 2007 and has presented over 175 exhibitions featuring more than 700 artists from 70+ countries, alongside 2,000+ public programs reaching over one million people annually worldwide.

An avowedly non-collecting institution, the New Museum is defined by its programming, distinguished by its global scope, commissioning of new works, and focus on living artists.

Art & Technology Initiatives

The Museum has long operated at the intersection of art and technology:

• Rhizome (affiliate since 2003): supports born-digital art and culture through commissions, preservation, and discourse.
• NEW INC (launched 2014): the first museum-led incubator supporting creative practitioners working across art, design, and technology.
• New Museum Digital Archive: a 7,500-item database providing access to primary materials from exhibitions and programs.

Expansion and Future Vision

In Spring 2026, the Museum will open a 60,000 sq ft expansion designed by OMA / Rem Koolhaas and Shohei Shigematsu, doubling its size. The expansion will include:

• Expanded exhibition spaces
• Artist studios and media labs
• Fabrication and collaborative workspaces
• New education and public programme spaces
• Outdoor plaza and restaurant

This marks a major institutional transformation ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2027.

The Role: Toby Devan Lewis Director

The Toby Devan Lewis Director is the chief executive of the New Museum, responsible for:

• Setting and advancing the institutional vision
• Ensuring fiscal and organisational health
• Upholding the Museum’s mission and values
• Leading operations, fundraising, and public profile
• Working closely with the Board, leadership team, artists, and donors

The Director oversees all aspects of the Museum’s activities, including its expanded facilities, staff, partnerships, and strategic direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership for a globally recognised institution
• Oversee daily operations, administration, and financial management
• Lead fundraising efforts and donor relations
• Maintain and expand international partnerships
• Support curatorial programmes and artistic innovation
• Represent the Museum publicly and internationally

Qualifications and Characteristics

The successful candidate will bring:

• A strong commitment to contemporary art and new ideas
• A track record of innovation, risk-taking, and experimentation
• Senior leadership experience within cultural institutions
• Proven success in fundraising and relationship-building
• Financial and operational management expertise
• Experience working with boards and governance structures
• Strong communication and public-facing skills
• A collaborative, transparent, and accountable leadership style
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility

Compensation and Location

This is a full-time, permanent position based in New York City.
Salary range: $500,000 – $700,000.