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Glenn Lowry, the longest-serving director of New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), has announced his decision to step down after 30 years at the helm. The 69-year-old art leader, who has transformed MoMA into a global cultural institution, will vacate his position in September 2025. Lowry shared his thoughts with the New York Times, explaining that his decision to leave was driven by the feeling that it was "the right moment" to do so.
During his tenure, Lowry led the museum through significant expansions, both physically and in its influence on American cultural life. MoMA's gallery space increased by nearly 50% during his time, first with an ambitious renovation in 2004, and again with a $450-million revamp in 2019. Under Lowry's leadership, MoMA's endowment grew substantially, securing its financial future and allowing the museum to broaden its collection and curatorial scope to include diverse and contemporary art forms.
Lowry also played a major role in merging MoMA with the P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center in Queens in 2000, further expanding the museum's reach and influence. He became a public figure in his own right, even topping the ArtReview Power 100 list in 2019, a recognition of his leadership in the global art world.
The museum, which sees millions of visitors each year, ranks as the third-most-visited art museum in the U.S. after the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Lowry's time at MoMA has been marked not just by architectural growth, but also by a focus on social issues through exhibitions and commissions. He used the platform of contemporary art to address topics like migration, exemplifying how art can engage with and reflect the challenges of modern society.
Lowry's departure opens one of the most prestigious positions in the art world, and MoMA has yet to announce any details regarding the search for his successor. Lowry, who also holds positions on boards at the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and India's Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, has not commented on whether he plans to step down from those roles.
As he looks forward to his final year at MoMA, Lowry leaves a lasting legacy, having transformed the institution into a globally recognized hub for modern and contemporary art.
