LOUISVILLE, KY.- The Speed Art Museum announced that Raphaela Platow, executive director since 2021, will conclude her tenure at the Museum later this year. Following four years of growth and evolution under her leadership, Platow has elected not to extend her contract when it ends on August 30th of this year. The board of directors is currently establishing a succession plan and is working closely with Platow to ensure a smooth transition.

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Under Platow’s leadership, the Speed revitalized its visitor experience and community focus through its programming, exhibitions, and permanent galleries, exploring broader narratives of art and culture and engaging with contemporary issues that reflect the Louisville community. During her tenure, Platow led the first major reinstallation of the permanent collection since 2016; brought on new curators to strengthen the Museum’s contemporary, Native American, and African collections and scholarship; and appointed a new senior leadership team to shape an institutional strategy that fosters transparency and nimbly responds to changes in the museum field as well as the Louisville community, making the Speed accessible and relevant for visitors to spark meaningful conversation and personal reflection.

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“Raphaela has made significant contributions to the Speed Art Museum during her tenure, including the forthcoming launch of our Speed Art Park this fall, and we appreciate her work in creating a space that welcomes everyone. She has been gracious in ensuring a smooth transition that benefits the Speed, museum staff and the community as a whole,” said John Crockett III, board chair.

Through major initiatives like the Speed Art Park, designed by Reed Hilderbrand Landscape Architecture and opening October 1, 2025, Platow has championed shaping inclusive spaces that serve as both a shared public gathering place and a beacon for creative expression, furthering her belief that art and the creative process contribute to the holistic wellbeing of people and communities.

Platow has played an important role in securing significant funding for the $22 million Art Park project and several million more to support exhibitions and initiatives to increase access. She also oversaw significant improvements to the Speed’s facilities, including the installation of a new roof, renovations to staff offices, and revitalized public spaces designed to create a more welcoming visitor experience.

In 2024, Platow worked with the Sam Gilliam Foundation to develop and launch the Speed’s Gilliam Visiting Artist Program, a new initiative designed to strengthen engagement with living artists, in recognition of Sam Gilliam’s commitment to the city of Louisville where he spent many of his formative years. In addition to the Program, which brings two artists to Louisville annually to create fellowship and new dialogues with Kentucky artists and community members, the initiative also includes the creation of the Sam Gilliam Assistant Curator of Artist Programs, a new full-time position working cross-departmentally with the Speed’s Curatorial and Learning, Engagement, and Belonging teams to facilitate programming and relationship-building with artists and communities in the region.

“Thanks to our incredible staff and board we have accomplished so much over the past four years, including making the Speed and its collection as accessible as possible for the people of Kentucky,” said Raphaela Platow. “We have seen tremendous growth and change during my time as Director, and that makes me confident that now is the right time to step back and allow the next leader to take the Speed into the future. I maintain my deep commitment to leadership development, shaping inclusive cultures and community-forward initiatives, and I will continue to champion the Speed’s programs and people as a supporter of its mission and the greater arts and cultural community in the region.”

Platow is working collaboratively with the museum board to assess current and upcoming projects, determine next steps, and ensure a smooth transition. The board will begin the search process for a new executive director immediately.