WESTPORT, CONN.- The Museum of Contemporary Art \ Connecticut announced the appointment of Robin Jaffee Frank, PhD, as its next Executive Director. A highly respected senior museum leader and cultural visionary, Dr. Frank brings decades of museum, academic, and public-engagement experience to MoCA\CT at a pivotal moment in the institution’s evolution. She will begin her tenure on January 1, 2026.
Dr. Frank’s appointment ushers in a new chapter of strategic focus, creative momentum, and bold artistic ambition. Building on the dedication of the MoCA\CT Board and team, she will guide the Museum into its next phase with a focus on curatorial excellence, operational strength, greater visibility, and deeper community engagement.
“This is an exciting moment for MoCA\CT,” said Board of Directors President Jodi Felton. “Robin is an innovative leader whose strategic expertise will position the Museum for long-term success. Her arrival marks the start of a vibrant new era for the institution and the communities we serve.”
A familiar presence at MoCA\CT through her service on the Visual Arts Advisory Committee, Dr. Frank brings an exceptional record of leadership at major cultural institutions. She previously served as Chief Curator and Kriebel Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, and earlier as a curator at the Yale University Art Gallery, where she led dynamic exhibitions, managed large curatorial teams, and collaborated closely with educators, designers, conservators, and librarians.
Her acclaimed exhibition and award-winning book Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland, 1861–2008 exemplify her ability to create ambitious, multidisciplinary projects that engage wide audiences. The exhibition traveled nationally, earned significant press attention, increased attendance and membership at the Wadsworth Atheneum, and garnered exceptional grant support—including special designations from the National Endowment for the Humanities for its commitment to inclusion, diversity, and public engagement.
Dr. Frank has also served as a grant reviewer for the Terra Foundation for American Art, taught at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, curated exhibitions and guided programs for the New York Historical Society and Silvermine Arts Center, and organized exhibitions at museums throughout the US, lectured extensively, and published widely on American visual culture and its intersections with contemporary issues.
“MoCA\CT is at a pivotal transitional moment, and I am honored to help shape its future,” said Dr. Frank. “The Museum has extraordinary potential—to spark dialogue, expand access to the arts, and bring people together. I look forward to collaborating with the Board, Advisory Committees, my new colleagues, and especially the community to build a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable future for this remarkable institution. In this role, I will chart a strategic path forward that prioritizes curatorial and operational excellence, a healthy revenue mix, and a marketing and communications strategy to raise the Museum’s profile and increase attendance.”
The Board is deeply grateful to MoCA\CT Board Member Pamela Hovland, who served as Acting Executive Director with dedication during a critical period and helped stabilize, support, and lead the Museum during the search process. She will continue to serve on the Board, chair the Visual Arts Advisory Committee, and direct the Museum’s visual brand identity.
With Dr. Frank’s appointment, MoCA\CT enters 2026 with renewed confidence, momentum, and a clear vision for its future.
