Dr. Darrell Beauchamp, executive director of the Museum of Western Art, was elected president of Museums West: The Western Museums of North America during the organization’s annual meeting in Fort Worth.
Beauchamp was elected to a two-year term and succeeds Seth Hopkins, former director of the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia.
Founded in 1998, Museums West is a consortium dedicated to interpreting the art, history and cultures of the American West. The organization has grown from 10 member institutions to 25 museums in 13 states.
Member institutions include the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, the Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis and the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana.
Beauchamp said he considers the appointment an honor.
“This past year, MoWA was named the No. 1 Western art museum in the country, so to be leading this collaborative group of prestigious institutions aligns with that as another significant honor,” he said.
He said he hopes to work with leaders from the member museums to expand collaboration and public access.
“Our 25 member museums offer world-class galleries, Indigenous art and historical artifacts,” Beauchamp said. “We look forward to sharing resources, developing a website and expanding access through reciprocal memberships.”
The organization is funded through member dues and works with a team manager based in Georgia who coordinates meetings and consortium projects.
Beauchamp has spent more than four decades working in museum management at major Western art institutions. He has served as executive director of the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville for the past seven years.
The Museum of Western Art is located at 1550 Bandera Highway in Kerrville.
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