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Birmingham Museum of Art Appointed Interim Director

The Birmingham Museum of Art named Chantal Drake as interim director following Graham C. Boettcher's departure.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration showing a series of stacked, clean-lined gallery partitions, representing an institutional leadership transition.
The Birmingham Museum of Art has appointed Chantal Drake as its interim director following the departure of longtime leader Graham C. Boettcher. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Chantal Drake assumed the role of interim director at the Birmingham Museum of Art on August 1, 2026. This appointment followed the resignation of Graham C. Boettcher, who served as the institution's director and CEO for 20 years.

Why it matters

The leadership change comes as the Birmingham Museum of Art marks its 75th anniversary. The museum board is currently overseeing a search process to select a permanent director and CEO to lead the institution into its next chapter.

The institution is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary. The museum's active Roll Call exhibition features 99 distinct works of Black American art.

The players

Chantal Drake

She is the interim director of the Birmingham Museum of Art and previously served as the museum's deputy director.

Graham C. Boettcher

He served as the director and CEO of the Birmingham Museum of Art for two decades before leaving to lead the Norman Rockwell Museum.

Birmingham Museum of Art

This cultural institution in Alabama is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary and managing a leadership transition.

Norman Rockwell Museum

Located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, this museum is the new professional home for Graham C. Boettcher.

The details

Chantal Drake, who previously served as the museum's deputy director since January 2023, was tapped by the board to lead the institution. Meanwhile, former leader Graham C. Boettcher has transitioned to a new role heading the Norman Rockwell Museum.

Timeline

  1. January 2023: Chantal Drake began her tenure as deputy director.

  2. August 1, 2026: Chantal Drake officially became interim director.

  3. January 17, 2027: The Roll Call exhibition is scheduled to conclude.

  4. 2027: The museum plans to launch the From Scratch exhibition.

Market Landscape

Museum leadership transitions often trigger shifts in institutional priorities and long-term acquisition strategies. The Birmingham Museum of Art's ongoing repatriation efforts follow the mandates set by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Visitors to the Birmingham Museum of Art can expect business as usual during the leadership transition, including the ongoing exhibition schedule. Programming will continue as planned through the museum's 75th anniversary year.

The takeaway

The Birmingham Museum of Art remains focused on its operational goals and current exhibition calendar during this management change. Residents can continue to access the museum's collections and participate in planned events as the search for permanent leadership proceeds.

Further reading

For more information on local cultural leadership, visit the People section.

More information

Learn more about upcoming exhibitions on the Birmingham Museum of Art official website.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Birmingham Times.

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