The Katonah Museum of Art hired Darsie Alexander away from the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, where she was Chief Curator. She started as the KMA's Executive Director March 1.
"Ms. Alexander has a proven track record of producing multi-disciplinary exhibitions that are significant for their artistic merit and great fun to experience," wrote artdaily.com when her appointment was announced in January. "People still talk about the interactive sculpture exhibition, Franz West: To Build a House You Start with the Roof, presented at the Baltimore Museum of Art and, more recently, the Walker’s Benches & Binoculars, where visitors sat on chaise lounges and leaned back with binoculars, to look at the works mounted high on the walls."
Here's a quick get-to-know-you interview she did for Patch.
What's your morning routine?
It’s pretty standard. My nighttime optimism (bag packed for morning workout) never quite materializes, so I revert to the same drill: shower, hot beverage, outfit, off to work. When I get in the car I'm reminded of getting my plates changed to NY. Driving here with Minnesota plates can be dangerous.
What do you do for a living? And what's the best thing about your job?
Executive Director, Katonah Museum of Art. The best aspect of my job is thinking about the future.
What's the hardest?
Difficult to answer – it’s all feeling fresh and exciting.
How long have you lived here?
Six weeks.
What's your favorite thing about living here?
Proximity – to New York, to longstanding friends, and to my roots in New England.
If you had to arrange a secret meeting here, where would you have it?
The American Legion.
Tell us something about yourself that most of your neighbors don't know.
I like shopping at malls (sorry, it’s a guilty pleasure).
When you want a really indulgent snack here, where do you go and what do you get?
(I have no idea how to answer this. I don’t get snacks here yet).
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Ask for forgiveness, not permission. In other words, when you are passionate about something, don’t worry too much about what other people think. If it’s a great idea, they’ll forgive you.
What are you doing after this interview?
We have a staff meeting.
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