From the Met to the Midwest: Kelly Baum on Leading the Des Moines Art Center

In this episode of the ArtTactic Podcast, host Adam Green speaks with Kelly Baum, the John and Mary Pappajohn Director of the Des Moines Art Center. Formerly a curator of contemporary art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kelly made a bold move from New York to Iowa to take on the leadership of one of the country’s most dynamic regional museums. We discuss what motivated her decision to leave the Met, the unique history and vision of the Des Moines Art Center, and how the institution has built an exceptional collection by embracing risk-taking and innovation. Kelly shares insights into the transition from curator to director, the opportunities and challenges of leading a museum outside a major art hub, and the ways she’s working to maintain a strong local presence while ensuring the museum remains visible on the national stage. She also offers a preview of exciting upcoming exhibitions and reflects on what has surprised her most about Iowa’s art community.