Rising Young Museum Star Leaves Dallas for Executive Director Job in New York

Justine Ludwig Takes on Creative Time

By Natalie Gempel // Mar 29, 2018

Photography Charlie Rubin

Justine Ludwig is leaving her post at the Dallas Contemporary.

Justine Ludwig is leaving her post as deputy director and chief curator at Dallas Contemporary for the position of executive director at Creative Time, New York’s leading public art organization. She will soon relocate to the Big Apple before officially assuming the role on June 15, 2018.

Ludwig began at the Dallas Contemporary in early 2014, and has ushered in a number of important exhibitions over the past four years, including Pia Camil’s compelling “Bara, Bara, Bara,” among others. The curator and museum director also drove higher attendance numbers, committed to more diversified programming, and regularly contributed critical writing to international periodicals — including PaperCity.

Her appointment at Creative Time follows an extensive, nationwide, nine-month search for a new strategic leader. The New York-based non-profit presents boundary-pushing art in the public realm, and has produced over 350 public art projects since 1974. Creative Time is focused on working with artists to foster dialogues, debates and dreams of our time through their work.

“I have admired Creative Time, with its commitment to social justice and art within the public sphere, for many years,” Ludwig said in a statement. “I believe that art is one of the greatest tools we have access to in creating better communities, and am committed to a Creative Time that stays ahead of the curve and establishes the golden standard for the social impact of creative visions.”

Ludwig joins the organization during an exciting period of growth, as it prepares for Basilea, its first international commission in Basel, Switzerland this June, and Creative Time Summit in Miami this fall.

“We are thrilled to be working with Justine, whose commitment to social justice and devotion to the realization of artists’ dreams make her the perfect person to further Creative Time’s role as a leading voice in public art, both nationally and beyond,” said Jon Neidich, a Creative Time board member who headed up the search committee.