The Asia Society has announced the appointment of Yasufumi Nakamori as its new museum director and vice president of arts and culture. Nakamori, currently serving as the senior curator of international art at the Tate Museum network, will assume his new role in August. He will be responsible for overseeing the museum’s exhibitions, collection, and arts and culture programming.
The position of museum director had been vacant since June of last year when Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe left to assume the role of executive director at the Katonah Museum of Art. The Asia Society, founded by John D. Rockefeller in 1956, has since grown to become one of the country’s leading institutions focused on Asian art.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Nakamori stated, “I’m extremely excited about leading the next chapter of the Asia Society Museum and the global organization’s arts and culture program. I would like the museum to become the engine for expanding the scholarly and curatorial field of Asian and Asian diaspora art by looking at Asia’s relationship with the world throughout history.”
During his tenure at the Tate, Nakamori specialized in photography and played a pivotal role in developing the museum’s photography collection. He has also provided strategic management for photography and modern art programming at Tate Britain and has been actively involved in various initiatives on Asian and Asian diaspora art.
Asia Society trustee Emily Rafferty, who co-chaired the search committee, praised Nakamori as a leader who would emphasize the significance of Asian art and artists in global visual culture. Rafferty said, “The search committee is delighted that he is joining at this critical juncture for Asia Society and for museums, as they redefine what it means to be an engaged and relevant museum today.”
Prior to his tenure at the Tate, Nakamori held positions at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and Rice University. He also has a background in law, having practiced corporate law in Tokyo and New York City. Nakamori’s extensive experience and expertise in Asian art and culture make him an ideal choice to lead the Asia Society’s museum and further its mission.
With his diverse background and commitment to expanding the understanding of Asian and Asian diaspora art, Nakamori’s appointment brings a fresh perspective and vision to the Asia Society Museum. As the institution approaches a new chapter, it aims to solidify its position as a premier destination for Asian art and continue fostering cross-cultural dialogue through its exhibitions and programming.