Atlanta Contemporary Announces Lauren Haynes as New Executive Director

Acclaimed Curator and Museum Leader Returns to Atlanta to Guide Next Chapter of Beloved Contemporary Art Institution

ATLANTA, GA, February 9, 2026 – Atlanta Contemporary announces Lauren Haynes as its next Executive Director, effective March 16, 2026. Haynes brings more than two decades of distinguished curatorial and leadership experience from preeminent arts institutions across the United States, including Governors Island, the Queens Museum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and Studio Museum in Harlem.

“Lauren’s exceptional track record of curating transformative exhibitions while building institutional capacity makes her the ideal leader for this moment,” said Amanda Rhein, Acting Board Chair of Atlanta Contemporary. “Her ability to champion artists, expand community partnerships and advance organizational sustainability aligns perfectly with the goals outlined in our Strategic Plan. We are thrilled to welcome her leadership.”

Haynes joins Atlanta Contemporary from Governors Island Arts, where she served as Vice President of Arts & Culture and Head Curator at the Trust for Governors Island. In this role, she developed and led the Island's cultural programming and oversaw public art projects. She collaborated closely with the CEO, board members, and foundation staff on fundraising strategies to cultivate support and significantly expand the Island's arts programming and public profile.

“We congratulate Atlanta Contemporary on selecting Lauren Haynes as their next Executive Director!” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “Lauren has made terrific contributions to Governors Island Arts during her tenure, and we're grateful for her leadership in curating new works and creating engaging cultural experiences for all. We can’t wait to see all she accomplishes in Atlanta and look forward to announcing our 2026 arts season in the coming weeks.”

Prior to Governors Island, Haynes served as Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs at the Queens Museum, where she led the exhibitions and adult public programs teams. She was the institutional curator for the only U.S. venue of “Tracey Rose: Shooting Down Babylon” and co-curated “Lyle Ashton Harris: Our first and last love," which received a project grant from the Teiger Foundation in 2024.

From 2016 to 2021, Haynes held leadership positions at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and its contemporary arts space, the Momentary, in Bentonville, Arkansas. As Director of Artist Initiatives and Curator of Contemporary Art, she spearheaded visual arts programming at the Momentary , overseeing a $1 million visual arts budget and developing an artist residency program. At Crystal Bridges, she co-curated “The Beyond: Georgia O'Keeffe and Contemporary Art” and oversaw contemporary art acquisitions for the Museum's Art Committee, successfully acquiring major works by Emma Amos, Firelei Baez, Leonardo Drew, Melvin Edwards, Sam Gilliam, Titus Kaphar, Amy Sherald, and other significant contemporary artists.

Earlier in her career, Haynes spent a decade at the Studio Museum in Harlem, where she rose from Curatorial Assistant to Associate Curator of the Permanent Collection. During this time, she curated and co-curated dozens of exhibitions featuring world-renowned artists, including major solo presentations of Alma Thomas and Stanley Whitney. From 2011 to 2014, she oversaw the Studio Museum's influential Artist-in-Residence program. Her exhibitions at the Studio Museum include “Speaking of People: Ebony, Jet and Contemporary Art” and “The Bearden Project.”

“I am deeply honored to return to Atlanta and lead Atlanta Contemporary at this transformative moment,” said Haynes. “One of my earliest experiences in the arts began here as an undergraduate summer intern at City Gallery East, and that formative experience continues to shape my commitment to accessibility and community-driven programming. Atlanta Contemporary's dedication to championing artists, fostering creative experimentation, and ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented resonates strongly with my own values and practice. I am excited to work alongside the talented staff, board, and extended community to advance the organization's mission, expand its impact, and create meaningful connections between artists and audiences across Atlanta and beyond.”

Haynes holds a B.A. in Art History with a minor in African American Studies from Oberlin College. She is a 2018 Fellow of the Center for Curatorial Leadership and serves on the board of the Association of Art Museum Curators, where she previously held the position of Vice President of Fundraising. Haynes is also a member of the Visiting Committee of the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin. Her writing has appeared in BOMB Magazine, and she has contributed essays to numerous exhibition catalogs and monographs. She has served on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, Creative Capital, and the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, among others.

Haynes assumes leadership of Atlanta Contemporary during a period of significant momentum for the organization. With the recent launch of its Strategic Plan, ongoing exhibitions featuring innovative contemporary artists, and a thriving Studio Artist Program, Atlanta Contemporary continues to serve as a vital hub for contemporary art in the Southeast. Under Haynes' leadership, the organization will focus on defining its role in the Atlanta contemporary art scene at a critical time for the visual arts for the city through expanding the impact of dynamic exhibitions and programs, increasing its support for artists at all career stages, and strengthening its role as an accessible, welcoming space for the community.

Haynes succeeds Everett Long, who provided crucial leadership as Interim Executive Director, during the transition period in collaboration with the committed staff. “We are deeply grateful to Everett for his steady guidance, institutional knowledge, and dedication during this important time,” said Rhein. The Board of Directors conducted a comprehensive national search, reviewing candidates from across the country.