The Board of Trustees of the Wichita Art Museum is pleased to announce the selection of Anne Kraybill as the museum’s Director/Chief Executive Officer. Kraybill currently serves as The Richard M. Scaife Director/CEO at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She starts at WAM on August 15, 2022.

During her four-year tenure, Kraybill diversified The Westmoreland’s collections and temporary exhibition program, developed strong partnerships and increased programming by 80% to reach new audiences, and eliminated the suggested donation fee to ensure equitable access for all. Under her leadership, she implemented a new strategic plan that centers on Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion and sets the vision for the future of The Westmoreland. Kraybill established innovative initiatives at the museum, including The Just Arts Billboard Project in partnership with The Westmoreland Diversity Coalition, which used billboards as a platform for artists to create work rooted in social justice. Kraybill also created the Audience Growth and Engagement Fund, a $2.5 million endowment to support growing and diversifying audiences.

“This was a rare opportunity for the right individual to take the helm of a vibrant and healthy organization and steer it into the future,” said Martha Linsner, who as chair of WAM’s Board of Trustees served as chair of the museum’s Search Committee. “It was a unanimous Search Committee decision to bring forth Anne Kraybill, a strategic and entrepreneurial leader, to develop and articulate a vision for the museum’s next chapter. Anne understands how the arts, and museums specifically, enhance a community and the lives of its citizens. We are excited that she chose to join the Wichita Art Museum in the next stage of its journey, and that she is allowing us to be a part of the next stage of her museum career.”

Prior to her director role at The Westmoreland, Kraybill was the Director of Education and Research in Learning at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, where she oversaw Public Programs, School and Teacher Programs, Guide Program, Access and Inclusive Programs, and Research and Evaluation Departments, which served more than 200,000 participants annually. Additionally, she established the Windgate Fund, a $15 million endowment to advance initiatives and research in pre-K-12 learning and the intersection of visual arts. She also has held leadership roles at the Durham Arts Council in Durham, North Carolina, the Vero Beach Museum of Art in Vero Beach, Florida, and the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“I am honored to have been selected as the next Director & CEO of the Wichita Art Museum and am excited to work closely with its talented team and such a vibrant community in charting a path for the next phase of the organization,” Kraybill said. “I’m thrilled to be back in the heartland, and my family and I can’t wait to get to know Wichita.”

Kraybill is a graduate of the Museum Leadership Institute (2018) and National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program (2020). She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography from Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, a Master of Arts degree in museum education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Master of Science degree in instructional technology from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.

Kraybill is available for media interviews. Call Teresa Veazey, public relations manager, at 316-268-4985 or email pr@wam.org.