Dr. Zoe Kahr has served as Executive Director of Memphis Art Museum (MAM) since 2022. Founded in 1916, MAM is the City of Memphis’ art museum and the largest and oldest museum in the Mid-South, with a collection of more than 10,000 objects spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity.

Under Dr. Kahr’s leadership, MAM has increased attendance by 40 percent and doubled its endowment. During her tenure, the museum has presented groundbreaking exhibitions, made significant acquisitions, and established transformative partnerships in Memphis and nationally. She has also led the coordination and execution of the museum’s move to its new downtown location, opening in December 2026.

Previously, Dr. Kahr served as Deputy Director for Curatorial and Planning at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the largest museum in the Western United States, where she oversaw the institution’s award-winning artistic program. During her tenure, she produced more than 300 exhibitions, developed international partnerships to bring LACMA projects abroad, and expanded access to the museum’s programs. She also oversaw the gallery design and curatorial planning for LACMA’s new 350,000-square-foot facility, which opened in 2026, and secured significant funding for the project.

Dr. Kahr currently serves as an Accreditation Visiting Committee Member and Museum Assessment Program Peer Reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums. She holds a BA in Art History, magna cum laude, and an MBA specializing in Nonprofit Management from Yale University, as well as a PhD in Art History from University College London.