Brett Littman Appointed Director of MCA San Diego

A Visionary Leader Takes the Helm at MCA San Diego

Introducing the New Director: Brett Littman's Return to San Diego

Brett Littman, a highly respected leader in the art community, has been chosen to guide the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego as its new Director and Chief Executive. This appointment marks his return to a city with personal significance, as he previously studied at the University of California, San Diego. Littman is scheduled to begin his new role this October, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the region's artistic landscape.

A Legacy of Leadership: Littman's Extensive Institutional Experience

As the fifth director in the museum's 85-year history, Littman succeeds Kathryn Kanjo, who departed in January after 15 years of service to lead the newly integrated UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art. Littman’s selection followed a comprehensive six-month nationwide search. His distinguished career spans three decades in New York, where he held pivotal positions at esteemed institutions, including development roles at the Brooklyn Center for the Arts and UrbanGlass, co-executive director at Dieu Donné, deputy director of MoMA PS1, executive director at the Drawing Center, and director of the Noguchi Museum.

Board's Vision: Balancing Artistic Ambition with Organizational Excellence

Maryanne Pfister, president of the MCA San Diego board, expressed strong confidence in Littman's capabilities, stating, “Brett is a visionary museum leader whose experience spans some of the country’s most respected contemporary art institutions. His ability to balance artistic ambition with organizational leadership, combined with his past personal connection to San Diego, makes him exceptionally well-positioned to guide the Museum into its next era.” This sentiment underscores the board's belief in Littman's capacity to drive both artistic innovation and institutional growth.

Impactful Tenures: Transformations at The Drawing Center and The Noguchi Museum

During his 11-year leadership at the Drawing Center, Littman significantly enhanced the institution, successfully recruiting 15 new board members and spearheading an $11 million capital campaign. This initiative led to the renovation and expansion of its historically landmarked space in SoHo. Following this, at the Noguchi Museum, he impressively doubled the budget to $9 million within five years and restructured the organization, achieving $8 million in annual revenue. These accomplishments highlight his strategic acumen and fundraising prowess.

Strategic Consulting and Renewed Connection: Littman's Recent Endeavors

After concluding his directorship at the Noguchi in 2023, Littman established Shakkei Consultants. This firm provides expert advice to museums, foundations, and estates on critical areas such as strategy, governance, fundraising, and public engagement. Additionally, he served for a year as the senior director for the Americas at Carpenters Workshop Gallery, a design-focused institution. Littman articulated his personal connection to his new role, saying, “My connection to San Diego is deeply personal. The exhibitions and public programs at the Museum were foundational to my understanding of contemporary art when I was a student at UCSD and in many ways led to my eventual career in the field. The opportunity to return to an institution that shaped my own intellectual and professional growth is incredibly meaningful.”

A Transformed Institution: MCA San Diego's Recent Expansion and Future Aspirations

The MCA San Diego reopened its doors in 2022 after a three-year closure dedicated to a transformative $105 million expansion. This ambitious project, initiated in 2014 and masterminded by Selldorf Architects, effectively doubled the museum's overall footprint and quadrupled its gallery space. Concurrently with the expansion, the museum significantly grew its permanent collection, which now boasts over 5,700 works created after 1950. Littman articulated his vision for the museum's future, stating, “The opportunity ahead is to translate this extraordinary physical transformation into broader civic, artistic, educational, and philanthropic impact. MCASD has the chance to define itself as a museum that is not only unique within Southern California, but useful, engaged, and essential to interpreting contemporary culture and the future of this region.”