Seattle Art Museum Appoints New Chief Curator
Charting a New Course: Leadership at the Forefront of Art and Culture
A Prestigious New Appointment at the Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) has officially named Frank Feltens as its incoming chief curator. This key appointment follows the departure of José Carlos Diaz, who transitioned to the Peréz Art Museum Miami last October. Feltens is set to commence his duties on August 17, bringing a wealth of experience to the institution.
Feltens' Distinguished Career Path
Prior to joining SAM, Feltens served as the associate director for curatorial affairs and curator of Japanese art at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C. His journey at the Smithsonian began in 2016 as a postdoctoral fellow, and he steadily advanced to the associate director position in July 2025, underscoring his deep expertise and leadership capabilities in the field of Asian art.
Highlighting Curatorial Achievements
During his tenure at the National Museum of Asian Art, Feltens orchestrated several notable exhibitions. These included major thematic shows such as “Imagined Neighbors: Japanese Visions of China, 1680–1980,” scheduled for 2024, and “Mind Over Matter: Zen in Medieval Japan” in 2022. He also curated solo exhibitions, including “Hokusai: Mad about Painting” in 2021, and brought the collection-based exhibition “From Kiyochika to Hasui: Modern Japan in Prints and Photographs” to the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum in Tokyo.
Strategic Vision for SAM's Curatorial Direction
In his new capacity at SAM, Feltens will be at the helm of the museum's curatorial strategy. This encompasses overseeing exhibitions, managing collections, and guiding research initiatives across all three of SAM's distinct venues: the main Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and the expansive Olympic Sculpture Park, ensuring a unified and forward-thinking approach.
Leadership's Enthusiastic Endorsement of the New Curator
Scott Stulen, SAM's director and CEO, expressed immense confidence in Feltens' appointment, stating, “Frank embodies the visionary leadership essential for SAM at this pivotal juncture. His profound scholarship, collaborative spirit, and ambitious perspective on the evolving role of museums deeply impressed us. Throughout the selection process, Frank demonstrated remarkable curiosity, thorough preparation, and a genuine passion for Seattle, engaging with visitors in our galleries and offering insightful ideas on how SAM can build upon its strengths while fostering new opportunities for artists, audiences, and the broader community.”
Feltens' Alignment with the Museum's Community-Focused Mission
Reflecting on Stulen's strategic direction for the museum, Feltens shared his enthusiasm, remarking, “I've witnessed a sincere dedication to positioning SAM as a central hub for local communities, alongside an aspiration for innovative leadership within the museum sector. This represents a true ambition, rooted in authentic collaboration and thoughtful consideration, making this the perfect moment for me to join. I am eager to work with Scott and the team to realize this shared vision.”