- April 20, 2024
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By: The Museum of Arts & Sciences
The Museum of Arts and Sciences announced this week that it has appointed Tabitha Schmidt as the next executive director, succeeding Interim Executive Director Maria Hane and former Executive Director Andrew Sandall.
“After a nationwide search we have unanimously selected Tabitha Schmidt as our choice for the next Executive Director of the Museum of Arts and Sciences,” said Katherine Hurst Miller, MOAS board of trustees president. “Tabitha comes to MOAS with a proven record of leadership, collaboration, passion for museums, and community involvement. The MOAS board of directors is excited for the future of the museum in Tabitha’s capable hands. I would also like to give a special thanks to our expert search consultants at DHR Global, James Abruzzo and Michele Counter, as well as the MOAS Search Committee.”
Schmidt comes to MOAS after serving as the CEO of the Powell Gardens: Kansas City’s botanical garden for the past six years. During her tenure at Powell, she guided the gardens through a shift in strategic direction that resulted in the highest attendance and membership numbers in its history. She also stewarded the organization through a master planning process that is now guiding its future direction. Schmidt will come to the museum as MOAS embarks on developing its next five-year strategic plan.
“I am truly honored to have been chosen as the new executive director,” Schmidt said. “Working with multi-disciplinary collections is a passion of mine, and MOAS offers endless opportunity.”
Schmidt earned her bachelor's degree in art from Baker University and her master's degree in art history from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she studied abroad at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England. She has a well-rounded background working for non-profits, cultural organizations, and educational institutions, having held such positions as the director of cultural arts at the Jewish Community Center, executive director of the Museum of Texas Tech University, director of the School for Continuing and Professional Studies at the Kansas City Art Institute, associate educator of adult learning/manager of tour programs at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, director of instruction/arts partners coordinator at Kansas City Young Audiences, and student activities coordinator/adjunct art and art history faculty at Maple Woods Community College.
Tabitha and her husband, Mike, are the proud parents of Peyton, 24, and Samantha, 20. They love Florida and have always wanted to live in the state.
Schmidt will start her duties in early September 2022. She was selected following a national search guided by the managing partner of DHR Global, James Abruzzo, and Principal Michele Counter.
