The Booth Western Art Museum has a new leader. Dr. Eric Singleton will take over as director in mid-July.
Georgia Museums President and Board Chair Lorri McClain says after a nationwide search, they chose Singleton for his strong experience, positive energy, creativity, and collaborative style. McClain added that Singleton’s extensive experience will ignite new ideas and excitement among the staff.
Singleton currently serves as the McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture and Curator of Native American Art and Ethnology at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. He brings more than 25 years of museum experience to the Booth. He previously worked at the Gilcrease Institute of American History & Art and the Philbrook Museum of Art.
He earned his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University, focusing on U.S. West, Native American, and Latin American history, as well as general U.S. history. Singleton has mounted 26 exhibitions, published widely, secured major grants, and earned multiple awards — including two exhibition-of-the-year honors and several book award nominations and wins. He also serves on the Cheyenne and Arapaho Nation Museum Board and the Caddo Archeology Journal editorial board.
Singleton started his museum career as a volunteer and intern. He says his leadership approach centers on inspiring staff and positioning the institution for success. He stated that he believes a leader’s role is to inspire and put staff in a position to excel.
He plans to visit the museum in early June to meet staff during the day and attend an evening reception for upper-level members and donors.