Kate Burgin, Walters Art Museum’s new executive director and CEO. Photo: Walters Art Museum
The Walters Art Museum announces Kate Burgin as Executive Director. She brings with her strategic leadership and vision to enhance the museum’s cultural impact.
BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON
BALTIMORE, MD —The Walters Art Museum, one of Baltimore’s premier cultural institutions, is set to begin a new chapter under the leadership of Kate Burgin, who has been appointed as the museum’s new Executive Director and CEO. This significant leadership transition follows an extensive seven-month national search, during which the Board of Trustees carefully considered an exceptional pool of candidates from across the country. Ultimately, they determined that the ideal choice for this vital role was already a part of the Walters family, with Burgin bringing both fresh perspectives and a deep-rooted connection to the museum and the Baltimore community.
Kate Burgin: A Fresh Perspective on Leadership
Kate Burgin’s impressive career trajectory reflects a blend of innovation, leadership, and community commitment. Currently, she serves as the President of Talent Stream at Catalyte, Inc., a prominent Baltimore-based technology services company. Catalyte has been instrumental in creating career pathways in the tech industry, particularly for underrepresented groups. Under Burgin’s leadership, the company has expanded its apprenticeship programs, cultivated new partnerships with top-tier businesses, and contributed to the development of Maryland’s workforce initiatives.
Before her tenure at Catalyte, Burgin worked at the Walters Art Museum from 2016, taking on various leadership roles, including her most recent position as Deputy Director. This blend of external industry experience and internal familiarity with the museum’s operations positions Burgin as a transformative leader capable of advancing the museum’s mission in exciting new directions.
Leadership in Action: Transformative Contributions to the Walters
Kate Burgin’s impact on the Walters Art Museum is already evident from her earlier work with the institution. During her previous tenure, she spearheaded several key initiatives that have left a lasting legacy at the museum. Notably, Burgin was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Walters’ Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) plan. This plan aimed to ensure that the museum’s programming and exhibitions were inclusive, reaching a wider and more diverse audience while fostering an environment that embraced cultural and social diversity.
Additionally, Burgin played a critical role in the successful completion of a $10 million capital fundraising project. These efforts have helped position the Walters Art Museum for long-term sustainability, ensuring that the museum can continue to serve as a vital cultural resource for the Baltimore community and beyond.
Commitment to Baltimore’s Cultural Landscape
As she steps into the role of Executive Director and CEO, Kate Burgin brings with her a clear vision for the Walters Art Museum’s future. One of her primary goals is to build upon the museum’s rich legacy while adapting it to the evolving cultural and social landscape of Baltimore. Burgin’s emphasis will be on fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking institution that actively engages with the community and serves as a hub for cultural dialogue.
Her deep connection to Baltimore and its broader goals will be pivotal in shaping the museum’s direction. Under her leadership, the Walters will continue to preserve and showcase its extraordinary collections while also expanding outreach efforts to ensure that these treasures are accessible to all.
Kate Burgin’s Leadership Style: Innovation Meets Tradition
Kate Burgin’s leadership style blends innovation with tradition. She is well-known for her ability to think outside the box and bring fresh approaches to long-standing challenges. For instance, her work with Catalyte has redefined how organizations think about workforce development and job training, particularly for individuals from marginalized communities. Burgin’s unique perspective, honed through years of leading cross-sector initiatives, will no doubt enable the Walters to rethink how it interacts with the Baltimore community and the world beyond.
Burgin’s background in consulting, particularly with Boston Consulting Group and TDC, also provides her with valuable strategic insights that will help guide the museum’s growth. Whether it’s enhancing visitor experiences, cultivating new partnerships, or pushing the boundaries of museum engagement, Burgin’s innovative approach will shape the Walters’ operations for years to come.
The Walters Art Museum’s Ongoing Commitment to Excellence
The Walters Art Museum has always been committed to delivering exceptional art exhibitions and cultural programming to its community. The appointment of Kate Burgin signals a renewed dedication to these principles while also introducing new strategies to expand the museum’s impact and reach. Under her leadership, the museum will continue to serve as a cultural beacon for the city of Baltimore and the broader Maryland area.
Burgin’s leadership will also ensure that the Walters remains a key player in the national and international cultural scenes. By emphasizing inclusivity and innovative programming, the museum will continue to attract visitors from all walks of life, ensuring that its collections and exhibitions resonate with people from all backgrounds.
Kate Burgin: A Strategic Vision for Museum Growth
As the Walters Art Museum looks toward the future, Kate Burgin’s strategic vision will be integral in shaping the museum’s growth and development. With a focus on expanding the museum’s role as a cultural leader, Burgin aims to create an institution that is not only a destination for art lovers but also a platform for important conversations about social change, diversity, and community engagement.
Under her leadership, the Walters will explore new avenues for collaboration with artists, scholars, and community organizations. Whether through expanding public art programs, increasing digital outreach, or partnering with local schools and universities, Burgin’s vision for the museum will focus on making art more accessible and impactful than ever before.
Exciting Future Prospects for the Walters Art Museum
As the Walters Art Museum prepares for this new era, all eyes are on Kate Burgin and her ability to lead the institution to new heights. Her track record of success, combined with her deep commitment to Baltimore and the arts, makes her the ideal candidate to guide the museum into its next chapter.
The appointment of Burgin marks a new beginning for the Walters Art Museum. With a focus on inclusion, innovation, and community engagement, Burgin is set to make a significant impact, ensuring that the Walters remains an essential part of Baltimore’s cultural fabric for years to come.
