Dallas Contemporary (DC) has announced that Lucia Simek, Executive Director, will be leaving her position.
A Friday, December 19, press release states that Ms. Simek “plans to return to her artistic practice, curatorial work, and writing,” which includes Occiput, a forthcoming book from Deep Vellum Publishing on artists Forrest Bess, Alberto Burri, and Myron Stout’s ties to Texas.
According to a press release, Ms. Simek “will continue to guide DC as the search for the next director begins,” and that Ann McReynolds and Rod Sage, Co-Presidents of the DC Board, will serve as interim directors. During this time of transition, Ms. Simek will continue to manage the DC NTX Graduate Student Program, an annual initiative that supports local MFA students. This year’s program will culminate in an exhibition opening in February 2026.
Ms. Simek was appointed to the leadership position in February 2025 following an international search, after serving as Interim Executive Director when Carolina Alvarez-Mathies resigned in September 2024. Ms. Simek had served as Deputy Director for one year prior to the promotion, and as Director of External Affairs from September 2022 to July 2023.
During her tenure, Ms. Simek developed DC EMPTY, a regional and national performance art series, and expanded the museum’s programming and attendance for the annual Dallas Art Book Fair. She co-curated the current solo exhibition Pam Evelyn: Salvaged Future with Abby Bryant, the inaugural DC NTX Graduate Student Program Curatorial Fellow who later joined the DC as a Curatorial Assistant, and curated the 2024 solo show Brian Fridge: View Finder, among other exhibitions.
In the press release, Ms. Simek said, “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished in my time at the Dallas Contemporary. Together with my talented team, we’ve made DC a vital place in our community, bringing in diverse audiences to engage with the art of our time. I look forward to continuing to champion the essential role of art and discourse within this city and farther afield.”
In a statement, Ms. McReynolds and Mr. Sage said, “By spearheading thought-provoking programs and exhibitions, Lucia has sparked a new level of engagement locally, nationally, and internationally with Dallas Contemporary. We are grateful to her for her many contributions to this institution and look forward to continuing to work with her as we move through this transition.”
Prior to joining DC, Ms. Simek served as Senior Manager of Communications and International Programs at the Nasher Sculpture Center, and was a frequent contributor to Glasstire between 2010 and 2014.
As noted in the press release, the DC leadership transition coincides with the start of a five-year strategic planning process to begin in January 2026.
