Kate Moomaw-Taylor has been named the new Chief Conservator at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), starting her role on June 25, 2025. The announcement comes as the museum prepares for its largest expansion to date.
“I’m delighted that Kate will lead the conservation department at a transformative time at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: the beginning of the largest expansion in the museum’s history,” said Director and CEO Alex Nyerges. “As head of the Susan and David Goode Center for Advanced Study in Art Conservation at VMFA, she will oversee the care and treatment of the museum’s ever-growing collection of more than 50,000 invaluable works of art, ensuring that these works remain accessible to, and are sustained for, future generations of Virginians.”
Moomaw-Taylor brings 18 years of experience as a conservator focused on modern and contemporary art. She previously worked at the Denver Art Museum since 2011, serving most recently as Senior Conservator of Modern and Contemporary Art.
“Kate will advance the museum’s conservation efforts, ensuring the vital care of our greatest asset –– the works in our internationally-recognized permanent art collection,” said Artistic Director and Chief Curator Dr. Michael Taylor. “Her extensive experience in undertaking major conservation projects and groundbreaking technical research make Kate the ideal person to lead the Susan and David Goode Center for Advanced Study in Art Conservation through the next chapter of its distinguished history. We welcome her to the VMFA team.”
Moomaw-Taylor is a founding member of CAN! (Contemporary Art Network) within the American Institute for Conservation (AIC). Her published work addresses topics such as treatments for plastic artworks, care for participatory artworks, and establishing time-based media conservation programs.
Her training includes positions at several notable institutions: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C., Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Tate Modern in London, Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and Museum of Modern Art in New York. She holds an M.A. in art history and an Advanced Certificate in Conservation from New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts. As an Echols Scholar at University of Virginia, she earned a B.A. in interdisciplinary studies.
“I’m honored and excited to be appointed to this role leading a stellar conservation department at such an esteemed institution as VMFA. Conservation has a critical role to play in preparing the museum’s incredible collection for display in the upcoming expansion, and I’m eager to support the department in accomplishing this significant task, in collaboration with colleagues across the museum,” Moomaw-Taylor said. “I also look forward to exploring innovative ways to pull back the curtain on the fascinating work of conservation for visitors and supporters across the Commonwealth.”
The Conservation Department at VMFA is responsible for examining artworks for exhibitions or loans, assessing acquisitions’ conditions, conducting preventive measures against deterioration, performing scientific research into materials or fabrication methods, and carrying out treatments according to AIC’s Code of Ethics.
Opened in 2010, VMFA’s Susan and David Goode Center for Advanced Study in Art Conservation offers nearly 10,000 square feet dedicated to laboratory space with staff specializing across paintings, objects, paper materials, photographs preservation.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is one of America’s largest comprehensive art museums with more than 50,000 pieces spanning over six millennia. It features collections including Fabergé objects—the largest outside Russia—and other significant holdings like American art or French Impressionist works. The museum plans another major expansion—McGlothlin Wing II—set to open by 2028 that will increase its footprint by over 170,000 square feet; this addition will make it among America’s four largest comprehensive art museums.
The VMFA remains open every day throughout expansions with free general admission.
