Darren Walker, President of Ford Foundation, Appointed as New President of National Gallery of Art
### Darren Walker Named President of the National Gallery of Art
On October 14, 2023, Darren Walker, former president of the Ford Foundation, was named the new president of the National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Washington, DC. Walker, who has served as a trustee of the institution since 2019, will succeed Mitchell P. Rales, a prominent business leader and philanthropist. While Walker had initially planned to step down from his position at the Ford Foundation in late 2025, his transition to the NGA marks a significant shift in his career, moving up his departure by a year.
#### A Legacy at the Ford Foundation: Addressing Global Inequality
Darren Walker’s tenure at the Ford Foundation, one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations, was shaped by a commitment to addressing global inequalities. Upon assuming leadership of the foundation in 2013, Walker, along with his team, identified **five key factors contributing to inequality**, which became central themes in the institution’s allocation of grants. By refocusing the foundation’s grant-making initiatives, Walker placed greater emphasis on wider-reaching, long-term systemic change, supporting causes that ranged from racial equity to social justice.
An important aspect of this mission was the pivot in the foundation’s grant-making model. Rather than exclusively supporting project-based grants, Walker restructured funding to also cover operational costs of nonprofit organizations. This shift provided much-needed financial stability, enabling nonprofits to manage day-to-day operations while working toward long-term goals.
Under Walker’s leadership, the Ford Foundation became an indispensable ally to the arts and culture sector. High-profile exhibitions, Latinx curatorial programs, and POC-led arts organizations in marginalized regions like the southern United States received critical funding and visibility, advancing the foundation’s mission of **elevating minority voices and fostering diversity** in cultural leadership.
#### “Arts Build Empathy”: Walker’s Perspective on the Arts
Darren Walker has long been an advocate for the capacity of the arts to cultivate empathy, a value he underscored during his 2017 interview on the *Hyperallergic* podcast. Walker noted that a more **inclusive and empathetic society** requires a thriving arts sector that celebrates diverse narratives. The arts, according to Walker, play a fundamental role in breaking down barriers, enabling both artists and audiences to experience perspectives different from their own.
This belief in the transformative power of the arts deeply informed his work at the Ford Foundation and, now, his presidency at the National Gallery of Art.
#### Controversy at Ford: The Rikers Island Debate
Despite his numerous triumphs at the Ford Foundation, Walker’s leadership has not been without controversy. One of the most prominent instances occurred in 2019, when he addressed the potential closure of Rikers Island—New York City’s notorious jail complex—in a provocative public statement. He suggested that closing Rikers could only be accomplished through the **construction of new jails** across the city. The statement led to swift and vocal opposition, with over **250 Ford Fellows signing an open letter** protesting his stance. They called on the foundation to oppose the construction of new jails and to instead focus on a vision that reduces mass incarceration in humane, progressive ways.
Although Walker clarified that the Ford Foundation was not funding any of the jail construction projects, his comments left a lasting impression among critics. In his defense, Walker stated that his position was grounded in personal experience, as he was intimately familiar with the harsh realities of the prison-industrial complex, a sentiment that underpinned his broader mission to address **systemic inequalities** in the U.S.
#### Enriching NGA’s Collections: Walker’s Contributions
As a trustee of the National Gallery of Art, Walker was instrumental in helping diversify the museum’s collections. His tenure saw a significant partnership between the Ford Foundation and the NGA, with an art acquisition fund established to **secure art by underrepresented groups**. One of the most notable results of this initiative was the 2022 exhibition *Afro-Atlantic Histories*, which explored the cultural and historical ties between Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
Additionally, the acquisition of the *Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection*, a unique archive of 19th- and early-20th-century American photographs, further highlighted Walker’s commitment to ensuring that more diverse perspectives find representation in the museum’s holdings.
#### A New Chapter at NGA
As Walker assumes the presidency of the National Gallery of Art, expectations run high. He is being celebrated for his strong vision, commitment to social justice, and his unique ability to bridge sectors through unified and thoughtful leadership. NGA’s current director, **Kaywin Feldman**, expressed her optimism about Walker’s appointment, describing it as a vital step in the evolution of the institution’s future.
As the new president of one of the nation’s most prestigious art museums, Walker will continue his mission of harnessing the power of art to create positive, lasting change. His