Kelly Lao will become the next director of the Muscatine Art Center after being unanimously selected by the Art Center Board of Trustees following a three-month national search.
Lao, currently vice president of museum experiences at the Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport, will officially begin her new role on Aug. 3. She succeeds former director Melanie Alexander, who resigned in April.
“Kelly accepted with enthusiasm and is looking forward to being part of our community,” Board President Mark Seaman said. “She sparked joy, optimism, and confidence in all of us for the future of the art center.”
Lao brings extensive experience in museum leadership, exhibit development, community engagement and arts advocacy. During her time at the Putnam Museum, she helped lead the Putnam Re-Imagined capital campaign, overseeing the creation of seven new galleries, interactive exhibits and educational spaces. She also led the acquisition of a Triceratops fossil that is expected to go on display in 2027.
Her community involvement includes serving on the acquisition committee for the Figge Art Museum, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, the Quad Cities Community Foundation Scholarship Committee, membership in LULAC, and serving as president of the Iowa Cultural Coalition.
“I am incredibly grateful for my time at the Putnam Museum,” Lao said. “It has been a privilege to work alongside such talented colleagues and a community that truly values the power of science, culture, and lifelong learning.”
As she prepares to take the helm in Muscatine, Lao said she is excited to build on the Art Center’s history while expanding its role in the community.
“As I begin this new chapter as director of the Muscatine Art Center, I am inspired by the opportunity to build on the institution’s remarkable legacy while imagining what the future can be,” Lao said. “I believe museums have the power to spark creativity, bring people together across generations and cultures, and serve as dynamic spaces where art, history and community can intersect.”
She added that she looks forward to working alongside staff, volunteers and supporters to ensure the Art Center remains a vibrant destination for generations to come.
Seaman said Lao’s experience and vision made her the clear choice.
“Kelly’s background, her passion for the arts, and her commitment to community made her stand out,” Seaman said. “We are excited for the next chapter.”
Lao earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in museum studies from Western Illinois University. Before joining the Putnam Museum in 2022, she spent more than a decade in leadership roles at the German American Heritage Center and Museum.
Seaman also thanked those who assisted with the hiring process, including Stephanie Romagnoli from the city’s Human Resources Department, personnel committee chair Vince Lawson, and the volunteers who helped conduct the search.
