Jamie Lawyer is chief experience officer at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York, a museum dedicated to the art and culture of the Himalayas, India, and neighbouring regions. She oversees the overall visitor experience at the museum, aiming to make it welcoming, engaging, and meaningful for a diverse range of audiences. Her responsibilities include enhancing visitor interactions with the museum’s exhibitions, programs, and collections and overseeing initiatives that prioritize accessibility and inclusivity.
Lawyer works to ensure that the Rubin Museum remains a place where art, culture, and personal transformation intersect. Her visitor-centered approach contributes to the Rubin Museum of Art’s reconceptualisation of the modern museum while remaining committed to ensuring that museums are spaces for everyone. Her belief that museums should transcend the confines of physical buildings and engage with diverse audiences has been transformative in shaping the way that other professionals think about cultural institutions.
Jamie Lawyer is a pioneer in designing visitor-centered experiences that resonate emotionally. Her innovative approach to museum design focuses on creating environments that do more than educate; they inspire, provoke thought, and stir emotions. Through exhibits like the Mandala Lab, her understanding that powerful experiences can shape and move minds has redefined how visitors interact with museums. Her work ensures that every exhibit, program, and initiative connects with visitors on a deeply personal level, making the museum experience more meaningful and impactful.
One nominator added: “Jamie’s ethos of care extends to the museum staff who work with her, consultants who collaborate with her, and artists who create work in cultural spaces. She is a champion for the various people who contribute to our cultural spaces, and her commitment to care is palpable in the final audience experience.
“In a rapidly changing museum landscape, Jamie is a visionary leader who can see the true potential of museums.”