The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) has elected Lynette L. Allston as the president of its board of trustees. She is the first Native American board chair at a major US arts institution.
“I am excited and honored to be elected as the president of the board of trustees,” said Allston.
“The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts tells the story of people and their cultures through art, and it is my hope to continue to offer guidance about Virginia’s and the country’s rich cultural heritage.”
Allston has served on the museum’s board of trustees since 2017. In 2021, she helped to develop the VMFA’s land acknowledgement statement.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ new board chair
This recognises the Commonwealth of Virginia as one of the first points of contact between Indigenous people and European colonisers.
“We are tremendously delighted to have Lynette serving as our president of the board of trustees,” said Alex Nyerges, VMFA’s director and CEO.
“Through her many accolades in Virginia’s diverse Native American community, Lynette will be not only a great leader, but will help ensure that the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a museum that embraces all visitors.”
Allston serves as chief and chair emeritus of the tribal council of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia. She is also the president of the board of Rawls Museum Arts in Courtland, Virginia.
Allston is co-author of DoTraTung, which explores the history, culture and lifestyle of the Nottoway Indians
Located in Richmond, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts opened in 1936. The museum has started a $190 million expansion and renovation project led by architecture firm SmithGroup.
The development is scheduled for completion in 2027. It involves adding a new 170,000-square-foot wing and renovating 45,000 square feet of existing spaces.
Images: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
