Shalini Le Gall named director of the Ackland Art Museum

Shalini Le Gall, deputy director for curatorial affairs at the Portland Museum of Art in Maine, has been named director of the Ackland Art Museum at UNC-Chapel Hill. Le Gall will begin her new role Sept. 8 and brings more than 20 years of experience in museums and higher education, including exhibit curation, stewardship of acquisitions, gallery installations, strategic planning, community engagement and instruction.

Le Gall joins the Ackland Art Museum at an exciting time of growth and opportunity. As director, she will partner with key stakeholders to provide a strategic vision for the museum’s future, which includes leading the Ackland’s proposed expansion and increasing reach and engagement with the arts both at the University as well as in the broader community. Le Gall will also collaborate with academic campus partners to lead Ackland’s interdisciplinary collaborations in the campus and community, with a focus on centering art within University life.

“We are delighted to welcome Shalini Le Gall to Carolina as director of the Ackland Art Museum,” said Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. “The Ackland is an essential doorway in connecting the people of North Carolina with exceptional works of art from across the globe. In spending time with her, I know that Le Gall sees great potential to expand our impact through this position. Her academic and curatorial experience combined with her collaborative skills will be crucial to our success as we further work to elevate the arts at Carolina.”

In her most recent role at the Portland Museum of Art, Le Gall oversaw a record period of growth for the museum, working collaboratively to lead over $10 million in acquisitions and guiding the artistic vision and oversight of the museum’s curatorial program. She also broadened the museum’s impact and reach, coordinating multiple traveling exhibits across the U.S.

Le Gall brings to Carolina an extensive background in management, development and strategic planning, leading a staff of 20 at the Portland Museum of Art and working with multiple stakeholders to increase community outreach and align priorities to advance the museum’s mission.

“Working in academic and museum settings has taught me that art is a powerful form of creative expression that can bring people together,” said Le Gall. “Given the Ackland’s position as a key center for teaching and learning, and its expansive collection and dynamic exhibition program, I am honored to serve in this role and excited to work in close partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill’s academic initiatives while extending further outreach to a broader community of visitors. Collaboration is an important part of the creative process, and I look forward to meeting the Ackland’s many partners and exploring new opportunities for growth that support Carolina’s commitment to public service.”

Prior to her role at the Portland Museum of Art, Le Gall served as the Linde Family Foundation Curator of Academic Programs at the Colby College Museum of Art, planning exhibitions and installations to support the college’s teaching mission, strategic academic initiatives and collection priorities. She also served as a member of the teaching faculty at Colby College and at New York University in Paris.

Le Gall holds a doctorate and Master of Arts in art history from Northwestern University and Bachelor of Arts in theology from Georgetown University.