TOURISM AWARDS
WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER VISIONARY TOURISM AWARD
Like its namesake, this award is reserved for a select group of visionaries whose leadership and commitment to growing Baltimore has lifted us all up and made strong Visit Baltimore’ s ability to promote our city as a distinctive destination.
ASMA NAEEM, BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART
As the Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director of the Baltimore Museum of Art, Asma Naeem has redefined what a museum can mean to its community, elevating Baltimore’ s cultural landscape while creating experiences that inspire visitors from near and far. Naeem is the first person of color and the first Baltimorean to lead the museum in its 111-year history, ushering in a new era centered on innovation, collaboration and service to the community. Her leadership in bringing the nationally acclaimed“ Amy Sherald: American Sublime” exhibition to Baltimore helped cement the city’ s reputation as a premier arts and cultural destination.
How does your personal connection to the city shape the way you think about the museum and its role in Baltimore?
My family left Pakistan and moved to Baltimore City when I was two years old. As the first BMA director from Baltimore, I have a profound sense of respect for and responsibility to this city and its people. Baltimore is a place of astonishing creativity, resilience and cultural richness. The BMA should be a welcoming place for everyone to learn, reflect and feel connected. My goal is to ensure the BMA is both globally relevant and deeply rooted in local communities, where Baltimoreans see themselves reflected on our walls, feel proud about our city and are hopeful about the city’ s future.
The BMA has such a unique opportunity to connect Baltimore’ s creative community with visitors and residents alike. What do you think the museum can do to continue strengthening that connection and reflecting the city around it?
One of the most important ways we are strengthening Baltimore’ s creative community is by continuing to invest in artists who live and work in our region. We regularly showcase artists through exhibitions, proving that the artistic talent found in Baltimore is every bit as important as Henri Matisse and others with global attention. Investing also means expanding opportunities for artists through funded residencies, commissions and publicfacing projects. I also believe we must continue meeting people where they are, whether through neighborhood partnerships, educational programs or initiatives like BMA Lexington Market, which brings art directly into the heart of downtown Baltimore.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about as you think about the museum’ s future and its place in Baltimore?
I am very excited by our newest accolade as one of the top 30 museums in the country, but there is more we can do. The BMA is over 111 years old and continues to inspire with its world class collection, but we are more than just an art museum. We are part of the city and state’ s identity. Our future will offer more opportunities to learn, more welcoming spaces and more programs for all. Not only will we be a tourist and cultural destination but also that muchneeded third space and a partner for the health, connection and flourishing of our community.
36 VISIT BALTIMORE