The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles has unveiled significant additions to its leadership team, welcoming Michael Wellen as the new Chief Curator and Regan Pro to spearhead the newly established role of Chief of Learning, Engagement, and Research. These strategic appointments aim to invigorate the museum's curatorial vision and expand its public programming, educational initiatives, and community outreach.
Hammer Museum Bolsters Leadership with Key Appointments
In a move to reinforce its institutional framework, the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles officially announced on February 3, 2026, the arrival of two distinguished professionals to its senior leadership. Michael Wellen is set to assume the pivotal role of Chief Curator, bringing his extensive expertise in modern and contemporary Latin American art. He will commence his duties on April 6, 2026. Concurrently, Regan Pro has been appointed as the inaugural Chief of Learning, Engagement, and Research, a newly conceived position designed to consolidate and elevate the museum's outreach efforts. Pro will begin her tenure on March 2, 2026.
The Chief Curator position at the Hammer Museum, which has been vacant since Connie Butler's departure in 2023 to direct MoMA PS1, is central to overseeing the museum’s vibrant contemporary art exhibitions, acquisitions, publications, and its registrar and preparator teams. Michael Wellen transitions from his role as Senior Curator of International Art at Tate Modern, where he is currently organizing a major retrospective for artist Ana Mendieta, slated to open in July. His prior experience includes leading Tate's Latin American Acquisitions committee and serving as assistant curator of Latin American and Latino art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
The creation of the Chief of Learning, Engagement, and Research role marks a strategic evolution for the museum. This new department will integrate the Hammer’s public programming, community partnerships, and educational initiatives under a unified vision. Regan Pro brings a wealth of experience to this role, having most recently served as Deputy Director of Public Programs and Social Impact at the forthcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles. Before that, she was the Deputy Director of Education and Public Engagement at the Seattle Art Museum. Her appointment underscores the Hammer's commitment to social impact, equitable access to the arts, and educational enrichment, core values championed by museum director Zoë Ryan.
Zoë Ryan, who initiated a comprehensive evaluation of the museum's needs upon her arrival last year, emphasized the importance of these appointments working synergistically with her and Naoko Takahatake, Director and Chief Curator of the Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts. Ryan expressed confidence that Wellen’s international perspective and Pro’s dedication to community engagement will foster an intellectual and hands-on approach, allowing the Hammer to contribute uniquely to the art field.
These strategic leadership enhancements are poised to usher in a new era of innovation and expanded community interaction for the Hammer Museum, further solidifying its standing as a dynamic cultural institution in Los Angeles and beyond.
The strategic appointments of Michael Wellen and Regan Pro signal a forward-looking approach for the Hammer Museum. From a critical perspective, these hirings reflect a growing trend in the museum world: a deeper commitment to holistic engagement and educational impact, not just curatorial excellence. Wellen's international background and focus on Latin American art promise to diversify and enrich the museum's exhibition program, challenging traditional art historical narratives. Pro's role, as a newly forged position, highlights the museum's recognition of the vital importance of making art accessible and relevant to a broader community. This dual focus on cutting-edge curation and robust public engagement suggests a dynamic future for the Hammer, potentially setting new benchmarks for how art institutions can connect with their audiences and contribute meaningfully to societal dialogue.