The director and CEO of the Honolulu Museum of Art Halona Norton-Westbrook is leaving her position after being named the new director of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in Texas. 

The HoMA Board of Trustees will lead a national search for a new director, with the help of a professional search firm and input from community members and leaders. 

Norton-Westbrook has led the museum since January 2020. During her tenure, she increased attendance by 70% from pre-pandemic numbers, launched a pilot program that promotes brain health in art-making settings, spearheaded a $4 million restoration of HoMA’s historic Art School, and expanded the museum’s art collection, including more than doubling its collection of works by African American artists. She will continue at HoMA until May 16. 

“Halona Norton-Westbrook’s steadfast leadership has guided the Honolulu Museum of Art through a period of positive transformational change,” said Mike Watanabe, HoMA’s board chair, in a news release. “Under her guidance, HoMA has recruited top talent to key positions, reconceptualized the Museum’s teaching curriculum and built deeper connections through partnerships, programs and exhibitions that reflect diverse perspective.”