Chase Quinn has been appointed as the inaugural creative director and curator of special projects at the Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA) in Jackson, starting in January 2025. In this newly created role, he oversees both curatorial and education departments, focusing on inclusive, cohesive content development and storytelling. Quinn, previously co-director of education and programs and curator of special projects at the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina, was inspired by Carrie Mae Weems’ series “From Here I Saw What Happened and I Cried” at Tate Modern in the mid-1990s, which shaped his approach to complicating narratives around race in museum exhibitions.
This appointment matters because it reflects a growing trend in museums to integrate curatorial and education functions into a single, interdisciplinary role, breaking down traditional silos to create deeper visitor engagement with art and its stories. Quinn’s maverick reputation—highlighted by a 2024 Garden & Gun Magazine profile—signals a shift toward innovative, experimental programming at MMA, an institution with a strong national profile that aims to punch above its weight. His focus on recontextualizing permanent collection works and elevating underrepresented artists aligns with broader efforts in the art world to make museums more inclusive and responsive to complex social narratives.