Asma Naeem set to be first person of color to lead the Baltimore Museum of Art in its 109-year history

Asma Naeem, a Pakistan-born, former New York prosecutor turned museum curator, was named Tuesday as director of the Baltimore Museum of Art — the first person of color to lead the institution in its 109-year history. The appointment of Naeem to head Maryland’s second-largest arts institution was confirmed during a Tuesday afternoon vote of the board of trustees. She begins her new position Feb. 1. “The Baltimore Museum of Art is one of the boldest and brave museums in the world,” said Naeem, who is 53 and lives in Howard County. “We have begun an incredible dialogue with our neighbors and community partners about what role a museum should play in an urban environment. That is a conversation I intend to continue.”