Hesse McGraw

In January 2020, Hesse McGraw was appointed the 10th Executive Director of Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH), one of the oldest non-collecting contemporary art Museums in the United States. Hesse is a curator, writer, cultural leader, and passionate advocate for the essential role of artists in advancing society. He began his career in Kansas City 20 years ago, and most recently served as Partner of the cross-disciplinary architecture practice el dorado inc.; as Vice President for Exhibitions and Public Programs at San Francisco Art Institute; and Chief Curator of Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Hesse’s curatorial practice and arts organization leadership are acclaimed for shifting organizations into springboards that expand the agency of artists beyond the gallery, reach new audiences, and embrace unexpected contexts. Currently, CAMH and Hesse are engaged in multiple cross-sector projects and public realm design initiatives beyond walls that position artists as catalysts of cultural transformation by directly engaging issues such as water recycling, health and wellness, social justice, and equity.