In January 2023, Howard Taylor stepped down from his role as President and CEO and took on an advisory role as development director and president emeritus to help the transition to new leadership. As of Aug. 1, Taylor has officially retired after 38 years.
According to a SAMFA press release, under Taylor’s leadership, the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts became the only museum to have received the American Institute of Architects National Service Award. The museum also received the Institute of Museum and Library Services National Museum Service Award in a ceremony at the White House in 2003. Taylor received the Texas Association of Museum’s President’s Award in 2004 and the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 2005, and on April 1, 2011, he accepted the John L. Nau III award for Excellence in Museums from the Texas Historical Commission.
“It has been my privilege to provide leadership and help build this deeply community-engaged museum and work with all the wonderful people I have come to know in San Angelo and the Concho Valley. I look forward to the continued progress and exciting future that I foresee for our museum,” Taylor said.
Taylor’s successor, Alex Freeman, has been the president and CEO of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts since January 2023. He holds a MA in Art Education from the University of Texas at Austin and a Portfolio Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and has collaborated with and supported the professional development of museum professionals across Texas and beyond.
“I believe that under the new leadership of Alex Freeman, SAMFA is positioned to have a strong and dynamic future,” Taylor said.
