In a move that signals a transformative shift for the curatorial landscape, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) has officially announced Rhea L. Combs as its inaugural Senior Fellow in Contemporary and Global Art. This prestigious appointment marks a significant transition for Combs, who recently departed her influential role as Director of Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Her tenure at the Smithsonian was defined by groundbreaking exhibitions that centered Black history and visual culture, making this new chapter at the BMA a highly anticipated evolution in her distinguished career.
The fellowship, funded by the Ford Foundation and The Hearthland Foundation, is designed to provide independent scholars with the resources to develop new curatorial frameworks. Rhea L. Combs will officially begin her two-year tenure on February 17, bringing her deep expertise in photography, film, and African American history to Baltimore. The role is explicitly focused on “unrestricted opportunities” to pursue fresh ideas that emphasize marginalized voices, international exchange, and community engagement, aligning perfectly with Combs’ long-standing commitment to reframing historical narratives through a global lens.
A Visionary Leader for a New Era
Asma Naeem, the BMA’s Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director, expressed enthusiasm for the appointment, noting that the fellowship is part of a broader vision to “create the space necessary to envision the future of museum work.” For Combs, this position offers a rare opportunity to step away from the administrative demands of a large federal institution and focus purely on scholarship and creative strategy. During her five years at the National Portrait Gallery, she oversaw major projects, including the The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today and the critically acclaimed Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898–1971.
“This fellowship allows for the kind of deep, sustained inquiry that is often difficult to achieve in the day-to-day rhythm of museum administration,” industry insiders have noted regarding the move. By establishing this role, the BMA is positioning itself as an incubator for forward-thinking curatorial practices that challenge the traditional boundaries of encyclopedic museums.
Redefining Contemporary and Global Art
Combs’ background makes her uniquely suited for a role centered on “Contemporary and Global Art.” Prior to the Portrait Gallery, she served as the Senior Curator of Photography and Film at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), where she founded the Earl W. and Amanda Stafford Center for African American Media Arts. Her work has consistently explored how visual culture shapes shared history, often bridging the gap between archival research and contemporary artistic practice.
At the BMA, she joins Dr. Ellen McBreen, who was simultaneously appointed as the Ruth R. Marder Center for Matisse Studies Fellow. Together, these appointments underscore the museum’s strategy to balance canonical studies with expansive, globally-minded contemporary research.
Impact on the Art World
The creation of this fellowship—and the selection of a curator of Combs’ caliber—speaks to a growing trend of museums investing in intellectual capital. As institutions grapple with questions of relevance and equity, the presence of scholars like Combs is essential. Her work is expected to culminate in exhibitions, publications, or convenings that will likely set new standards for how global art histories are told.
For the art community, Combs’ move to Baltimore is a “watch this space” moment. With the backing of major foundations and the freedom to innovate, her upcoming projects at the BMA promise to bring vital, underrepresented narratives to the forefront of the global art conversation.
Read the full scoop on her visionary career move at the link in bio!
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