Anna Smith Bio

A museum professional with 20 years of experience, Anna Smith joined the Nasher Sculpture Center in 2006 and has held the position of Curator of Education since 2011. During her time at the Nasher, Smith has worked to grow the Education Department from a team of two to a team of eight and has directed the expansion of program offerings to include new audiences, topics, and platforms. Over time, she has shaped a departmental mission focused on highlighting diverse perspectives with special attention to interpretive tools and strategies that promote inclusion for learners with disabilities and connect with themes of racial and gender equity. Smith’s leadership style is built on collaboration and she works closely with members of the Education team to produce a suite of access programs, create interactive experiences for children, teens, and adults, and develop resources that connect learners of all ages with modern and contemporary sculpture. Smith directly manages lecture programs including the Nasher’s Artist Talks and Art and Health series and has worked to develop major museum initiatives including Free First Saturdays, Nasher XChange, The Great Create, Nasher Prize Month, and the GROW multi-visit school partnership. In addition to her work within the Education Department, Smith has played a critical role in cross-departmental teams addressing technology implementation, DEAI, and human resources. She co-authored the book Success on the Spectrum: Practical Strategies for Engaging Neurodiverse Audiences at Arts and Cultural Institutions, published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2024.