Julia Alexander
Born 1967 · Age 58
American art historian, curator, and museum director; longtime Yale Center for British Art curator and administrator, deputy director for curatorial affairs at the San Diego Museum of Art, executive director of the Walters Art Museum (2013–2024), and president of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation (appointed fall 2024).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Memphis, Tennessee
Julia Mary Alexander was born in Memphis, Tennessee, daughter of David and Catharine Alexander.
Formative trip to Rome (sixth grade)
As a sixth-grader visited St. Peter's Basilica in Rome; cites this experience as the start of her interest in art and architecture.
Matriculated at Wellesley College (approx.)
Began undergraduate studies (typical 4-year span) in art history and French at Wellesley College; member of academic cohort that led to BA in 1989.
Graduated Wellesley College, magna cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa
Earned B.A. in art history and French, magna cum laude; elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Théodore Rousseau Fellowship — NYU/Paris/London study (approx.)
Received/participated in the Théodore Rousseau Fellowship from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, studying abroad via New York University in Paris and London (led into her MA).
MA in French literature, New York University
Completed a master's degree in French literature at NYU after studying in Paris and London under the fellowship.
Yale University MA in History of Art
Earned an M.A. in the History of Art from Yale University (first step in doctoral studies).
Joined Yale Center for British Art (YCBA)
Began her museum career at the YCBA (joined the staff in 1996; worked while completing dissertation).
Married John Marciari
Married John J. Marciari (marriage listed as 1996; later separated).
Assistant Curator of Paintings and Sculpture, YCBA
Worked as assistant curator of paintings and sculpture at the Yale Center for British Art while finishing her dissertation.
Co-curated 'This Other Eden' (Paul Mellon Collection)
Co-curated 'This Other Eden: British Paintings from the Paul Mellon Collection at Yale' with Malcolm Warner; exhibition traveled to three Australian museums.
Completed PhD in History of Art, Yale University
Awarded PhD from Yale; dissertation directed by Judith Colton. Also played a key role in the full reinstallation of the YCBA collection in 1999.
Key role in full reinstallation of YCBA collection
Instrumental in the full reinstallation of the Yale Center for British Art's permanent collection.
Dissertation completed under Judith Colton
Completed doctoral dissertation at Yale under the direction of Judith Colton (a lasting professional relationship and mentorship).
Began notable mentorship and teaching at YCBA
Taught numerous courses and undergraduate seminars (including 'Women, Art, and Society'), mentoring generations of art historians and student guides.
Named Associate Director of Programmatic Affairs, YCBA
Promoted to associate director of programmatic affairs at the Yale Center for British Art.
Co-curated 'Painted Ladies: Women at the Court of Charles II'
Partnered with the National Portrait Gallery, London and co-curator Catharine MacLeod on 'Painted Ladies'.
Named Associate Director for Exhibitions and Publications, YCBA
Promoted to associate director responsible for exhibitions and publications at the Yale Center for British Art.
Involved in 'Britannia and Muscovy' and 'Canaletto in England' exhibitions
Helped bring to fruition 'Britannia and Muscovy: English Silver at the Court of the Tsars' and 'Canaletto in England: A Venetian Artist Abroad, 1746–1755'.
Curated/Co-curated major YCBA exhibitions (2007)
Worked on 'Paul Mellon’s Legacy: A Passion for British Art' and 'Art and Emancipation in Jamaica: Isaac Mendes Belisario and His Worlds'.
Howard Hodgkin exhibition named Time's Top 10 of 2007
'Howard Hodgkin: Paintings 1992–2007' (which she co-curated/co-organized) was named one of Time magazine's top ten museum exhibitions of the year.
Left Yale for San Diego Museum of Art; named Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs
Returned to California to join the San Diego Museum of Art as deputy director for curatorial affairs, overseeing curatorial programs and gallery reinstallation work.
Transition from YCBA to San Diego Museum of Art
Left a long tenure at Yale to take a leadership curatorial role in San Diego, a career-defining shift from academic museum work to civic museum leadership.
Served as Co-Interim Director, San Diego Museum of Art
After the departure of the museum director, served as one of four co-interim directors of the San Diego Museum of Art.
Gainsborough installation cited among California's best museum shows
The San Diego Museum of Art's installation of 'Thomas Gainsborough and the Modern Woman' (overseen during her deputy directorship) was highlighted by the LA Times as one of the ten best California museum shows of 2011.
Community gallery and performing space opened (Balboa Park / Diamond Neighborhoods partnership)
Managed a four-year partnership between Balboa Park and Diamond Neighborhoods communities that resulted in opening a community gallery and performing space in 2012.
First non-medievalist and first woman director of Walters since 1965
Her appointment marked two institutional firsts: first woman director and first director without a medieval specialization since 1965.
Appointed Executive Director, Walters Art Museum
Succeeded Gary Vikan as executive director of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore; became the museum's fifth director and its first woman director.
Completed $30 million endowment campaign at Walters
Oversaw the successful completion of a seven-year $30 million endowment fundraising campaign (campaign begun around 2008).
Seven-year endowment campaign completed
Completed a seven-year endowment campaign for the Walters that raised $30 million despite starting before the 2008 financial crisis.
Wellesley College campus visit & speaking event
Visited Wellesley College and spoke to students about her career path as the first female executive director of the Walters Art Museum.
Oversaw Hackerman House restoration and rethinking (tenure milestone)
Led the Walters' restoration and 'rethink' of the Hackerman House, the building that houses the museum's Asian art collection (major institutional project during her tenure).
Child spoken at the United Nations (family milestone)
One of her children (then in eighth grade) spoke at the United Nations on behalf of NCD Child; reported in 2018.
Residence — Homeland neighborhood, Baltimore (reported)
As of 2018 she and her family resided in the Homeland neighborhood of Baltimore.
Walters staff unionization organizing (management dispute begins)
Majority of museum staff signed union cards and indicated intention to form an all-inclusive trade union; Alexander declined to recognize the union or meet with organizers.
Baltimore City Council requests neutral third‑party union election
In October 2021, Baltimore City Council and City Comptroller issued formal requests to the Walters to allow a neutral third-party union election inclusive of all staff; Alexander did not comply.
Walters Art Museum letter to Office of the Comptroller
The museum (under Alexander's advisory counsel) submitted a formal letter regarding union matters to the Office of the Comptroller (document dated 11/2/2021).
Mayor Brandon Scott backs independent union vote for Walters workers
In 2022, Baltimore's mayor publicly requested that Alexander allow employees to hold an independent union election; Alexander continued to refuse to acknowledge the union.
Served as President, Association of Art Museum Directors (recent service)
Held the role of president of the Association of Art Museum Directors' board of trustees (service described as recent in memoranda; exact years of service span years during Walters tenure).
Active involvement with Baltimore and national arts organizations
During her later career she was actively involved with the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and the William M. B. Berger Prize for British Art History.
Appointed President, Samuel H. Kress Foundation (fall 2024)
Named president of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, an organization dedicated to the study and preservation of European art and heritage in the United States; appointment took effect in fall 2024.
Left Walters Art Museum
Departed her role as executive director of the Walters Art Museum in the fall of 2024 to take a position at the Samuel H. Kress Foundation in New York.
Died from a heart attack in Towson, Maryland
Julia Alexander died unexpectedly of a heart attack on May 4, 2025 in Towson, Maryland.
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