MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) Westport announces Ruth Mannes as the new Executive Director of the nonprofit devoted to inspiring intellectual and creative curiosity through the arts.

Mannes, a 12-year resident of Westport, has an extensive background in publishing, leadership, community outreach, and fundraising for local causes. In addition, she has been collecting art for over two decades and has been recognized by ARTnews as one of the top 30 young contemporary art collectors in America. She succeeds Amanda Innes, who held the Executive Director position for four years, and was instrumental in the rebranding of Westport Arts Center to MoCA Westport, and transitioning to the state-of-the-art museum space at 19 Newtown Turnpike.

Mannes’ hiring comes as the organization implements a plan of strategic growth in community relations, development, outreach, and fundraising to build on the successes of a groundbreaking inaugural year as a Museum of Contemporary Art. Since September 2019, MoCA Westport brought two acclaimed works of art by popular artist Yayoi Kusama, including a crowd-pleasing Infinity Mirror Room, an experiential school field trip program, the relaunch of the Heida Hermanns International Music Competition, legendary musicians, including performances by Kenny Barron and Pacifica Quartet, and the launch of The Academy @MoCA Westport, a fully immersive arts education program.