Gary Tinterow, a Houston native, returned home in 2012 after an illustrious curatorial career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), he’s led a transformative $450 million+ campus expansion, secured prestigious international exhibitions, and helped increase annual visitorship to over 1 million.
He has elevated the museum into a world-class destination while expanding accessibility for Houston’s diverse communities. His vision fuses hometown loyalty with global cultural leadership.
From Houston Roots to Metropolitan Heights: Tinterow’s Journey
While Houston’s landscape was evolving through the 1960s and ’70s, a young Gary Tinterow grew up in neighborhoods like Bellaire, attending Pershing Middle School and Bellaire High School. These early years shaped his lifelong engagement with architecture, art, and culture.
After studying art history at Brandeis University and earning his M.A. from NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts, Tinterow spent over 25 years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he became Chairman of the Department of Nineteenth-Century, Modern, and Contemporary Art.
He held a senior curatorial leadership role and curated major international exhibitions. Upon becoming MFAH director in 2012, Tinterow brought with him a deep global network of collectors, curators, and institutional leaders, enriching Houston’s art scene with international prestige.
A Vision for Excellence: Transforming the Museum of Fine Arts
When Tinterow took the reins at MFAH, he introduced a bold vision rooted in both aesthetic ambition and community inclusivity. As director, he has overseen the largest cultural expansion in MFAH history, culminating in a dramatic transformation of its footprint.
Key milestones include:
- Opening the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building (2020), dedicated to modern and contemporary art
- Bolstering the museum’s Latin American and Islamic art collections
- Presenting socially relevant exhibitions like “Soul of a Nation” and “Afro-Atlantic Histories”
- Expanding accessibility through free Thursday admission and bilingual educational programming
Through these efforts, Tinterow has guided MFAH into a new era of inclusivity, prestige, and civic engagement.
Masterpieces Across Borders: Securing World-Class Exhibitions
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Thanks to Tinterow’s diplomacy and expertise in European painting, the MFAH has become a premier destination for international exhibitions.
Among his achievements:
- A landmark loan from Madrid’s Prado Museum, featuring masterworks never before seen in the U.S.
- Curating “Picasso Black and White”, which premiered at the Guggenheim and exemplified his curatorial strength
- Presenting works from Kuwait’s al-Sabah Collection, emphasizing cross-cultural exchange
- Recent showcases like “Vertigo of Color: Matisse, Derain, and the Origins of Fauvism” (in partnership with the Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Tinterow’s exhibitions are not only visually impressive—they foster cross-cultural dialogue and establish Houston as a global art capital.
Campus Expansion: Creating a Cultural Destination for Future Generations
The MFAH’s redeveloped campus now spans 14 acres, integrating green space, architectural harmony, and expanded public programming.
You’ll experience:
- The iconic Audrey Jones Beck Building by Rafael Moneo
- The Caroline Wiess Law Building by Mies van der Rohe
- The Kinder Building by Steven Holl, housing the growing modern and contemporary collection
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Outdoor installations, a plaza, amphitheater, and the Glassell School of Art, also by Holl, with landscape by Deborah Nevins
These updates elevate the MFAH to one of the largest and most architecturally significant art campuses in the U.S., ensuring it serves as a cultural anchor for decades to come.
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Beyond the Gallery Walls: Making Art Accessible to All Communities
Tinterow’s leadership reflects a commitment to inclusion beyond traditional museum walls. He’s championed partnerships with schools, social service organizations, and cultural groups to ensure broad access.
Highlights include:
- Exhibitions like “Peacock in the Desert: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur” and “Soul of a Nation”, resonating with Houston’s multicultural population
- MFAH’s Kinder Foundation Education Center, promoting free art education and access
- Strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping exhibitions like “Soul of a Nation” on view when others closed
- Ongoing emphasis on bilingual outreach, sensory-friendly programs, and free family events
This holistic view of museum service—one that treats art as a public good—has reshaped how Houstonians of all backgrounds engage with MFAH.