North Adams, MA, January 28, 2026 – Nicole Berry has been appointed to the position of Senior Director of Philanthropy at MASS MoCA following a nationwide search. Berry brings over 20 years of distinguished, international art world experience to the leadership role, and will help position the museum for transformational growth in its philanthropic initiatives. Berry began her tenure at MASS MoCA on January 7 and is based in New York.
Berry joins MASS MoCA from the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles where she served as Senior Director of Donor Engagement since April 2024. Overseeing the Gala in the Garden, the Donor Travel Program, and patron groups including the Board of Advisors and the Global Council, she helped cultivate and strengthen relationships with patrons and supporters in service of the museum’s mission. Previously, she served as Executive Director of The Armory Show in New York from 2017-2024, overseeing all aspects of the international fair including its strategic vision, operations, exhibitor relations, and VIP program. Innovative initiatives such as the Curatorial Leadership Summit, Gramercy International Prize, and the Spotlight Prize for New York-based non-profits were created during her tenure. She also spearheaded the crucial move to the Javits Center in 2021. And from 2011–2016, Berry was the Deputy Director of Expo Chicago, where she played a key role in the fair’s early growth and expansion of its international exhibitor and collector base. In her early career, Nicole worked in secondary market galleries and was also an elementary educator for nearly a decade. Raised in San Francisco, Nicole holds a BA from Colgate University and an MA in Art History from the University of California, Davis.
“Nicole’s global insights, and her authentic approach to philanthropic strategy, are such a fantastic match for MASS MoCA’s vision and our ways of working with artists and champions of artistic practices,” said Kristy Edmunds, Director of MASS MoCA. “She brings great knowledge and a trusted reputation in the field that will add depth for both our programs and our philanthropic partners who are dedicated in their commitment to artistry and contemporary culture. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team as a steward of our ambitious future fueled by transformational ideals and the abiding power of creativity.”
Berry added, “I am thrilled to join MASS MoCA under the leadership of visionary Kristy Edmunds. There is tremendous love for this storied institution, and I am honored to be a part of the excellent team leading it into the future.”
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Falk
Director of Communications and Content
MASS MoCA
press@massmoca.org
Download the full press release here.