Dr. Courtney J. Martin — Art Historian, Curator & Institution LeaderCurrent Position: Executive Director, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
In early 2024, Dr. Martin left her role as Director of the Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) to become the Executive Director of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.AICA-USA+11Yale News+11salovey.yale.edu+11
Former Leadership Role: Paul Mellon Director of YCBA (2019–2024)
From April 2019 through June 2024, she served as Director of Yale’s YCBA, where she oversaw key exhibitions and institutional programming, and led significant building renovations.salovey.yale.edu+2Yale News+2Yale News+2
Notable exhibitions under her direction include:
- Bridget Riley: Perceptual Abstraction — First U.S. retrospective in two decades
- Marc Quinn: History Painting +
- The Hilton Als Series: Njideka Akunyili CrosbyYale News+1salovey.yale.edu+1
She also led conservation efforts of the iconic Louis Kahn–designed building to ensure the museum’s architectural integrity and prepare for its reopening in April 2025.Yale News+3salovey.yale.edu+3Yale News+3
At Dia Art Foundation (2015–2017)
Dr. Martin joined Dia as adjunct curator in 2015 for an exhibition on Robert Ryman and became Deputy Director and Chief Curator in 2017. She managed acquisitions, exhibitions, programming, and research, working with artists such as Dan Flavin, Sam Gilliam, Blinky Palermo, Dorothea Rockburne, Keith Sonnier, and Andy Warhol.Yale News+5Apollo Magazine+5AICA-USA+5
Academic & Professional Background
- Ph.D. in History of Art from Yale University (2009); her dissertation on 1970s British art is being published.salovey.yale.edu+6Yale News+6britishart.yale.edu+6
- Previously taught at Vanderbilt University, Brown University, and UC Berkeley, delivering a multidisciplinary and inclusive approach to art history.curatorialleadership.org+7It’s Your Yale+7artfortomorrow.org+7
- Previously worked in the Media, Arts, and Culture unit at the Ford Foundation before her Ph.D.AICA-USA+6Yale News+6curatorialleadership.org+6
Leadership, Scholarship & Influence
- Dr. Martin spearheaded strategic initiatives at YCBA—including launching virtual programming, strengthening fellowships, and expanding educational access.Apollo Magazine+3salovey.yale.edu+3Yale News+3
- She delivered the AICA-USA Distinguished Critic Lecture in 2019, navigating pressing issues in contemporary criticism and curatorial practice.AICA-USA+1AICA-USA+1
- Research and publications include a deep focus on Lawrence Alloway, co-editing Lawrence Alloway: Critic and Curator (Getty Publications, 2015).AICA-USA+3artswriters.org+3curatorialleadership.org+3
Why It Matters
Courtney J. Martin is best known for curating critically significant exhibitions and elevating underrepresented voices—drawing links between art, scholarship, and public engagement. Her career path—from public philanthropy to academic research and museum leadership—demonstrates a commitment to cross-disciplinary impact and institutional transformation. Her move to the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation positions her to further influence how art institutions can empower creativity and community.
