Betsy Bradley

Betsy Bradley was appointed director of the Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA) in December, 2001. Previously, she served as executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission. Since arriving at MMA, Bradley has overseen significant growth of the institution, shepherding two capital campaigns that resulted in a move to a completely renovated facility, and the creation of The Art Garden, the first new public green space in downtown Jackson since the 1970s. Committed to making MMA relevant to its community, Bradley works in partnership with many local cultural, social service, and history organizations to create opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborations. This work has resulted in prestigious federal and national foundation grant awards and recognition for MMA, including the 2008 Governor’s Arts Award for Leadership and the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. More recently, the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi honored Bradley as one of their 2019 Women of Vision, and she received the 2023 Governor’s Arts Award for Leadership in Visual Arts and Community.

Bradley is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a master’s degree in English, and of Millsaps College with a bachelor’s degree in English. She was elected to membership of the Association of Art Museum Directors in 2012 and in 2022 was appointed to its board. In addition, she has served on the boards of Americans for the Arts, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, and the Southern Arts Federation. She has also served on the Steering Council for the Mississippi Economic Council’s Blueprint Mississippi Project, the 50th Reunion of the Mississippi Freedom Riders, and continues to serve on the executive committee of Downtown Jackson Partners.