Mimi Gardner Gates

Dr. Mimi Gardner Gates, now Director Emerita, was Director of the Seattle Art Museum for fifteen years (1994-2009). Under her leadership, the Olympic Sculpture Park was created; the downtown museum was expanded; and the artistic program achieved a high level of excellence. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Mimi Gates is a scholar of the history of Chinese art with a B.A. from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in History of Art from Yale University. Prior to moving to Seattle, she was Curator of Asian Art (1975-1986) and Director (1987-1994) of the Yale University Art Gallery. In the field of Chinese art she has taught, published essays and organized numerous exhibitions. Currently she is the chair of the Board of Managers for the Blakemore Foundation and is a Trustee of the Dunhuang Foundation and Heritage University, as well as a former fellow of the Yale Corporation.