Palm Springs Art Museum appoints Christine Vendredi as executive director
The museum board elevated Vendredi, who has served in an interim capacity since April, citing her curatorial expertise and global experience.
The Board of Trustees of Palm Springs Art Museum announced Monday that Christine Vendredi, who was named interim director of the museum in April, has officially been appointed executive director.
Vendredi stepped in to lead the museum after CEO Adam Lerner elected not to renew his contract. She joined the institution as chief curator in April 2024, bringing more than 20 years of experience in curatorial leadership, cultural strategy and museum operations.
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Before joining the museum, Vendredi served as global director of art, culture and heritage at Louis Vuitton, where she oversaw exhibitions and art commissions in Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Milan and Los Angeles. She created and launched the Hors Les Murs program of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, which expanded the foundation’s collection through six exhibition spaces worldwide.
Vendredi earned a doctorate in art history from the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE) Sorbonne in Paris and a doctorate in architectural history from Charles University in Prague. She also holds an executive MBA from HEC Paris, has authored books on architecture and taught art history at Keio University in Tokyo. She speaks French, English, Japanese and Czech.
“I am honored to be leading such a unique institution that champions architecture, design, and the visual arts as essential parts of everyday life in the Coachella Valley and beyond,” Vendredi said in a news release announcing the appointment. “I look forward to partnering with the staff, board, and community to ensure Palm Springs Art Museum remains a relevant and meaningful space for those seeking a retreat, a place to learn, or simply a moment of beauty and inspiration.”
During her tenure, Vendredi has focused the museum’s programming on architecture, design and its permanent collection. She curated the exhibition David Hockney: Perspective Should Be Reversed as part of the museum’s Q+ Art initiative.
“Christine is a rare leader who combines intellectual depth with global perspective and bold curatorial vision,” said Craig Hartzman, chair of the Board of Trustees. “She has already elevated the museum in profound ways, and we are thrilled to formally welcome her into this role. Her decisive leadership will shape a dynamic future for the institution and our community.”
The museum is the largest cultural institution in the Coachella Valley. The main building in Downtown Palm Springs encompasses 150,000 square feet and includes galleries, a permanent collection and the Annenberg Theater. Its permanent collection contains more than 16,000 objects across visual art, architecture and design.
Staff are currently preparing for Mapping the Female Body: Tom Wesselmann & Mickalene Thomas this fall. In January 2026, Fashioning Architecture: What the Runway Borrows from Architecture will open at the Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion.
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