OLIVER BARKER

Director, Cape Ann Museum

Oliver Barker was appointed Director of the Cape Ann Museum (CAM), in April 2019 and has led the Museum through a period of tremendous growth. Responsible for management of all areas of the Museum, Barker oversaw the implementation of the 2019 nationally acclaimed Homer at the Beach: A Marine Painter's Journey, 1869-1880 exhibition. Drawn from 40 public and private collections, the exhibit attracted record visitors and showcased a selection of Homer’s finest marine works, many of which were inspired by the artist’s encounters in and around Cape Ann.

Throughout 2020 Barker worked with the Museum’s talented staff, dedicated Board, volunteers and members to realize the Museum’s commitment to continuing to strengthen its relevance in the Cape Ann community and vision to become one of the finest regional museums in the United States.

Prior to joining CAM, Barker most recently served as Manager, Foundation, Government and International Relations for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA). At the MFA, Barker supervised a portfolio of fundraising and international engagements. He was responsible for building relationships and partnership initiatives with national and international foundations, corporations and governments. Additionally, he served as cultural diplomacy protocol officer on behalf of the Museum, developing and maintaining relationships with foreign consulates, embassies and stewarding connections with international delegations.

Barker, who has family ties in Gloucester and lives in Wenham, Mass. with his family, was born and educated in Melbourne, Australia. He is a cultural management professional with 20 years of experience within global visual arts arenas. Prior to joining the MFA, he worked as Curator & Projects Director for the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation. He began his career as the Director of Education & Visitor Services at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy, where he lived for nearly a decade. Barker holds a master’s degree in Arts and Cultural Management from the University of Melbourne and an Honors Degree in Fine Arts, Painting and Printmaking from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), in Melbourne, Australia.