As Kay Perkins rotates off the Academy Art Museum’s Emeritus Board of Trustees and prepares to relocate to the West Coast, the Museum is recognizing her years of dedication, leadership and service to the institution and Eastern Shore Community.
Kay served on the Academy’s Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2015, including as Chair of the Board during a pivotal period in the Museum’s history. During a leadership transition in 2014, she stepped forward to serve as Interim Director from August 1, 2014, through January 31, 2015, guiding the organization while a national search was conducted.
“Kay didn’t just guide the museum — she helped shape its future,” said Joyce Doehler, former member of the Academy Art Museum’s Board of Trustees. “Her leadership, integrity, and dedication strengthened this institution in meaningful and lasting ways. She will be greatly missed.”
“Kay truly was our steady and capable presence during that critical transition,” said MaryLou Armstrong, Trustee, Academy Art Museum. “She didn’t just fill one role — she gracefully took on both Chair and Interim Director responsibilities, and you could find her in the office every single day, right there with the staff, making sure everything kept running smoothly. We were so incredibly lucky to have her leadership during those crucial months.”
During this time of interim leadership, both strategic and operational – Kay provided stability for staff, continuity for supporters, and reassurance for the broader community during a critical moment of transition. Her steady leadership helped position the Academy for its next chapter.
“Kay led the Museum with wit, charm, and a clear vision of what needed to be done,” said Tom Siep, Museum member and donor. “She was present at the Academy nearly every day — managing staff, budgets, and programs — and she did all of this while also caring for her husband Bob during a very difficult time. She inspired all of us who served as Trustees during her tenure as Chair, and it was my distinct pleasure to be among them.”
In 2016, she was named an Emeritus Trustee in recognition of her lasting contributions. Beyond titles, Kay has been a generous supporter, thoughtful advocate, and devoted steward of the museum’s mission.
While the Academy will miss Kay’s presence on the Eastern Shore, her impact remains visible in the Museum’s strengthened governance and continued commitment to serving the region’s cultural life.
The Academy Art Museum extends its sincere appreciation for her years of service and enduring belief in the power of art.
About the Academy Art Museum
Founded in 1958, the Academy Art Museum is the Eastern Shore’s leading cultural institution, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It combines the dynamism of an ambitious contemporary art museum with the intimacy of a community space. With five working studios, a 24,000 sq. ft. facility, and innovative programs including a robust artist-in-residence initiative and major commissions for its soaring atrium, the Museum is a destination for artists, scholars, collectors, and families alike. For more information, visit academyartmuseum.org.
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