Richard Koshalek

College of Design, May 11, 2007

Richard Koshalek earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture (1965) and a master’s degree in art history (1968) from the University of Minnesota. He is the president of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California and is considered to be one of the world leaders in the design field. His career began in the museum world working as a curator at the Minneapolis Walker Art Center. He then became the director of the Forth Worth Art Museum in Texas and after that spent the next 19 years in leadership positions at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles. During his tenure at MOCA, he put design front and center by building two new facilities by renowned architects Arata Isosaki and Frank Gehry. At the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, he is known for broadening and reinvigorating the curriculum and for making substantive changes in the design school. Because of him, the college has a reputation as a “significant center of design discourse.” His knowledge and leadership in design is in demand worldwide. He has served as chair of many international conferences on creativity and design and as a member on numerous national boards and architect selection committees. In addition, he has served as juror and advisory board member for Venice Biennale and for Business Week/Architectural Records Awards. He is the recipient of the prestigious Chevalier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres from the French government.