Hammer Museum Announces Key Leadership Additions

Michael Wellen named Chief Curator, Regan Pro appointed Chief of Learning, Engagement and Research

Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:47pm

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The Hammer Museum at UCLA has made two major leadership appointments, naming Michael Wellen as Chief Curator and Regan Pro as the newly created role of Chief of Learning, Engagement and Research. Wellen and Pro will join the museum's senior leadership team alongside Naoko Takahatake, Director and Chief Curator of the Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts, to guide the Hammer's exhibitions, collections, scholarship and public programs.

Why it matters

These key hires signal the Hammer's commitment to strengthening its curatorial vision, public engagement, and community impact under the leadership of Director Zoë Ryan. Wellen and Pro bring extensive experience and expertise that will help elevate the museum's profile locally and internationally.

The details

Michael Wellen currently serves as Senior Curator of International Art at Tate Modern, where he has organized acclaimed solo exhibitions for artists like Philip Guston, Lubaina Himid, and Takis. Regan Pro is a seasoned arts leader and educator who previously held roles at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and Seattle Art Museum, leading initiatives focused on learning, access, and community partnerships. In their new roles, Wellen will oversee contemporary exhibitions and collections at the Hammer, while Pro will lead the strategic vision for the museum's public programs, community collaborations, and educational initiatives.

  • Wellen will begin his new role as Chief Curator on April 6, 2026.
  • Pro will assume the position of Chief of Learning, Engagement and Research on March 2, 2026.

The players

Michael Wellen

Currently the Senior Curator of International Art at Tate Modern, Wellen has organized critically acclaimed solo exhibitions for artists like Philip Guston, Lubaina Himid, and Takis. As the new Chief Curator at the Hammer Museum, he will oversee contemporary exhibitions and collections, museum publications, and the registrar and preparator teams.

Regan Pro

A seasoned arts leader and educator, Pro was most recently the inaugural Deputy Director of Public Programs and Social Impact at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Prior to that, she spent over a decade at the Seattle Art Museum, serving as the Kayla Skinner Deputy Director of Education and Public Engagement. At the Hammer, Pro will lead the strategic vision for the museum's public programs, community collaborations, and its K–12, family, and university initiatives.

Zoë Ryan

The Director of the Hammer Museum, Ryan will oversee the leadership team that includes Wellen and Pro.

Naoko Takahatake

The Director and Chief Curator of the Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts, Takahatake will be part of the Hammer's senior leadership team alongside Wellen and Pro.

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What they’re saying

“Michael and Regan bring deep commitments to artists, audiences, scholarship, and experimentation. Their leadership will strengthen the Hammer's impact locally and internationally.”

— Zoë Ryan, Director, Hammer Museum (ucla.edu)

The takeaway

The Hammer Museum's new leadership appointments of Michael Wellen and Regan Pro signal the institution's commitment to strengthening its curatorial vision, public engagement, and community impact under the direction of Zoë Ryan. Their extensive experience and expertise will help elevate the Hammer's profile both locally and globally.