Allison Perkins joined the staff of Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, North Carolina as executive director in 2006. She was named Wake Forest University’s associate provost for Reynolda House and Reynolda Gardens in 2015. Reynolda is evolving as a destination for visitors of all ages and backgrounds to experience belonging through peaceful contemplation, play, work, and learning. Reynolda’s affiliation with Wake Forest University has grown in several stages, and the historic property and school share a grounding in the humanities for the common good. Perkins strives to uphold the institution’s mission to connect people with the beauty and complexity of the American story through the integration of art, nature, and history.

Perkins spent the first half of her career in art museum education. Prior to joining Reynolda, she was deputy director of education and interpretation at the Baltimore Museum of Art, moving there from her previous role as education director of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth. Perkins received a Bachelor of Arts in art history from Lake Forest College and completed graduate work in art history at the University of Chicago. She is a graduate of the Getty Leadership Institute, an executive training program for senior-level museum professionals.