Statement on the Death of Bryant "Tim" Hanley, Jr.

The Dallas Museum of Art is deeply saddened by the passing of Bryant “Tim” Hanley, Jr., a longtime trustee and benefactor of the Dallas Museum of Art, an enthusiastic supporter of Texas contemporary art, and founder of Barrow Hanley Global Investors, one of the largest and most highly respected value investment firms in the country. A leading patron of local emerging artists and the institutions that supported them, Tim Hanley and his wife, Nancy, exemplified humble generosity. Mr. Hanley was a dedicated advocate of the Museum for 40 years and will be fondly remembered as a transformative leader and dear member of the DMA Family.  

The Museum’s long history with the Hanleys began in 1983. Throughout his relationship with the Museum, Mr. Hanley served on the Board of Trustees from 1995 to 2015, as President of the Board from 2000 to 2004, as chair of the President’s Circle/Donor Circle from 1995 to 1996, on the Leadership Team for the Centennial Campaign, and as a member of the Investment, Executive, Audit, Library, Development, Collections, and Director’s Search committees. When the Centennial Campaign was launched, the Hanleys were the first to make a gift, realizing the naming of the Nancy and Tim Hanley Gallery in their honor. 

Tim Hanley’s deep engagement with the Museum was largely defined by his support of emerging Texas artists. Tim and Nancy’s impact continues to empower the DMA’s work with contemporary art through the Nancy & Tim Hanley Associate Curator of Contemporary Art Fund and the Contemporary Art Initiative Fund. The Museum is especially thankful to Tim Hanley for his incredible work to elevate the importance of endowing DMA curator positions to ensure success for years to come.   

Other significant gifts of the Hanleys to the Museum are support for the Founders Room renovation, the Center for Creative Connections, construction of the Conservation Lab, and funding for exhibitions spotlighting Dallas and Texas artists. They have donated and loaned several works of art to the DMA and provided funding for over 100 others, including several pieces of Chinese porcelain, American ceramics and textiles, African textiles and objects, Roger Winter’s contemporary work El Paso, and, most recently, Hans Hofmann’s Yellow Vase on Red. 

The Bryant and Nancy Hanley Foundation continues to provide financial support to the DMA and numerous other visual and performing arts organizations in Dallas. 

“Tim Hanley was an incredible friend to the DMA over the past 40 years. His leadership and gifts helped shape the artistic and cultural landscape of Dallas in exceptional ways,” said The Eugene McDermott Director Dr. Agustín Arteaga. “Our Museum remains forever transformed thanks to his generosity. Tim’s passion for the Museum, thoughtful compassion, and civic-minded philanthropy significantly impacted our Dallas community, and we know visitors to the DMA will continue to feel the effects of Tim’s investment in our mission in inspiring ways.”