NEMA acknowledges the hard-work and dedication of every museum worker in our field, whether it be part-time, full-time, contract, or businesses working with museums. We recognize the work being done by Museum Workers Speak to create The Museum Workers Relief Fund, a mutual aid fund by and for museum workers. And as they say, "Small acts of solidarity add up to a movement!"
We know the global pandemic has caused much uncertainty and the coming months will be challenging for museum workers, but NEMA will continue to be here to support you and the museum field of our future. That is why NEMA is offering our individual members the option of a 3-month membership deferment period to any individual member for whom membership is a hardship right now. If you are recently laid off, furloughed, or an Independent Museum Consultant then you can apply for the reduced membership. If you have any questions please contact our Manager of Membership and Development, Scarlett Hoey (scarlett.hoey@nemanet.org).
Melissa Higgins promoted to Vice President, Programs and Exhibits.
Leslie Swartz has announced their retirement after close to 43 years at the museum.
Brooke DiGiovanni Evans appointed director of visual arts education.
Michael Halperson has been appointed interim president and CEO.
Horace D. Ballard appointed the Theodore E. Stebbins Jr. Associate Curator of American Art at the Harvard Art Museums, effective September 1, 2021.
Laura Huerta Migus, current Executive Director of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), appointed Deputy Director, Office of Museum Services.
Bethany Groff Dorau appointed executive director. Former Executive Director Susan C.S. Edwards retired in June, 2021. Edwards had led the museum since 2014.
Ida Bea Tomlin appointed Senior Search Consultant.
Akeia de Barros Gomes, Ph.D. appointed senior curator for social maritime histories.
Briann Greenfield (former Executive Director of Harriet Beecher Stowe Center) appointed Director of the Division of Preservation and Access.
Naomi Slipp, Ph.D. appointed the Douglas and Cynthia Crocker Chief Curator.
Scarlett Hoey promoted to director of membership and development.
Dr. Sarah Clunis appointed Director of Academic Partnerships and curator of African collections.
Ahmari Benton appointed Nancy Prophet Fellow.
Jen Bose appointed business and financial manager.
Sháńdíín (shan-DEEN) Brown appointed the Henry Luce Curatorial Fellow for Native American Art.
Lauren Faria promoted to assistant director, institutional giving and evaluation.
Roscell Lopez-Pitts promoted to assistant manager of museum safety & security.
Kajette Solomon promoted to Museum SEI Program Specialist.
Julia C. Gray appointed executive director.
Kira Holmes appointed executive director.
Richard Tupper appointed groundskeeper.
Kathy Young appointed executive director.
Freyda Spira appointed the Robert L. Solley Curator of Prints and Drawings.
Former Boston Children’s Museum President & CEO, Lou Casagrande, passed away on May 27. Lou retired from the museum in 2009 after 15 years of service. During his tenure, he led the museum through its first major expansion in 30 years, directing a $47-million capital campaign to expand and renovate the city’s first ‘green’ museum. After leaving the museum, Lou served as the first dean of the School of Education, Social Work, Child Life, and Family Studies at Wheelock College. He later served as special assistant to the president and CEO at Associated Early Care and Education (now Nurtury).
