Staff Directory

Nathan

Kemler

kemlern@gvsu.edu

Director of Galleries and Collections

Art Gallery Support Facility

(616) 331-8122

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As Director of Galleries and Collections for the Art Gallery, Nathan:

• Provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the department, and serve as a mentor to staff, students, and the greater museum community
• Plays the lead role in long-range departmental strategic planning efforts, in support of the university’s plan
• Serves as an institutional liaison and promote long-term relationships with supporters, faculty, students, staff, donors, philanthropists, and the public
• Manages the departmental budget and oversees the university's collections, exhibitions, and related educational programming initiatives
• Directs and manages the development of the collection management database, and the subsequent online visual learning platform for collection accessibility

Nathan currently serves as the president on the Michigan Museums Association board of directors and as a peer reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums Assessment Program in the areas of Collection Stewardship and Community Engagement. He has previously served as a board member to the American Museum of Magic and on committees for the Michigan Museums Association in the areas of professional development and programs. Before his current appointment at GVSU started in 2008, he was the Project Curator of Ethnology at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids and Curator of Historic Sites and Collections at the Holland Museum. Nathan received his B.A. in World History with minors in Art History, Archaeology, and Studio Art from Calvin College and received his M.A. from the Historical Administration graduate program at Eastern Illinois University while being awarded the History and Technology assistantship. Nathan is a servant leader in the region and specializes in collection accessibility and community engagement initiatives. 

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