Life & Work with Dr. Rebekah Beaulieu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Rebekah Beaulieu. 

Hi Dr. Beaulieu, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began working in museums at the age of 16 as an unpaid intern while in high school. I continued as an intern in institutions such as the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Farnsworth Art Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery. I continued to work in museums in progressively senior roles while I pursued my first master’s degree in art history, my second in arts administration, and my doctorate in American Studies. It is hard work, but I still feel a thrill every day I get to come to work in a museum. 

For the past fifteen years, I worked in a variety of institutions in New England, most recently as Associate Director of the Bowdoin College Museum of Art in Maine and then as Director of the Florence Griswold Museum in Connecticut. In August of 2022, I moved to Cincinnati to take my current role as President & CEO of the Taft Museum of Art. Cincinnati is a wonderfully philanthropic and artistic city, and I am delighted to serve its cultural community. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
People will often assume that because I have consistently worked in the arts since I was a teenager, the road has been a smooth one. That’s certainly not the case! I had no connections in the art world and had to build my network from scratch. Museums conventionally function in a very insular world, one that can be challenging to break into without connections or the “right” profile and background. Especially as I advanced to more senior roles, I faced some discrimination because of my age and gender. Fortunately, the museum world is welcoming a new generation of leaders – myself included! – who are committed to creating an environment that encourages representation and equity. 

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking can be intimidating for some, which I completely understand. I like to look at it as building a community of peers who understand you and your aspirations. I have found that the easiest way to forge connections in your chosen field is to share enthusiasm and build a collaborative spirit. I like to find ways to offer support to colleagues, such as writing a card to someone to congratulate them on a new job. The best relationships are those that are a two-way street and those that celebrate accomplishments while navigating challenges. A strong network can also help someone discover opportunities they never would otherwise: for instance, I was encouraged to explore the position at the Taft Museum of Art by a number of my colleagues who know me well. Listening to them helped me find a new institutional home in a city I had never experienced. 

Contact Info:

• Website: taftmuseum.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taftmuseum/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taftmuseum/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/taft-museum-of-art

Image Credits
Taft Museum of Art