Nasher MUSE (Museum Undergraduate Student Exec) serves as the museum’s undergraduate student voice of and for the Nasher Museum. As a bridge between the widely diverse student body and the museum, MUSE fosters student ownership of the museum, advises museum staff on effective ways to engage the Duke undergrads, and is proactive in promoting the museum throughout the Duke and Durham communities.

Connect with MUSE on Instagram @duke_muse

Ella Rubell, Class of 2025
Ella is a senior from Miami, majoring in Economics and minoring in Art History and Psychology. This year, she is the Chair of MUSE, and has been a member since her freshman year. Aside from her involvement with the Nasher, she spends her time planning events with the Duke organization, Business Oriented Women, and volunteering at Durham Public Schools. Her favorite artist is Yoshitomo Nara.

“Being on MUSE for all four years at Duke has been such an incredible experience. MUSE has allowed me to connect with members of the Duke community through our shared passion for art. I have loved being able to use this platform to encourage others to explore the Nasher and discover what art means to them. I have learned so much from my time on MUSE and will be forever grateful for all of the memories it has created, conversations it has sparked, and the community it has brought me.”

Clare New (left) and Ella Rubell at the entryway to the exhibition Second Nature. Photo by J Caldwell.

Clare New, Class of 2025
​​Clare is a senior from New York City who is majoring in Art History. She’s been on MUSE since her sophomore year. She loves to ski, play crosswords, and cook. Her favorite artist is Richard Serra.

“MUSE has been a highlight of my Duke experience. One of my favorite MUSE memories was the Study Hall event where I witnessed many friends connect with the Nasher.”

Robert Devoe, Class of 2025
Robert is a junior from San Diego, majoring in Art History and minoring in Visual Media Studies. He’s been on MUSE since his sophomore year. He’s a dancer and yoga instructor and is interested in fashion design and creative direction. His favorite artist is Isamu Noguchi.

“Being a MUSE member has been one of the most rewarding parts of my Duke experience. Whether it’s during one of our beloved events like Study Hall or walking through the gallery with a friend on a random Tuesday, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how the museum positively impacts Duke students. I love that I get the opportunity to connect my peers with the Nasher. I’m constantly reminded that this place truly has something for everyone.”

Robert DeVoe and Gabby Rivadeneira, enjoy the exhibition Spirit in the Land. Photo by J Caldwell.

Joyce Thomas, Class of 2026
Joyce is a junior studying History and Computer Science with a minor in Inequality Studies. She has been on MUSE since her sophomore year and is very interested in portraits and cross-hatching. A fun fact about Joyce is that she can fold in half backwards! Her favorite artist is Maisara Baroud.

“I joined MUSE because 1. Who wouldn’t want to work for a museum? 2. The Nasher is one of the best spots to be on campus, and 3. I get to go to so many amazing events with so many community members and learn more about the relationship and history between Durham and art.”

Ryan Bernstein, Class of 2026:
Ryan is a junior, studying History and Economics. He joined MUSE in the fall of his sophomore year. On campus, he is also involved with the Duke Undergraduate Energy and Climate Club and the Duke Impact Investing Group. He also enjoys volunteering with the Emily K Center, a nonprofit organization that supports academic and career development for students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Ryan is very interested in the renewable energy transition and the ways financial markets, policy, and technology intersect. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

“The most rewarding part of MUSE has been working together with other students with different experiences at Duke and finding ways to reflect our experiences in the Nasher outreach and programming.”

Charlotte Yew Huixin, Class of 2027
Charlotte is a sophomore from Singapore, double majoring in Sociology and Public Policy. She’s been on MUSE since her freshman year. Charlotte also dances with Pureun, Duke’s Kpop dance team, and is interested in all things related to Asia, museums, and marketing! Being the hopeless romantic that she is, her favorite artist is Claude Monet.

“I love MUSE because it gives me a chance to make art accessible and relatable to students who might not otherwise have the chance to interact with museums.”

• Engage with the Fall 2024 traveling exhibition, Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene
• Host Nasher MUSE Study Hall
• Participate in networking opportunities with campus and community leaders
• Attend exclusive museum events

Membership in MUSE is open, by application, to Duke undergraduate students of all majors.

We recruit each Fall!

If you have any questions or would like to discuss being a part of Nasher MUSE, please email Gabrielle Tenedero, Museum Educator for Student Engagement, at gabrielle.tenedero@duke.edu.

Nasher MUSE is generously supported by The Sahm Family Foundation.