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About Nasher MUSE

Nasher MUSE members at the Spirit in the Land opening event
Nasher MUSE members at the Spirit in the Land opening event

The Nasher MUSE (Museum Undergraduate Student Executive) Board serves as the museum’s undergraduate student voice of and for the Nasher Museum. As a bridge between the 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. Through opportunities to engage with museum leadership, MUSE members will further develop communication and professional skills in preparation for future leadership or board positions in their careers.

Join MUSE

MUSE members:

  • Serve until graduation, renewable each year by mutual agreement. Renewal is contingent upon active participation and demonstrated adherence to the outlined responsibilities.
  • Attend and participate in two annual meetings at the museum set during the fall and spring academic semesters.
  • Encourage other students and peers to engage with the museum through programming or academics during their time at Duke.
  • Advise and consult with museum leadership on student engagement, leveraging the member’s unique life, professional, and academic experience, and expertise.
  • Act as ambassadors and representatives of the Nasher Museum of Art and Duke University, advancing goals and priorities among social and peer circles, tabling across campus, and attending Nasher events and programs.
  • Have fun making the museum a place where students want to spend time. Bring curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm to the board and to the museum!

Meet MUSE

Meet our 2026-27 MUSE Board!

Charlotte is a senior 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.”

Rania is a senior from New York City, studying Computer Science and Philosophy. In addition to MUSE, she is involved with the Duke Association for Business Oriented Women, DTech, the Chapel Scholars program, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences research, and the Buddhist Meditation Club. Rania’s favorite artists include Etel Adnan, Wassily Kandinsky, and Alex Katz.

“I joined MUSE because art has always been a fundamental part of my life, and the Nasher holds a unique place in that journey. Encouraging student engagement with the museum through MUSE is so fulfilling, as I believe the Nasher offers something meaningful for every student to discover.”

Phoebe is a senior from New York City, majoring in Computational Media with a certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. She is also a part of Duke Business of Retail Society and in her free time loves to play tennis, practice yoga, and create her own art. Phoebe is interested in art that ventures across a range of mediums and disciplines; her favorite artist is Agnes Denes.

“The Nasher was my first stop on my very first visit to Duke’s campus, and I was thrilled by its beautiful architecture, exhibitions, and of course the delicious brunch. Since then, I have loved bringing friends and family to explore each new exhibition, and love that MUSE provides the opportunity to further connect the museum and the student body.”

Nathaniel is a junior studying Economics and Public Policy at Duke. He is involved in organizations including Delta Sigma Pi, Duke Student Government, and DJ at Duke. He also conducts research at the Center for Documentary Studies focused on urban design and photography.

“My favorite artwork at the Nasher is Archibald J. Motley, Jr.’s Hot Rhythm (1961) because of its vibrant colors. I joined MUSE because I want to stay connected to the arts on campus while pursuing a double major outside the arts. I’m excited to help make art more accessible and raise awareness of the Nasher so that more students feel welcome to explore the museum and take advantage of its offerings, regardless of their major.”

Cameron Sadr is a junior from Norfolk, Virginia, studying economics and English. Cameron is an avid runner and (salted caramel) ice cream connoisseur. His favorite Nasher artist is Barkley Hendricks, and his favorite piece in the museum is Nick Cave’s Soundsuit (2015).

“I am excited to work with the Nasher because frequenting the museum during my time at Duke has allowed me to learn more about culture, perspective, and storytelling than any textbook. I joined MUSE in order to help people discover the aspects of the Nasher that have contributed meaningfully to my own story.”

Juliette is a junior at Duke studying Political Science with an Art History minor and PPE Certificate. Juliette is planning to pursue a career in tech policy or copyright law, but has a passion for contemporary art and museums. Juliette is an opinion editor for The Chronicle, an editor at the Duke Undergraduate Law Review, and the vice president of events for the Duke Business of Retail Society. In her free time, Juliette loves to try new restaurants with her sisters, read classics, and collect vintage clothing.

“My favorite piece at the Nasher is In the Land of the Blind the Blue Eye Man is King (2007) by Deborah Grant. I joined MUSE because I was inspired to work on the engagement side of the museum, after working in an art registration role during my internship this summer. Working with contemporary art, specifically a civil rights photography portfolio, really emphasized to me the role of the museum as an educational resource for recent history. Aside from being an institution that stewards these works, the Nasher is also an important space for students and the broader Duke community to unwind, study, and enjoy the excellent food at the cafe. Both of these roles make the Nasher so unique, and I’m excited to be a part of the board that represents student voices!”

Cecilia Yuan is a junior studying Computational Media and Art History. Her current course of study includes African American art, visual culture, web-based multimedia communication, artists and healthcare, and computer science. Outside the classroom, she is involved with DUU Marketing and enjoys traveling, discovering new restaurants, reading novels, and playing tennis. Some of her favorite works at the Nasher include the Guerrilla Girls’ posters and Barkley L. Hendricks’s Take All the Time You Need (Adrienne Hawkins) (1975). After attending a museum event featuring Mickalene Thomas and Richard J. Powell, she also became interested in learning more about Mickalene’s artistic practice.

“I joined MUSE because I hope to help build a stronger bridge between the Nasher and Duke’s student body, increase student engagement with the museum, and share the Nasher’s exhibitions and programs with more students. I am especially excited by the museum’s thoughtful exhibitions, distinctive architecture, and potential to make art feel welcoming and relevant to students across different disciplines.”

Lucia is a sophomore from Milan and London, double majoring in Biology and Neuroscience. She is also part of a research Tumor Immunology lab at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke and a member of the European Business Society. Lucia loves cooking, baking, and playing cards. Her favorite artists are Robert Longo, Paulo Nimer Pjota and Lucy Sparrow.

“I joined MUSE because Duke has helped me realize my passion for art, through visits to the Nasher and taking my first art history classes here. I want other students to experience all that Duke has to offer for the arts, with the Nasher being at the heart of it. I hope each student can find an artwork in the Nasher that they personally connect to and continue to come back to.”

Charlotte is a sophomore pursuing a major in history, a minor in art history, and a certificate in human rights. She is a print editor for the Duke Undergraduate Law Review, a member of the Student Advisory Board for the Duke Human Rights Center at the Franklin Humanities Institute, and a mentor for the Durham Refugee Education and Mentorship program at Duke. Outside of school, she enjoys playing tennis and drawing.

“I grew up in New York City surrounded by museums and galleries, fueling my passion for art. I greatly appreciate that Duke houses a museum where I can continue exploring creation, curation, and culture! My favorite artwork at the Nasher is Bite (2021-2024) by Raheleh Filsoofi. I love the way the artist chose to explore themes of roots, resistance, and ritual. I joined MUSE in order to foster Duke community engagement with art and the Nasher. I am excited to continue honing my passion for art and creativity on campus!”

Ruby is a Robertson Scholar majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Visual Arts. She participates in TEDxDuke, Duke’s Pre-Law & Government society (KAPI), and Club Triathlon. She also received a Duke Arts grant and works at the sculpture studio. Beyond campus, she engages in wrongful-conviction advocacy, co-curates exhibitions featuring incarcerated artists and poets, and helps lead a food-justice project in the Bay Area. Ruby is also a poet, painter, printmaker, sculptor, carpenter, and member of the U.S. National Kayak Team. One of her favorite artists at Duke is Stephen Hayes, whose work and mentorship of her own sculptural practice has strengthened her belief in art’s ability to illuminate history, preserve memory, and inspire social change.

“I joined MUSE because the Nasher has felt like a creative home since my first week at Duke, when I participated in a screen-printing workshop at the museum. I am excited to engage with Nasher initiatives like We the People and help other students discover the museum as a dynamic, welcoming place for curiosity, meaningful conversation, and connection with Durham’s broader arts community.”

Caroline Lam is a sophomore from Charlotte, North Carolina. Caroline is majoring in Art History: Museum Theory & Practice, minoring in Italian, and pursuing a certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. She is involved in Duke Presidential Ambassadors, Bass Connections, the Marketing Committee for the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, Alpha Phi Sorority, and serves as an Evaluator for the North Carolina Future Problem Solving program. Outside of academics, she loves traveling, exploring art and natural history museums, trying new food and coffee places with friends, reading historical fiction, going to Duke Basketball games, listening to Taylor Swift, and going to workout classes.

“My favorite Nasher artist is Kehinde Wiley and my favorite artwork at the Nasher is Wangechi Mutu’s MamaRay (2020). I joined MUSE because I view the Nasher Museum as Duke’s cultural heartbeat, and it is one of my favorite places on campus. The Nasher is a visual library, serving as a place for education, fostering open-mindedness and cultural awareness, providing tangible ways to understand the past. I view art as a conduit to connection and communication, and serving on MUSE enables me to help bridge the museum and the student body. The Nasher Museum also plays an important role in the community, connecting Duke and Durham. I look forward to exploring the Nasher’s commitment to inclusivity, representation, and engagement with both Duke and Durham.”

Ella is a sophomore from New York studying Economics and Political Science. She is an analyst for Duke Venture Group, a member of the Duke Association for Business Oriented Women, and a writer for Front Row. In her free time she hikes on the Al Buehler trail or can usually be found throwing pottery at the Arts Annex. Her favorite Nasher work is Ansel Adams’ Sand Dunes, Sunrise, Death Valley National Park, California (c. 1948, printed 1980).

“Art has always been a grounding and calming presence in my otherwise hectic life. I believe balance is key to success, and at a place as academically demanding as Duke, the Nasher offers exactly that. I want students to see the museum as a place they can return to whenever they need to slow down, whether that means studying in the café, wandering through a new exhibition, or meeting up with friends surrounded by art. I joined MUSE to help be a bridge between students and the Nasher, especially for those who don’t yet see it as a place for them.”

Mallika is a sophomore at Duke studying Art History with a concentration in Museum Theory and Practice. Mallika is the VP of Graphic Design for DuARTS, a writer for Recess, the arts section of the Chronicle, the archive curation junior historian for Duke Student Government, a part of Duke Business of Retail Society, and a dancer in Duke Lasya. She loves making art from painting to dancing. Her favorite Nasher artist is Nicholas Monro, and her favorite piece is his Green Figures (1970).

“I wanted to join MUSE because I believe I can bring a unique perspective having worked at the Nasher in the registrar department as a South Asian artist myself. I am very excited to contribute my voice and bring new ideas to MUSE.”

Bennett Wintroub is a sophomore from San Francisco studying Public Policy. She has a passion for music, particularly guitar and voice. Her favorite artist at the Nasher is Kehinde Wiley, and her favorite piece is Nina Katchadourian’s Untitled (Salt and Pepper Shaker) (2007).

“I joined MUSE because I am excited to bring together different corners of Duke’s campus and create experiences that get more students involved with art and the museum.”

Archana is a first-year from Phoenix, Arizona, majoring in Electrical Engineering. On campus, she is involved with DTech, neuroengineering research, and Duke’s bhangra team. In her free time, she loves hiking, painting, and exploring downtown Durham.

“I joined MUSE to advocate for student engagement with the arts at Duke, enabling connection with human perspectives beyond the classroom. I especially love art that bridges data and the humanities. My favorite Nasher artist is Allison Zuckerman.”

Lauren Levinson is a first-year from New York City, planning to major in Sociology with a minor in Economics and a certificate in Markets and Management. In her free time, she loves to be active: she plays golf, volleyball, figure skates, and enjoys trying workout classes. Lauren is also a big traveler; she has always loved seeing new places and experiencing different cultures.

“Art, to me, has always been a material form of connection, and the messages even the simplest pieces can express are so powerful. The extensive Nasher collection of incredible works makes it hard to choose a favorite; however, the pieces that stood out to me recently were Barkley L. Hendricks’s landscapes in Everything Now All At Once. The feeling of connection is also why I wanted to join MUSE. I’m incredibly passionate about art, and I would love to use my experience working in gallery spaces and exhibition curation to help more students discover the Nasher and maybe even experience that same sense of connection. What excites me most about the Nasher is that it brings a different type of education to campus: it is a place where students can step away from their busy schedules and experience something new and enriching.”

MUSE members Phoebe Oblak, Ella Rubell, Natalia Immordino, and Charlotte Yew in front of Shadow and Light (For Julian Francis Abele) by Odili Donald Odita. Photo by Samantha Everette.

MUSE members Phoebe Oblak, Ella Rubell, Natalia Immordino, and Charlotte Yew in front of Shadow and Light (For Julian Francis Abele) by Odili Donald Odita. Photo by Samantha Everette.

Questions?

Please contact Gabrielle Tenedero, Student Engagement and Academic Initiatives Coordinator, at gabrielle.tenedero@duke.edu.

Support

Nasher MUSE is generously supported by The Sahm Family Foundation.

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