Arts organizations need great art; they also need great numbers.
The combination of budget supervision and service to artists drew Rob Knebel to the Nasher Museum, where he accepted the position of Deputy Director of Operations on December 1, 2019. He came to the museum from Duke Divinity School, where he was associate dean of finance and administration and chief financial officer for the past 12 years.
“I am very excited to be part of such an outstanding art museum,” he said, “and have the opportunity to apply my experience as a senior business officer at Duke.”
In his previous role at the Divinity School, Rob worked with five successive deans—during times of thriving success and also through the challenges of recession. Before that, he spent 15 years in development and management roles with various community arts organizations and emerging start- up projects. Overseeing operations is a skill he learned early in his career. After graduate school, he was hired by the Arts Council of Winston-Salem as vice president of finance and operations. He served as interim executive director of Piedmont Craftsmen in Winston-Salem and directed the operation of the Sawtooth Building, a visual arts education and exhibition facility. He was also a part of the team that built the technical capacity of a new School of Filmmaking at UNC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem.
Rob earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He also earned dual graduate degrees there: Master of Business Administration and Master of Art in Arts Administration.
“Rob is a perfect fit for the Nasher; he has so much Duke experience with the Provost’s office in finances and human resources. And he longs to be back in an art environment. He’ll be a great team player for the always outstanding and innovative Nasher team,” Sarah Schroth said.