The National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA) is proud to announce the hire of Kennis Forte, Ph.D., to fill the role of associate curator of art. The Museum underwent a year-long search for an exemplary candidate, and Kennis’ qualifications made her an ideal fit for the role.

Forte recently completed her Ph.D. at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, with a dissertation focused on the Italian Sacri Monti. Her master’s thesis examined academic sculpture in France during the late-nineteenth century. Forte’s depth and breadth of knowledge of Early Modern sculpture will enable her to take up the study and care of NMWA’s collection of European and American sculpture from the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. She received curatorial training from museums in Canada, the United States, and Europe. In addition, her experience in planning, preparing, and installing exhibitions will be an asset to NMWA’s curatorial team.

“My dissertation research focused a great deal on the importance of place in establishing and expressing the cultural importance of works of art,” says Forte. “This museum honors the connections between art and nature in so many beautiful ways. I am so pleased to be joining the wonderful team here at the Museum in exploring how wildlife art can represent and influence our relationship to the natural world.” 

In her new role, Forte will work alongside Curator of Art Tammi Hanawalt, Ph.D., to research and execute changing exhibitions and maintain a permanent collection that connects humanity with wildlife and nature. “I am thrilled to have Kennis joining the curatorial team,” says Hanawalt. “Her background knowledge of historic European art will certainly add another level of insight into the presentation and interpretation of our collection and to our collaborations,” she continues. “We are fortunate to have her working with us!”

This position also spearheads the Museum’s Bull-Bransom award and other research-related projects. Forte has experience in digital technologies and hopes to work on making NMWA’s collection more accessible to audiences around the world.