Museum Announces New Executive Director

“MUSEUM ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR” 

Telluride, Colorado (March 22, 2012) – The Telluride Historical Museum today announced the hire of Erica Kinias as Executive Director effective April 1, 2012. Kinias will be replacing Lauren Bloemsma who recently resigned after holding the top post at the museum since April of 2005.

Kinias most recently served as Programs and Grants Manager for the Arizona Humanities Council and has held positions with the Chiddingstone Castle in Kent, England and at the Museum of London. She served as Board Secretary for the Central Arizona Museum Association and as an oral history transcriber and archivist. She has Masters Degree in Museum Studies from the University College London, and an undergraduate degree in History from Arizona State University.

“Kinias is a museum professional with a passion for community outreach,” said museum Board President, Deborah Freedman. “Lauren has set the museum on a great path and laid the groundwork for a smooth transition. Erica is a leader with the strength and vision to steer the museum forward and to the next level.”

Kinias and her husband, Thanasis, will relocate from Arizona, where Mr. Kinias teaches World History at a community college in Phoenix.

When Kinias first visited the Telluride Historical Museum, she felt immediately at home. In fact, she may even have discovered a distant relative in one of Telluride’s most famous residents: L. L. Nunn, a mine owner instrumental in bringing AC current electricity to Telluride. “We’re looking through our family tree,” said Kinias, whose maiden name is Nunn.

Kinias has worked for small museums before. For two years she managed an impressive and diverse collection of Egyptian artifacts; Japanese art and armor; medieval and early modern Buddhist art; and early British paintings and manuscripts at a country house museum in a community with only 17 people.

When Kinias visited Telluride during the interview process, she took the opportunity to ask around about the museum. “Complete strangers opened up to me. They all had wonderful things to say,” she said.

“Museums are magical. They connect people’s everyday lives with the past. I am honored to work with the museum’s talented and dedicated staff and board to share Telluride’s colorful past,” said Kinias.