Nenette Luarca-Shoaf Named The Huntington’s Director of Education and Public Engagement

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens has appointed Nenette Luarca-Shoaf as the Nadine and Robert A. Skotheim Director of Education and Public Engagement, effective March 31, 2025.

A seasoned museum educator and interdisciplinary scholar, Luarca-Shoaf brings extensive leadership experience in education program development and community engagement. In her new role, she will report to Karen R. Lawrence, president of The Huntington, and lead the institution’s Education and Public Engagement division, overseeing a staff of 26 and roughly 1,000 volunteers and docents.

“Nenette will bring to The Huntington not only decades of experience as an educator and museum leader but also a proven track record of building community partnerships,” Lawrence said. “Her leadership will be instrumental in expanding our reach and ensuring that our educational programs continue to inspire visitors, from K–12 students to lifelong learners.”

Since 2020, Luarca-Shoaf has served as managing director of learning and engagement at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, where she has been strategically shaping the institution’s educational vision ahead of its highly anticipated opening. She oversaw youth and K–12 programming, public programs and creative practice, and the library, while also contributing to exhibition interpretation, digital initiatives, and building partnerships with K–12 schools and educators, colleges and universities, community organizations, and arts and culture leaders.

Before joining the Lucas Museum, Luarca-Shoaf was the director of adult learning and associate curator of interpretation at the Art Institute of Chicago (2016–2020). There, she significantly expanded audience-centered educational offerings for lifelong learners, developing gallery experiences, classes, workshops, accessibility programs, community partnerships, and experimental programming. She also played a key role in fostering collaboration among staff, volunteers, and teaching artists.

Originally from Southern California, Luarca-Shoaf holds a Ph.D. in art history from the University of Delaware and an M.A. in humanities from the University of Chicago. Her multifaceted career has included curatorial and research positions at the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. She is a co-founder of Open Rivers Journal, an open-access publication from the University of Minnesota that bridges academic research and public scholarship. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Museum Education Roundtable and is an adviser to LA River Arts.

Expanding Education and Engagement

The Huntington launched its educational activities in 1959 with a modest number of docent-led tours for students. Today, its education and engagement initiatives serve a growing audience through school programs, teacher development, intergenerational learning opportunities, and community partnerships.

Under President Lawrence’s leadership, The Huntington has expanded its collections and deepened its commitment to public engagement. The institution’s One Huntington strategic plan outlines a five-year vision for multidisciplinary collaborations, broad public engagement both on-site and online, and leadership in addressing contemporary challenges.

“Throughout my career, I have sought to raise awareness of the important roles that art, historical archives, and the natural world have in people’s daily lives,” Luarca-Shoaf said. “I’m thrilled to join The Huntington and collaborate with its passionate staff, docents, and volunteers. Together we will connect people of all ages to The Huntington’s incredible collections and shape innovative and dynamic experiences that celebrate and build on people’s lived and learned experiences.”

Luarca-Shoaf was selected through a national search conducted by Isaacson, Miller, working closely with a committee composed of members of The Huntington’s Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, and staff.

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About The Huntington

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is a cultural and educational institution of global significance. Building on Henry E. and Arabella Huntington’s renowned collections, The Huntington supports research and promotes education in the arts, humanities, and botanical science through the growth and preservation of its collections; the development of a community of scholars, school programs, and partnerships; and the display and interpretation of its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences. The Huntington is located at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California, 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Visitor information: huntington.org