Liz Munsell Brings Two Decades of Museum Experience to Powerhouse Arts

Powerhouse Arts has named Liz Munsell as its new vice president of curatorial and arts programs, marking a significant step in the organization’s continued growth as a cultural anchor in Brooklyn. The senior leadership role underscores the institution’s broader mission to position the arts as a vital component of civic life while expanding access to creative resources for artists and the public alike.

Based in Gowanus, Powerhouse Arts operates as a purpose-built hub for fabrication, education and public programming, serving thousands of artists, educators and community members each year. The organization has steadily built a reputation as a space where artistic production and community engagement intersect, contributing to Brooklyn’s evolving creative economy.

In her new role, Munsell will work alongside President Eric Shiner and the leadership team to shape exhibitions and public programs that deepen community connections and broaden participation in the arts. Her responsibilities include developing major annual exhibitions, expanding education initiatives in partnership with the Learning and Engagement team and overseeing programming tied to artist residencies, subsidies, plus institutional partnerships.

“Liz brings a valuable combination of curatorial rigor, institutional insight, and a deep commitment to artists,” said Shiner. “Her leadership will help us further model what an arts institution can be in the twenty-first century, with a focus on artistic production, collaboration, and community.”

Munsell arrives with nearly two decades of experience across major museums and nonprofit institutions, bringing a background that blends curatorial leadership with a focus on artist-centered practices. Her transition to Powerhouse Arts reflects a shift toward institutions that emphasize process, collaboration and accessibility over traditional exhibition models.

“Having dedicated my career to traditional museums with extraordinary collections and weighty histories, I was drawn to the opportunity to rethink how institutions support artists,” says Munsell. “Powerhouse Arts provides an environment of deep material, technical, and community resources that aligns closely with my artist and audience-centered curatorial practice.”

A key focus of her work will be building an exhibitions program that highlights the often unseen aspects of artistic production, including fabrication and experimentation. By making these processes more visible, the organization aims to invite broader audiences into the creative experience and encourage greater participation from diverse communities.

Her appointment also aligns with wider efforts to rethink the structure and values of arts institutions. In 2021, Munsell co-founded Museums Moving Forward, an initiative dedicated to improving equity and labor conditions within the museum sector. Her move to Powerhouse Arts signals an opportunity to apply those principles within a newer, more flexible institutional model.

The leadership expansion comes as Powerhouse Arts continues to grow its curatorial team. Constanza Valenzuela has joined as associate curator, bringing experience from the High Line and a background in developing large-scale public art projects and collaborative exhibitions. Her work across institutions and independent platforms adds to the organization’s emphasis on artist-driven programming.

Together, the team is expected to shape the next phase of exhibitions, public engagement and artist support at Powerhouse Arts, reinforcing its role as a dynamic cultural hub in Brooklyn.