Niki Ciccotelli Stewart Named Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Vice President and Chief Learning & Engagement Officer

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has named Niki Ciccotelli Stewart its Vice President and Chief Learning & Engagement Officer.

As an artist, educator, and seasoned museum professional, Stewart most recently served as Chief Learning and Engagement Officer at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. She was instrumental to the art foundation Art Bridges where she created and initiated grant-making, collection sharing, and exhibition programs that continue to serve people across America.

Notably, Stewart brings over eleven years worth of experience in a variety of roles at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AR. During her time with Crystal Bridges, Stewart was part of the inaugural team that conceptualized and launched the museum. She went on to create an endowed school visit program, designed and curated a variety of exhibitions which included programmatic design for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House, and was a vital part of the museum’s expansion to a second site. 

“At Crystal Bridges, Art Bridges, and the Academy of Natural Sciences, I was encouraged to explore how we might transform the museum experience and take it to the next level—make it even more engaging, more relevant, more meaningful, and more fun,” Stewart mused. “This kind of work is exciting, and gives teams the freedom to innovate, collaborate with community members, and connect with new audiences in the process. I’ve learned so much from this approach to museum meaning-making, and I’m eager to bring that same energy to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.”

“We’re thrilled to add Niki’s thought leadership around engaging museum experiences to our team, especially as the world is recovering from the pandemic and needs the kinds of connection that Wright designed more than ever.  Niki will help us to create opportunities for understanding, healing, and thriving through this great American legacy that is Frank Lloyd Wright’s work.”

In addition to Stewart’s many recent professional milestones, she has a strong, solid background in art education with experience gleaned from art museums, public schools, and even in various capacities at The Walt Disney company. Stewart has served as a member of the American Alliance of Museum’s Education Committee leadership team, is a founding faculty member of the National Art Education Association’s School for Art Leaders, and is a graduate of the Getty Museum Leadership Institute.

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation President & CEO Stuart Graff said, “We’re thrilled to add Niki’s thought leadership around engaging museum experiences to our team, especially as the world is recovering from the pandemic and needs the kinds of connection that Wright designed more than ever.  Niki will help us to create opportunities for understanding, healing, and thriving through this great American legacy that is Frank Lloyd Wright’s work.”

“I’m truly honored to join the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in this role,” Stewart said. “Throughout my career, I’ve always focused on building connections between art, architecture, nature, and people. This idea is central to Wright’s philosophy and the Foundation’s mission, and I’m very excited to continue that work with the Foundation.”