Grand Rapids Public Museum president/CEO to retire at end of 2026

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Grand Rapids Public Museum President & CEO Dale Robertson will retire on December 31, 2026.

The museum made the announcement today in a news release. Dale Robertson has been with the public museum for more than 16 years. He has presided during an era when the museum says it has increased attendance by more than 200 percent and stabilized finances.

“The Foundation Board of Trustees is sincerely grateful for all of Mr. Robertson’s dedicated efforts that he has given to the Public Museum,” said Linsey Gleason, Chair of the Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation Board of Trustees.

Here are more details from GRPM news release:

As president and CEO, Robertson has paved the way for the Public Museum’s nationally-acclaimed revolutionary growth, innovation and development, including increasing attendance by over 200%, stabilizing finances, and embracing and capitalizing on the museum’s traditional role as an educational institution, which included the addition of new and unique instructional offerings and making our collections available both online and for teaching and student use. Additionally, he co-founded the award-winning Grand Rapids Public Museum School, a 6-12 grade school in the Grand Rapids Public Schools district in collaboration with GVSU’s College of Education and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.

During his tenure, Robertson orchestrated the passage of a millage that provided financial stability for the publicly owned Museum and fully embraced the Universal Design for Learning principles, positioning the Public Museum to be physically and cognitively accessible to the broader community.

“I want to express my thanks and appreciation to Mr. Robertson for his dedication and commitment to the Public Museum’s mission and substantial growth,” said Gleason. “The Board of Trustees will embark on a search process that ensures a smooth and seamless transition, while continuing the Museum’s significant work in the community.”

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Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a 170-year-old, publicly-owned institution home to more than 250,000 unique artifacts that tell the history of Kent County and beyond. Funded in part by Kent County taxpayers through a 10-year millage (2016), the Grand Rapids Public Museum offers three floors of exhibits, the region’s only planetarium, extensive educational offerings, and protection of The Mounds, a National Historic Landmark. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, with its primary location in downtown Grand Rapids, MI at 272 Pearl Street, NW. For additional information including hours of operation, admission fees including Kent County discounts, and exhibit/event listings, visit grpm.org.