Danielle Olsen’s Vision for a More Engaging, Inclusive Museum Experience

On any given day, Danielle Olsen ’14 might be found deep in conversation with a contemporary artist, fine-tuning an immersive program, or mentoring an emerging museum professional. As the Director of Programming at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Mass., Olsen is reimagining how audiences connect with art, fusing innovation with the museum’s deep-rooted history to create programs that resonate across generations.

“My role is to create experiences that connect people with art in fresh and dynamic ways,” Olsen said. “No two days are the same—I could be brainstorming new programs, collaborating with artists, or working with curators to integrate programming into exhibitions.”

A Liberal Arts Foundation

Olsen’s path to museum work was, in her words, unexpected. Initially planning to major in Communications, a history of photography course altered her direction. “It just clicked for me in a way that nothing else had,” she said. Inspired by Emmanuel’s liberal arts curriculum, she designed an individualized major in Art History and Communications, taking specialized courses through the Colleges of the Fenway consortium at institutions like Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Simmons University.

“Emmanuel’s liberal arts model played a pivotal role in shaping my career. It fostered critical thinking, creativity, and interdisciplinary learning—all essential skills in museum work, where you need to consider diverse perspectives and how different disciplines intersect,” she said. “Emmanuel taught me to think critically about art, its context, and its impact—skills that have been invaluable in my career.”

Beyond academics, Olsen appreciated Emmanuel’s close-knit community. “Being in Boston, we had access to world-class museums like the MFA [Museum of Fine Arts] and the Gardner, but Emmanuel offered that small-college support where professors really knew and cared about their students.” One of those mentors, Professor of Art Dr. Cynthia Fowler, encouraged Olsen to pursue her interests further.

“Because of her mentorship, I earned distinction in art history, received the Dr. Donald Procaccini Award for excellence in Art History for my senior thesis on Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain, and presented my work at the New England Visual Culture Consortium at the MFA,” Olsen recalled. “Those were things I never imagined for myself.”

Shaping the Field—and the Future

At PEM, one of the country’s oldest continuously operating museums, Olsen’s role goes beyond exhibitions. She oversees internship and fellowship programs. “Mentorship is something I care deeply about,” she said. “Creating accessible, paid opportunities and exposing young professionals to the field is incredibly important.” In 2021, she launched the Emerging Arts Leaders teen internship program to foster a sense of belonging in museum spaces for youth from diverse backgrounds. “One of the things I love most about PEM is our commitment to lifelong learning,” she said. “We want to engage people at every stage of life, whether they’re young children, families, or adults seeking deeper cultural experiences.”

As museums nationwide grapple with accessibility, diversity, and engagement, Olsen sees her work as part of a broader evolution. “Museums have an incredible opportunity to grow alongside their audiences,” she said. “It’s about meeting people where they are—sometimes literally. We’re bringing programming into schools and community spaces.”

She also recognizes the broader responsibilities museums carry. “Historically, museums have been gatekeepers,” she said. “Now, we need to be more reflective of the communities we serve—not just inviting people in but going out to meet them.”

For students interested in museum careers, Olsen offered practical advice: “Get as much hands-on experience as possible—internships, volunteering, part-time roles. Museums need people in all areas, from education to marketing to finance. There’s not one singular path to working in this field.”

Olsen’s own path continues to evolve. In addition to her work at PEM, she has returned to Boston University, where she earned her Master of Science, as a lecturer in their Arts Administration program. “Teaching has been a new and rewarding experience,” she said. “It’s exciting to help shape the future of the field, just as my mentors did for me.”

Looking ahead, Olsen is enthusiastic about the potential of museum programming. “We’re working on projects as far ahead as 2029,” she said. “There’s so much possibility in interdisciplinary collaborations, immersive storytelling, and community-driven initiatives. My hope is that when people walk into PEM, they see themselves reflected in what we do.”

That vision—a museum grounded in history, responsive to its audience, and open to change—is one Olsen has nurtured since her days at Emmanuel. Now, leading PEM’s programming, she is ensuring that vision thrives.