Beth Van Why

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Adjunct Professor, MEP+D

MID, The University of the Arts
BA, Virginia Tech

Contact Info

MEP+D

Anderson Hall 2ND

Biography

Beth Van Why has more than 20 years of museum and design experience and a deep understanding of the challenges that are intrinsic to the design and project process. As an owner’s rep project manager with Becker & Frondorf, she works primarily with museums and cultural institutions. 

Before joining Becker & Frondorf, Van Why worked for the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites (ISMHS) in Indianapolis, where she was most recently chief officer of engagement. While there, she oversaw exhibitions, education and programming; maintenance; security; and historic preservation teams for the 12 locations associated with ISMHS. As VP of exhibitions, Van Why led the in-house design and renovation of six permanent galleries, creation of more than 20 temporary exhibitions throughout the system, and implementation of a new interpretive center. 

Before ISMHS, she was director of exhibition operations at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, where she led the travel and installation of the award-winning exhibition American Spirits. Van Why holds a master’s degree in Industrial Design from University of the Arts (2006) and earned her bachelor’s degree in Architecture with a minor in History from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. 

Experience

  • Van Why has worked with museums in 13 states and territories, from installing exhibitions to coordinating major renovations and expansions. 
  • In Philadelphia, she also teaches at Drexel University in the Product Design program. 
  • She also serves on the planning committee for the Building Museums Conference, which is coordinated by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums.

Contact 
bvanwhy@uarts.edu