Meet Dr. Dana Whitelaw

Art & Culture Meet Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., Executive Director

Enchanted by the Awe & Wonder of the High Desert Museum

Growing up in Eugene, Dana Whitelaw visited the High Desert Museum regularly when her family came to Central Orgon. “It inspired awe and wonder in me then and continues to do so for me every day,” said Dana, who has been the museum’s executive director for 14 years.

Dana shared the High Desert Museum’s founder, Don Kerr, was truly a visionary, and his mission for the Museum is just as relevant today as it did when it opened 40 years ago. “He said the purpose of the Museum is to “wildly excite and responsibly teach,” and that’s what we continue to do,” Dana said. “We spark wonder through immersive experiences that lead to curiosity and learning.”

She shared the High Desert Museum takes an interdisciplinary approach to share the region’s stories through its wildlife, art, cultures, history and the natural world. “There’s something here for everyone,” Dana said. “It’s always inspiring to see visitors from elders to children, with each person getting excited by a different piece of the experience.”

What makes the museum a treasure to visit often is there’s always something new to discover. Visitors can engage from a variety of experiences, from a raptor swooping right overhead to an interpreter discussing life in 1904 in first-person to exhibitions that are rich and perhaps unexpected. Nine temporary exhibits are debuted every year, proving visitors with a firsthand delightful way to learn and explore.

What is your favorite exhibit at the museum?

“Our permanent exhibition dedicated to the peoples of the Indigenous Plateau, By Hand Through Memory, shares powerful stories of Native peoples of the region in both the past and present. I appreciate the beautiful artistry and the contemporary perspectives it contains.”

When you are not at the museum, you can be found…

“Skiing or running with my family and dogs.”

What’s next for the museum?

“We’re honored to celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2022 — we’re so fortunate to have the deep support of the region. We’re excited to continue growing our mission of wonder and learning in the years ahead!”