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Andrew Satake Blauvelt "The Museum and its City" In his speech, “The Museum and its City,” Andrew will discuss Cranbrook’s latest initiative, the Detroit Collection, a project to build a visual arts history of the city since the 1960s, a project that began quietly nine years ago from a gift to the museum. He will trace a trajectory in community and civic engagement from experiments at the Walker Art Center, where he worked previously, to those undertaken at Cranbrook over the past decade. |  |
Andrew Satake Blauvelt has served as Director of Cranbrook Art Museum since 2015. Over the past decade, Cranbrook has ambitiously expanded its exhibitions, public programs, collections, scholarly research, and partnerships with both local and national peers. Prior to Cranbrook, Andrew worked at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis in a variety of curatorial and administrative roles where he first directed and guided the brand identity of the institution across all media platforms; oversaw the first inter-departmental division responsible for audience , community, and civic engagement; managed major organizational initiatives and building expansion projects; and organized numerous exhibitions and publications as senior curator.
Wednesday Keynote
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Rebecca Bahar-Cook MSU Board of Trustees "Finding the Right Path by Taking the Wrong One First" In this inspiring talk, you'll hear the story of a woman who thought she had it all figured out — a move to Washington, D.C., a clear career path, a vision for the future. But when that vision didn’t feel right, she made a bold choice to return to Michigan and start over. What followed was an unexpected journey through nonprofit fundraising, entrepreneurship, and public service — a journey that proved the wrong path can still lead to the right destination. This is a reflection on resilience, reinvention, and trusting yourself enough to change course. |
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Rebecca Bahar-Cook is a Michigan-based nonprofit leader and public servant with a career spanning fundraising, local government, and higher education governance.
A 1992 graduate of Michigan State University, Bahar-Cook began her career working for Congressman Bob Carr in both Michigan and Washington, D.C., sparking her interest in public service and political engagement. She later helped create Capitol Fundraising Associates, where she has led fundraising efforts for numerous nonprofits and civic initiatives, including the Greater Lansing Food Bank, Equality Michigan, and the Michigan Political Leadership Program.
From 2006 to 2016, Bahar-Cook served as an Ingham County Commissioner, representing parts of Lansing. She also held roles on the Ingham County Jury Board and chaired the Ingham County Board of Canvassers during the 2020 Election.
In 2024, Bahar-Cook was elected to the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, beginning her eight-year term on January 1, 2025.
Beyond her professional roles, Bahar-Cook is active in community service. She chairs the Capitol Area Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board and serves on the boards of the Capital Region Community Foundation and the UM Health Sparrow Specialty Hospital. She is also the president of the Rotary Club of Lansing for the 2024–2025 term.
Bahar-Cook resides in East Lansing with her husband, Todd, and is the proud parent of two MSU graduates.
2025 Conference Partners
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The Michigan Museums Association is supported in part by an award from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.
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| 313-334-7643 | P.O. Box 5246 | Cheboygan, MI 49721 |