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Tuesday, February 11, 2025

The Person Who Asks “Why?”

Jennifer Evans dishes on yacht rock, curiosity, and the importance of cultural institutions

To say Jennifer Evans is in her element at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science may be an understatement. The 1993 Central High School alumna’s new job as the museum’s John W. Streetman Executive Director quenches her lifelong curiosity —something piqued by the 45,000-plus artifacts in the museum’s permanent collection. In her new role, Evans — who held past director positions at WNIN, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, and Leadership Everyone — pairs that thirst for knowledge with her nonprofit work experience.

“I didn’t go to school to be a historian or a scientist or an art curator, but I have a deep appreciation for those things,” she says. “My vision is to be the person … who helps encourage and make things happen that others want to see happen, and to do it in a thoughtful way that makes sense and honors the people who laid such a great foundation for the museum.”

EVANSVILLE BUSINESS: WHY DID YOU JUMP AT THIS JOB OPPORTUNITY?

Jennifer Evans: I love our museum. I experienced it throughout my life, starting as a child with my parents and on field trips. I’m curious … and I get to work with an organization that … hits all those things that please me as an individual. I’m a person who loves to ask why.

EB: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MUSEUM’S STRONGEST ATTRIBUTES?

JE: People who love the museum and support it — staff, board members, donors, public, and members. And the history of our museum and how long it has been such a cultural mainstay. We are so lucky to have the cultural institutions we have.

EB: WHY DOES THE MUSEUM INVEST IN CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING?

JE: Exposing them to our history and culture and universe and wonderful works of art, you never know what that may inspire. It can be part of their life and [foster] a deep appreciation, or they can build a career from it.

EB: SHARE SOME OF YOUR OTHER INTERESTS.

JE: I absolutely love gardening. It’s something I’ve been doing since I was a child. I love traveling to … new and familiar places, learning about those cultures. I’m very passionate about music — everything from classical and jazz to yacht rock and rap.

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