The Biggs Museum of American Art Welcomes Kristin Pleasanton as Grants & Strategic Initiatives Manager

The Biggs Museum of American Art is pleased to announce that Kristin Pleasanton will join the Museum’s Development team as Grants & Strategic Initiatives Manager beginning July 16, 2026.

Pleasanton brings more than three decades of experience advancing arts, culture, and community initiatives throughout Delaware. Most recently, she retired as Deputy Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts following a distinguished 33-year career in state service, where she worked under eight governors and helped shape many of Delaware’s most impactful arts programs and partnerships.

During her tenure with the Division of the Arts, Pleasanton helped lead initiatives including the reinstatement of the Delaware Poet Laureate program, the creation of the Delaware Writers Retreat and Delaware Artist Roster, and the development of the Delaware Arts Summit and Governor’s Awards for the Arts. She also played a key role in launching Delaware’s statewide Access Creative Aging initiative and securing significant public and private funding to support arts organizations and programs throughout the state.

At The Biggs, Pleasanton will focus on grant management, including cultivating support from foundations, corporations and government sources, and strategic initiatives that support the Museum’s mission and long-term vision for growth.

Her appointment comes as the Museum significantly expands its Development team to support continued organizational growth, ambitious future-facing initiatives, and transformational investments in The Biggs and downtown Dover. The expansion reflects the Museum’s commitment to building the capacity, relationships, and resources necessary to serve the community for generations to come while capitalizing on the extraordinary momentum the institution has generated in recent years.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kristin to The Biggs team,” said Sandra James, Deputy Director Director of The Biggs Museum of American Art. “Kristin’s unparalleled knowledge of Delaware’s arts and cultural landscape, combined with her experience building partnerships and securing resources for communities across the state, makes her an extraordinary addition to our organization. Her expertise will be instrumental as The Biggs continues to expand its impact and advance transformational initiatives for our community.”

Pleasanton’s career has been defined by a commitment to increasing access to the arts, strengthening cultural organizations, and building collaborative relationships across Delaware’s nonprofit, education, and government sectors.

“I’m excited to join The Biggs at such an important moment in the Museum’s history,” said Pleasanton. “The Biggs has established itself as a vital cultural anchor for Delaware, and I look forward to helping advance the Museum’s mission, deepen community partnerships, and support initiatives that ensure the arts remain accessible and meaningful for all.”

Pleasanton’s appointment comes at an exciting time for The Biggs as the Museum continues to expand its programming, deepen community partnerships, and advance transformative initiatives for both the institution and downtown Dover. With the Development team growing to support this work, The Biggs invites passionate and talented individuals to explore opportunities to join the organization and contribute to this exciting chapter of growth and transformation. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the Museum’s website to explore current openings and help shape The Biggs’ next chapter.