Today we’d like to introduce you to Dennos Museum Center.
Hi Dennos, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Dennos Museum Center opened on July 6, 1991, following nearly a decade of regional input, advocacy, and support from more than 1,000 donors and several state grants. Initially proposed as a Phase II expansion of the Fine Arts Building at Northwestern Michigan College, the museum was instead constructed on the east side of campus to better welcome visitors and strengthen community engagement.
Founding Director Gene Jenneman, hired in 1988, oversaw the planning, design, and construction of the original facility as well as the museum’s 30,000 sq ft expansion which was completed in 2018. During his 30-year tenure, he guided the development of the museum’s extensive and distinguished collection of contemporary Inuit art, as well as numerous temporary exhibitions spanning subjects from European masters and ancient Egypt to skateboard photography and the activist work of the Guerrilla Girls. The museum also became known for its annual concert series, which showcased local, regional, national, and international talent.
In 2019, the museum appointed its second Executive Director, Craig Hadley, to lead the institution into the future. Under his leadership, the museum has navigated a changing social landscape and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining its commitment to exceptional art experiences and meaningful community dialogue. Today, while continuing to present exhibitions and performances, the Dennos focuses on new priorities—pursuing first-time accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, cultivating innovative partnerships, and advancing inclusivity across its programs and operations.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. As an auxiliary operation of Northwestern Michigan College, the museum is self-funded through earned revenue, donations, grants, and endowments—requiring constant creativity and resilience to sustain our mission. Like many arts organizations across the state, we have faced the ongoing challenge of balancing limited resources with growing community demand. Economic fluctuations, shifting funding priorities at the state and federal level, and the lingering effects of the pandemic have tested our adaptability throughout the years. Yet, as the largest community college museum in Michigan—and one of the only museums of its scale north of Grand Rapids—we remain deeply committed to providing access to the arts in a region that might otherwise go without. For many across our ten-county service area, we continue to be their first, and sometimes only, museum experience.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Dennos Museum Center’s collection includes one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Inuit art and research catalogs in the United States. Established in the 1960s by Bernie Rink, then director of the Osterlin Library at Northwestern Michigan College, Mr. Rink grew the collection to 500 works through donations and annual purchases. With the opening of the Dennos Museum Center in 1991, the collection was moved to its new home. In 1995, Philip Power donated over 200 works from his father Eugene’s collection. The Power Family Inuit Gallery was named in recognition of this gift and Eugene Power’s involvement in bringing Inuit art to the United States. The Dudley and Barbara Smith Wing for Inuit Art was built in 2017 and represents the Smith family’s longtime support of Inuit art and patronage of the Dennos Museum Center.
Today, thanks to many collectors and supporters, the Inuit art collection includes works from master artists like Kenojuak Ashevak, Pitseolak Ashoona, Kananginak Pootoogook, Pudlo Pudlat, Judas Ullulaq, and Jessie Oonark. Celebrated 21st-century artists include Shuvinai Ashoona, Annie Pootoogook, Ningeokuluk Teevee, and the Ruben brothers: David Ruben Piqtoukun and Abraham Anghik Ruben. With shared traditions and continually innovative approaches, these artists express the culture and experiences of the Inuit people—past, present, and future.
While the museum is nationally recognized for its Inuit art collection, its impact extends well beyond the galleries. Through dynamic programs and community partnerships, the Dennos continues to foster creativity, connection, and cultural exchange across northern Michigan. Participation has surged. In fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025), 12,500 people engaged in 112 programs, nearly ten times the pre-COVID annual average of 1,400. The increase highlights a clear appetite for arts engagement in our region, with new leadership helping the museum meet this demand in fresh and creative ways. Regular Second Sundays Art Projects, comedy nights, dance parties, hands-on workshops, and innovative community events engage everyone from young families to retirees. Nearly 3,000 K–12 students visit annually, many experiencing an art museum for the first time. The Dennos is also deeply committed to access and inclusion. In 2024, the museum became a Certified Autism Center (CAC), one of the first museums in Northern Michigan to do so, ensuring families of all abilities can experience the museum with confidence and support.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Yes, absolutely! The Dennos is fortunate to be supported by thousands of donors each year and by a dedicated team of volunteers who contribute in every area of the museum—from welcoming visitors to assisting with exhibitions and leading tours for local K–12 and college students.
Notable supporters and long-time advocates include the Dennos family, founding director Gene Jenneman, former staff members Terry Tarnow and Judy Albers, the Janis, Milock, and Smith families, Rotary Charities, the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, and the Michigan Arts & Culture Council—among many others whose generosity has shaped the museum’s success.
The museum also thrives through meaningful partnerships with Northwestern Michigan College, the Traverse Area District Library, the Tusen Takk Foundation, the Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network, Interlochen Public Radio, Children’s Therapy Corner, Full Tilt Comedy, and the Traverse City Dance Project, among others.
Finally, the Dennos staff deserves special recognition for their commitment to providing exceptional experiences and upholding the highest professional standards. Beyond their work at the museum, they extend their impact through community service, sharing their expertise on numerous local boards and committees.
Pricing:
- Admission: 0 – $10
- Memberships: $50 – $1000
- Event Tickets: $0 – $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dennosmuseum.org
- Instagram: @dennosmuseumcenter
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thedennos
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DennosMuseumCenter
- Other: https://shop.dennosmuseum.org
