President & CEO, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center

Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center

Annie VanGelderen joined the BBAC Board of Directors in 2003 and later also assumed a full-time volunteer staff position as Enterprises Director.  In 2011, she was appointed President and CEO of the BBAC. VanGelderen plays a leadership role in the community, serving on the boards of the Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham's Public Arts Board, and the Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Council. She is also on the advisory council of Southfield's Partnerships for Education Council and the membership committee of the regional CultureSource organization. In Oakland County, she is an alumna of Leadership Oakland and of the Advanced Leadership Institute. In 2015, she was given the Leader of Leaders Award. VanGelderen was also a member of the 2015-16 Leadership Detroit class. Since 2011, with a focus on inclusivity and increasing opportunities to those who might otherwise lack access, she has advanced the BBAC’s roster of ArtAccess programs. Beneficiaries include individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, incarcerated youth, people of all ages with cognitive and physical challenges, and senior citizens. VanGelderen continues her own practice of art-making and is committed to the BBAC vision of “art for all.” On October 25, she will bring to the Rotary meeting a Halloween-inspired art package for everyone to take home!