About Our
Speaker: Merijn van der Heijden , Executive Director, Dublin Arts Council
Speaker: Merijn van der Heijden , Executive Director, Dublin Arts CouncilTopic: Arts and culture bring people together, strengthen civic life, and enrich community well-being, while shaping Dublin’s identity and future. This talk will explore how initiatives across the city spark connection, collaboration, and creativity, and how everyone can play a part in building a vibrant, thriving community.
Bio: Merijn van der Heijden is an experienced arts administrator and curator with over 20 years in visual arts leadership, curatorial practice, and higher education. She currently serves as Executive Director of Dublin Arts Council, where she leads strategic initiatives to advance community engagement and support for the arts.
Previously, Merijn directed Urban Arts Space and Hopkins Hall Gallery at The Ohio State University (2017–2024), overseeing a period of growth, and strengthened community partnerships. Her earlier roles at OSU included Deputy Director of Exhibitions and Curatorial Practice and Assistant Dean and Director of the Arts and Sciences Honors Program.
She holds a BFA from the Akademie voor Beeldende Vorming in the Netherlands and an MFA from Ohio State. Merijn remains actively involved in Ohio’s arts ecosystem through service on the Columbus Arts Commission, the Columbus Public Art Plan Steering Committee, and as a frequent juror and panelist for exhibitions and festivals nationwide.
For photos from this meeting, please go to our Flickr website: Dublin AM Rotary’s albums | Flickr
For the video of this meeting, please go to our YouTube Channel: Dublin AM Rotary - YouTube