07/09/2026
We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Donna Matthews, Museums Alaska's longest-serving Executive Director, on June 18. https://adportal.adn.com/adportal/listingView.html?id=9795
Donna led Museums Alaska from 1994 to 2004, a decade of tremendous growth, collaboration, and advocacy for Alaska's museums. As executive director, she helped lead many important advocacy efforts for the state museum, statute changes, and national agencies, expanded partnerships to co-host regional and national conferences, launched Museums Alaska's first website, and oversaw the development of the Art Acquisition Fund grant program in partnership with the Rasmuson Foundation—a program that continued for over 20 years.
As Gail Hollinger wrote in "A Short History of Museums Alaska":
"It was snowing very hard the day Donna Matthews was to come in for an interview but like a real Alaskan, snow didn't slow her down and she arrived for her appointment exactly on time. We knew immediately that she was the perfect person for the job... Luckily for us, Donna believed in the work Museums Alaska was engaged in and wanted to be part of it."
That commitment shaped our organization during her tenure and beyond. Donna believed deeply in the power of museums to serve their communities, and her leadership helped build the strong statewide network we know today.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Donna's family, friends, and the many museum professionals whose lives she touched. Thank you, Donna, for your vision, your dedication, and the lasting legacy you have left for Alaska's museums.
