Paul Baker Prindle named director of Kleefeld Contemporary

Published July 3, 2019

Paul Baker Prindle has been named director of the campus art museum as the institution enters a new era at Cal State Long Beach.

Baker Prindle will oversee a significant expansion as the University Art Museum is transformed into the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, or Kleefeld Contemporary for short. He has opened two new museums in the past 10 years, including the John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art at University of Reno. He also held positions at Gagosian Gallery, Edgewood College, and John Michael Kohler Arts Center.

“I'm excited to join this team of museum professionals at an important time in the life of the museum," Baker Prindle said. “We are eager to partner and collaborate, while we explore and develop new ways of connecting the arts with the community.

“My vision is for the museum is to be an outward-facing institution that foregrounds innovation, scholarship and service within a region of great diversity. The success of our efforts hinges on thoughtful and sustained engagement with our neighbors, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to build deeper connections between the University and the people we serve.”

Baker Prindle comes from University of Nevada, where he directed directorship at University of Nevada, Reno. He emphasizes diversity, inclusiveness and viewer participation in arts programming, and has developed programs that served students, school districts, as well as community elders and marginalized populations.  Throughout his career, Baker Prindle has worked to support and collect the work of self-taught artists, LGTBQ artists, Indigenous Americans and artists who identify as women.

“The renaming of the campus museum represents an exciting new era as we receive a large gift, add the Kleefeld Collection to a significant permanent collection, and plan major renovations,” said College of the Arts Dean Cyrus Parker-Jeannette. “I can't think of a better steward and collaborator to manage this transition than Paul.

“Throughout the search and selection process, Paul impressed us with his experience, open and engaging communications style and his vision.”