AMSET Appoints New Executive Director, Noël Merriam
(Beaumont, TX; August 11, 2025) The Art Museum of Southeast Texas (AMSET) is proud to announce the appointment of Noël Merriam as its new Executive Director. A seasoned arts leader with more than three decades of experience in museum administration, education, and community engagement, Merriam brings a wealth of expertise and a deep passion for making art accessible to all.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve the Beaumont community and surrounding region as the new Executive Director of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas,” Merriam said. “As a native Texan, I am delighted to be back in my home state. I was drawn to AMSET for the high caliber of its exhibitions, the visibility it provides to local and regional artists, and the excellence of its educational programs. With the support of AMSET’s talented team and engaged board of trustees, I am committed to building on the Museum’s 75-year legacy to collaboratively create a strong foundation for our next 75 years.”
Merriam began her museum career at the Dallas Museum of Art, where she served as artist-in-residence for two consecutive years. While in Dallas, she also worked as a teaching artist for Young Audiences of Greater Dallas and the Texas Commission on the Arts. She went on to join the San Antonio Museum of Art, holding multiple roles in the Education Department and ultimately serving as Director of Education, Diversity, and Inclusion. Most recently, Merriam was the Artistic Director at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she provided artistic and educational leadership for its museum, performing arts center, and history and literary arts center.
Throughout her career, Merriam has championed accessible, participatory arts experiences and built meaningful partnerships between museums and the communities they serve.
Merriam concluded, “I look forward to meeting new people in the Southeast Texas community, strengthening partnerships, and reestablishing connections with my network of artists and museums across the state”.