Dean Krimmel

Dean Krimmel is a consultant specializing in interpretive planning, exhibition development, and strategic planning for museums, historic sites and houses, and other cultural nonprofits.

Mr. Krimmel works with senior staff, museum teams, boards, volunteers, and community stakeholders to create mission-driven plans, exhibitions, and visitor experiences using audience-centered, outcome-based methods honed over 40 years in the public history and museum fields.

An adjunct faculty member since 2018, Mr. Krimmel brings a breadth and depth of experience to his Baltimore seminar for M.A. in Museum Studies. His career in the museum trenches began in 1983 and has included directing a small museum of nursing history; curating a major prints and photographs collection; creating long-term and temporary exhibitions and outdoor interpretive signage; developing evaluation instruments; producing video and audio oral histories; documenting historic sites; managing complex projects; writing and reviewing grants; fundraising; facilitating focus groups and staff retreats; developing bus and walking tours and other public programs; organizing and presenting at conferences; conducting original research and publishing; serving on the board of several museums and the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums; and, opening three new museum facilities—two of which would later close.

Mr. Krimmel is passionate about helping museums deliver on their promise and potential to make a difference in people’s lives. He supports clients, colleagues, and students in their work by teaching problem solving skills, nurturing creativity, modeling humane values, sharing accumulated wisdom, and practicing the art of listening.

Among Mr. Krimmel’s past clients are Albuquerque Museum, Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum, Baltimore Museum of Industry, Calvert Marine Museum, Freer | Sackler, Smithsonian, Gallaudet University Museum, Hill-Stead Museum, Jewish Museum of Maryland, National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Museum Education Roundtable, Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, Sotterley Plantation, and Tudor Place.

Mr. Krimmel holds a B.A. in History from the University of Maryland College Park.