Nan Keeton

Nan Keeton (she/her/hers) is a strategic revenue and external relations leader, who has delivered successful cultural program and venue projects serving artists and communities. With more than 20 years of national leadership experience connecting the arts to broad and diverse audiences, Keeton understands of the needs of arts and culture organizations, the economic realities they face, and the imperative to shape an equitable future that advances inclusion and belonging for all.

Prior to joining ACG, Keeton served as Deputy Director, External Relations for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where she was responsible for leading its capital campaign, annual fund, membership, communications, marketing, visitor experience, museum store, legal, and community gallery programs. In addition to raising more than $610 million for the museum’s expansion, her leadership enlarged and diversified the donor community which doubled the museum’s annual fund and membership. The museum achieved more than 1 million visitors annually, with 48% of attendees under the age of 35. She also served as a key staff liaison to the board nominating group for the 70-member museum board in advancing a multi-year commitment to diversity.

Keeton previously led External Affairs for the San Francisco Symphony, where she served as the senior executive for earned revenue and the nationally recognized Education and Youth Orchestra effort. In addition, she was responsible for government relations, the archives, and communications. Keeton shaped and supported new initiatives in family programming, adult amateur music, and heritage-based events, with a special focus on Hispanic and Chinese American communities. She also led strategic communication for national broadcasts in classical music, six Grammy Award winning recordings, and a comprehensive online education initiative. Prior to the San Francisco Symphony, Keeton served as the Vice-President of Marketing and Business Development for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. She played a key role in the transformation of Lincoln Center, a $1.2 billion re-imagination of 16-acre city arts campus over 10 years, including public spaces and theaters, new visitors center, and a public art collection.

A current board advisor for the Amateur Music Network and a recent board member for San Francisco Travel. Keeton was a board member for Danza España and was Co-Chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee for the American Alliance of Museums’ 2020 national conference. She is also a founding member of San Francisco’s Civic Center Community Benefit District. Keeton holds a bachelor of fine arts degree and a bachelor of science, business administration degree from the University of Florida, where she was honored as an outstanding alumnus of the College of Fine Arts. She also earned a master of fine arts from New York Academy of Art.