Biography

Kathy Kelm is the Executive Director and Founder of Nantucket Island School of Design and the Arts (NISDA), 30 miles to sea. In the early 1970’s, Ms. Kelm, while Assistant Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design and the Arts (RISD) developed programs on Nantucket Island in interdisciplinary education which linked the study of art to science, culture and the environment. The Nantucket Island School of Design and the Arts (NISDA) grew out of these initial programs. Since then, NISDA has developed undergraduate and graduate professional development curriculums and piloted numerous programs for children, college level adults, professional artists, public school students and teachers as well as for the Nantucket Community. Since its’ inception, NISDA has granted college graduate and undergraduate credit for its’ programs through affiliations first with RISD and then Massachusetts College of Art. NISDA’s expanding Artist-in-Residence Colony welcomes emerging and seasoned interdisciplinary artists, as well as educators on sabbatical, year-round with living at NISDA’s Harbor Cottages Colony and studio/classrooms at Seaview Farm Art Center. NOSDA welcomes partnership programs with colleges and organizations. NISDA’s offerings carry the DNA of global cultural heritage and people’s art stewardship and an integral link to nature and the environment.