FMoPA begins next chapter with new executive director

For new Florida Museum of Photographic Arts Executive Director Clara ten Berge, museums have always felt like home. Long before she joined the Ybor City-based museum, she began her career in the Netherlands, where she studied at the Amsterdam University of the Arts’ Reinwardt Academy and worked at several museums in Amsterdam. The work combined her passions for preserving history, telling stories, and creating meaningful visitor experiences. That foundation eventually took her on an unexpected journey across the Atlantic Ocean and into Tampa Bay’s arts community.

Finding a place in Tampa’s arts scene

In 2022, ten Berge’s partner accepted a curator position at the Tampa Museum of Art, and they moved to Tampa. At the time, ten Berge faced a challenge familiar to many newcomers: she could not yet legally work in the United States. So she immersed herself in volunteer work. 

She got involved with the Saint Petersburg Month of Photography from its beginning, serving as volunteer creative director. She also volunteered at the FMoPA in Ybor City. Starting at the front desk and later assisting with grants and development, she learned the museum’s mission and daily operations. By the time she received work authorization in 2025, joining the FMoPA staff felt like a natural next step. She was hired as director of operations.

The time that followed tested the museum and its future leader. FMoPA has continued navigating the lingering effects of the pandemic, shifting grant opportunities, and the significant transition to its Ybor City location.

Ten Berge also faced personal uncertainty when visa complications forced her to step away from the organization for four months. The experience reinforced her appreciation for the people around her.

“The patience and support shown by the staff and board during that difficult time were something I will never forget,” she recalls.

With the visa issue resolved, she returned to FMoPA at the end of April. Shortly afterward, the FMoPA Board of Directors approved her promotion to executive director.

“The trust placed in me has truly been life-changing,” she says.

Community focus

At FMoPA, ten Berge leads a museum that welcomes between 9,000 and 10,000 visitors annually. She says the job is an honor and a challenge.

“I feel incredibly lucky to work alongside passionate staff, dedicated volunteers, talented interns, and a board that truly believes in this mission,” she says.

Her immediate priorities include strengthening operations, increasing financial sustainability, growing membership, and expanding visitor engagement. Beyond numbers, she sees FMoPA as a place where people connect through creativity and shared experiences.

For her, museums are not simply places to view art. They are community spaces where people can learn, reflect, and engage with ideas that broaden their understanding of the world.

Vision for the future

Looking ahead, ten Berge hopes to revive outreach programs serving under-resourced children and seniors, expand educational offerings, and grow exhibition opportunities. She also wants FMoPA to become a recognized space that supports mental health and well-being.

“Research is increasingly confirming what many of us have long felt: being in a museum is genuinely good for you,” she says. “You don’t have to buy anything, you don’t have to perform, you can simply be a human being. Whether you want to connect deeply with a piece of art, strike up a conversation with a friend or a stranger, or just find a quiet moment of stillness, there’s room for all of that here,” she explains. 

Accessibility remains central to that vision. 

“We work hard to make sure FMoPA is truly accessible through programs like the Library Pass, Museums for All (free admission for those on SNAP/EBT), discounts for students and seniors and military, and free community days we’re actively developing,” she says. “For those who are able to contribute financially, your support makes all of that possible.”

Why photography still matters

At a time when nearly everyone carries a camera, ten Berge believes photography remains one of the most powerful storytelling tools available.

“There’s a difference between taking a photo and truly telling a story or creating a work of art, and that’s exactly what we celebrate here,” she says. “Photography connects us to history, to cultural heritage, and to each other’s perspectives in a unique way.”

Ten Berge’s journey from volunteer to executive director shows the power of community involvement. She hopes more residents and visitors will discover what she considers one of Tampa’s hidden gems. Whether attending an exhibition, taking a photography class, volunteering, becoming a member, or supporting the museum financially, she believes every contribution helps strengthen FMoPA’s future.

To learn more about FMoPA, go here.