For more than two decades, Joel Bartsch has guided the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) as president and CEO. He oversees a dedicated team of staff and curators in conceiving of unique and immersive exhibits, alongside educational programming. Joel A. Bartsch promotes volunteer activities and engages with members, patrons, donors, and the local community on diverse philanthropic initiatives.
Joining the institution in 2004, Mr. Bartsch spearheaded facility renovations and worked to elevate customer service, while envisioning dynamic exhibits that attracted new visitors. His efforts brought HMNS back onto a sound financial footing, with membership increasing and significantly boosting funds available for ambitious capital expansion projects. In 2012 the museum added 200,000 square feet to its physical footprint, and in 2017 HMNS introduced an interactive education center focused on the energy sciences.
Mr. Bartsch continues to inform the creation of public offerings on the leading edge of education and science. One popular exhibit resurrected in 2025, “Death by Natural Causes,” explores various elements of the natural world, from grizzly bears to deadly minerals and poisonous plants, with the potential to endanger human life. Joel A. Bartsch has an extensive knowledge of minerals and gems, and wrote the catalog “Masterpieces of the Mineral World” for the museum’s “Kremlin Gold” exhibit.