Nick Appelbaum is the president of Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA), a multidisciplinary firm specialising in the planning and designing of museums, exhibits, educational environments and visitor attractions. RAA is recognised for creating compelling experiences that blend architecture, storytelling, and technology. It has designed numerous high-profile museums, visitor centres, and cultural institutions worldwide.
As president, Appelbaum continues the firm’s legacy, established by his father, Ralph Appelbaum, who founded the company in 1978. Under his leadership, RAA focuses on creating meaningful, educational, and engaging experiences for the public, often working on projects involving history, science, culture, and the arts.
The firm’s projects have included institutions like the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the American Museum of Natural History, and many others. Appelbaum’s role involves overseeing the creative and strategic direction of the firm, ensuring the quality and impact of its designs, and fostering innovation within the team.
At the NEXTIN Summit in Madrid in 2024, he spoke about the importance of story and its position at the heart of successful museums: “Narrative museums provide a special type of learning,” he said, adding: “There’s a beautiful alchemy that public spaces foster, which gives them a unique currency in society…The most powerful tool we have to dazzle and inspire is narrative design.”
One nominator said: “Nick grew up inside the practice and later, just after university, joined it; he is now the president and is guiding it into the middle decades of the 21st Century with curiosity, passion, and creativity.
“Nick understands both the mechanics and philosophical intent of cultural projects and has a special interest in pioneering new approaches to learning in public. He is a thoughtful and considerate leader who supports the growth and development of the entire global interdisciplinary team.”