SETI AIR Newsletter - November 2025

This month, we are continuing our profile series featuring our exceptional SETI AIR program Advisors.

Meet Dorka Keehn, who has been part of the AIR program’s DNA for many years. Dorka is an accomplished artist and culture powerhouse who is responsible for bringing major public art projects to life in California, particularly in the Bay Area. We are privileged to count her among our group of talented artists, curators, and science advisors.

As always, make sure to catch up on our SETI AIR’s news and events.

Clear skies,
Bettina

An award winning artist and filmmaker, Dorka Keehn is the Principal of Keehn On Art, an art advisory that specializes in public art. She has been named top US art consultant by CODAworx in the book The Power of Public Art. In 2024, Dorka was appointed to the California Arts Council, where she champions the vital role played by arts and culture throughout the state. In 2011, she was appointed to the San Francisco Arts Commission where she chairs the Visual Arts Committee that commissions all artwork pertaining to the city’s Public Art Program. Additionally, she is the co-founder of Sites Unseen, a project that brings arts programming to neglected alleys in downtown San Francisco. Dorka also led the fundraising effort for The Bay Lights, the $12M 25,000 LED light installation by artist Leo Villareal for the Bay Bridge.

At the SETI Institute, Dorka serves on the SETI AIR program’s Board of Advisors. Her deep cultural insights have been invaluable in shaping the program for many years. Most recently, Dorka has joined fellow SETI AIR Advisor Danielle Siembieda to lead the Advisory team for the SETI AIR program’s new Planetary Futures residency, which connects public art with climate change research and planetary science. Stay tuned - the recipient of the residency will be announced soon! 

Find out more about Keehn on Art: keehnonart.com