Beej has served on numerous public art and museum assessment panels, art juries, and advisory boards. She has commissioned and worked with many internationally recognized artists and has lectured and written frequently on the process of building a contemporary sculpture collection.

Artists Beej has worked with include:
Vito Acconci, Tom Ashcraft, Terry Allen, Bill Barrett, Harriet Bart, Jose Bedia, Chakaia Booker, Niki de Saint Phalle, Patrick Dougherty, Jackie Ferrara, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Richard Fleischner, Andy Goldsworthy, Ron Gonzalez, Dan Graham, Jene Highstein, Richard Hunt, Bob Lobe, Debra Masuoka, Cildo Meireles, Mary Miss, David Nash, Manuel Neri, Judy Onofrio and Beverly Pepper, Alison Saar, Joyce Scott, Judith Shea, Valeska Soares, Robert Stackhouse and Ursula Von Rydingsvard.

She also produced private press books and wrote exhibition catalogues on contemporary sculpture, contemporary Brazilian folk art and art curriculum.

In her role as museum director, Beej created signature public art events such as "Fire and Ice" celebrating the winter solstice, Day of the Dead, and a Brazilian-African folk art celebration as well as international folk markets. She has organized musical festivals, contemporary art fairs, children's events and summer camps, and fund-raising galas.

Beej Nierengarten-Smith holds a BA from the University of Minnesota in art history and design, a MA from the University of Minnesota in art history and museum sciences, and an Ed. D. from Southern Illinois University in instructional theory and curriculum design with a minor in aesthetics.