Robert Kiley (American,1924-1996) spent his formative years as a painter in New York City where he had his first one-man show in 1950. During his career, he exhibited his paintings, prints, drawings, and photography in New York, throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and The People's Republic of China.

As a teacher, Kiley taught art foundations, drawing, photography, and painting at institutions such as Wesleyan University, the University of Connecticut, Central Michigan University, Ohio State University, and the University of Montana.

From 1971 to 1979, Kiley worked in arts administration as a department chairman at Central Michigan University and as dean of the School of Fine Arts at The University of Montana. In 1978 he served as Chairman of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans. He continued to do consulting work with both Ohto State University and the University of Wyoming. After retiring as professor emeritus in 1989, he continued to pursue his career as an artist and writer in Boca Raton, Florida.

Kiley held both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan where he majored in painting. He also attended the Cleveland Institute of Art and the University of New Mexico.