About

I am a museum professional with a background in collections management and archaeology.  I love using exhibits and interpretation to connect people to museum objects.

My curatorial philosophy:

The responsibilities of the curator go beyond conservation and care of objects.  Curators should use objects to tell stories that engage and educate the public.  Artists and makers communicate messages through the objects they create; curators communicate information to museum visitors through interpretation.  By collaborating with artists, descendent communities, and local populations, curators can gain an increased understanding of objects and share this understanding with the public.

Museums hold objects in their collection as a service to the public.  Objects in museum collections must be preserved in perpetuity for future generations to gain understanding of people who experienced different environments, different times, and lived altogether different lives.  Proper handling techniques, environmental controls, and preventative conservation are important strategies curators must use to ensure object preservation for current and future museum visitors. 

Curators must also treat sensitive objects with respect and listen to input from descendant populations when it comes to collections storage.  Objects may require restricted access or alternative methods of storage to respect and honor the wishes of descendant populations.  These wishes may not be readily apparent to the curator without collaboration.  My participation in collections reviews has showed me how much relevant information can be gained from partnership with artists and Native communities.  Working together to learn about objects and care for them in a correct and respectful way is a necessary part of curating collections.

Exhibits are a way for curators to bring object and stories to their communities.  Curators need to do more than just display objects; the objects are important because of the people who made and used them.  Interpretation should serve as a bridge between the people who made the objects and the visitors experiencing the exhibit.  Exhibits can enhance cross-cultural understanding and provide a new perspective and appreciation to visitors from all backgrounds.