Motivated Curator and Educator Looking for New Opportunities

[Alison_Costanzo]

Headline: Motivated Curator and Educator Looking for New Opportunities
Name: Alison Costanzo
Email Address: alisoncostanzo84@hotmail.com
Current Location: Lisle, Illinois, United States

Preferred Job Category: Curator

Personal Statement:
I am an outgoing, motivated, dependable Curator and Educator looking for a position which will allow me to fully utilize my abilities and experiences in for-profits and non-profits.

Education:
Aug. 2007- May 2008 Northern Illinois University De Kalb, IL
Certificate of Graduate Study in Museum Studies:
15 Semester hour Certificate Program:

The Certificate includes core courses, a guided internship, and an additional 9 hours in approved electives.

•ART 465. Introduction to Museum Studies (3)
•ANTH 462. Museum Methods (3)
•WOMS 510. Topics in Woman Studies: How Class, Race, and gender influence Museums’ (3)
•ART 557. Museum Education (3)
•ARTE 583. Art, Environment and Culture (3)
•ART 665. Museum Internship (3)

Jan. 2008- May 2008 Ellwood House Museum De Kalb, IL
Museum Studies Internship : 120 hours

Ellwood House Museum is a grand Victorian mansion located in De Kalb
Illinois. Built by barbed wire millionaire Isaac L. Ellwood in 1879, the mansion remains with its original furnishings just as when the Ellwood family lived there decades ago.
•Docent
•Developed educational programs for school age children and adults
•Cataloged items from the permanent collection
•Researched and assisted in the development of the Exhibit: On the Road with the Ellwood’s
•Prepared instillation space and assisted in installing exhibits

May 2007 Northern Illinois University De Kalb, IL
Bachelors of Arts: Degree in Art History

•Concentration: Ancient Art, Renaissance, South East Asia, and 19th Century.

May 2004 Lincoln College Lincoln, IL
Associates in Arts: Degree in Liberal Arts

Professional Experience:
June 2008- January 2009 Center For History Wheaton, IL
Museum Curator and Educator

•Managed collections, collections paperwork, collections database, incoming acquisitions, incoming and outgoing loans
•Maintained detailed records, correspondence, and files
•Researched collection for programs, researchers and the public
•Developed collections policy
•Managed museums webpage
•Planned and developed presentations, programs and events
•Assisted in the development and installation of the Exhibit: Answering the Call: Americas Military
•Developed and marketed educational programs for Girl Scout troupes, school age children, and adults
•Coordinated volunteers to assist in educational programs
•Docent

May 2006- June 2008 Northern Illinois University De Kalb, IL
Founders Memorial Library
Library Assistant for Information Delivery Services (Book Lending)

•Performed general office duties
•Searched library catalog for periodicals, microfilm and books for interlibrary loan requests
•Photocopied, scanned and faxed documents
•Mailed and routed documents to other libraries
•Assisted patrons in the location and use of library materials

August 2004-May 2007 Northern Illinois University De Kalb, IL
NIU Art Museum
Museum Assistant

•Docent
•Greeted visitors
•Informed visitors about bus trips, current and upcoming exhibitions
•Assisted with exhibitions
•Installed and de-installed multiple exhibitions

May 2003-Dec 2005 Tox-Pressotechnik Warrenville, IL
Office Assistant/Receptionist

•Provided clerical and administrative assistance
•Greeted customers, answered multi-lined telephone system
•Responded to emails and fax inquires about products
•Maintained records and files
•Designed forms to expedite certain work tasks
•Directed incoming and outgoing mail

November 1999-Augest 2002 Lisle Library Lisle, IL
Circulation Page

•Assisted patrons in the location and use of library materials and equipment
•Monitored condition of circulating materials as needed
•Shelved materials as needed or required.
•Empted book drops as needed or required

Applicable Skills:
I am a dependable professional skilled in aspects of office management within for-profit and non-profit environments. I am patient, flexible, energetic and personable. I have great organizational skills and I am very detail oriented. I am able to manage multiple projects and complete jobs in a timely manner. I have excellent research, writing and oral skills. I also work well within a team or on my own. I have strong computer and research skills. I am well-versed in Past Perfect and I have some experience using CLEO and OCLC. I am also proficient in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher and beginning Access.