Museum professional with varied experience looking to dive in!

[Pam.Schwartz]

Headline: Museum professional with varied experience looking to dive in!
Name: Pamela Schwartz
Email Address: pam-schwartz@hotmail.com
Current Location: Maquoketa,IA U.S.A.

Preferred Job Category: Exhibits

Personal Statement:
I am a museum professional who realizes the importance of museums and has been working in them to some degree for seven years. I am looking for a position in exhibits, be it in designing, researching or building them. I will approach any position with resolute dedication and purpose and am looking for my chance to give a position my all.

Education:
Bachelor of the Arts in Communication Studies
Concentration: Public Relations
December 2008
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
GPA: 3.32/4.00
Additional course work in Museum Studies, Art History and Anthropology

Professional Experience:
Docent and Preservationist March 2009-Nov. 2009
Cedar Rock: Frank Lloyd Wright signature house, Independence, Iowa
• Preservation of the home and maintenance of the grounds.
• Material care and preservation.
• Guiding tours of the home and estate.
• Exhibit and tour research, layout, and design.
• Gift shop and retail sales handling.

Museums and Collections Program Assistant Aug. 2008-March 2009 UNI Museums, Cedar Falls, Iowa
• Collaborated with and supported Museum staff.
• Designed, wrote and produced exhibit materials and signage.
• Installed and struck exhibits, artifact handling.
• Maintained exhibitions and collections.
• Researched, planned, collected artifacts, and built exhibitions.
• Designed programs, posters and publicity materials.
• Created database for record organization and upkeep.
• Implemented technology planning; blog, podcast, Facebook and MySpace sites.

Visitor Research and Interpretation Intern June 2008-July 2008
The British Museum, London, United Kingdom
• Created visitor tracking sheets and exit questionnaires, then administered surveys to 100 visitors.
• Synthesized data into an analysis aimed at exhibition and gallery improvements at the British Museum as well as future venues.
• Presented research to the British Museum interpretation board and curators of the American Scene exhibition.

Public Programming Assistant Aug. 2007-May 2008
UNI Museums, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit: Earth from Space
• Designed publicity campaign and created and coordinated 23 programs for different age groups in connection with exhibit.
• Scheduled guest lectures, completing all details from confirmation, promotion, set-up and take-down.
• Coordinated video showings and children’s activities.
• Assisted with design, set-up, and installation of exhibit area.
• Created signage for exhibit and area displays.

Curatorial Assistant and Photograph Technician
Dec.2002-Aug. 2005 Jackson County Historical Society, Maquoketa, Ia
• Developed a researchable probate database of 5,000+ files.
• Excavated the abandoned, historical Clinton Engines Site.
• Researched and designed exhibits.
• Aided in the development and completion of photograph database.
• Videotaped and provided technological support for educational programming.
• Charged with open/close of museum and tours.

Commissioned Artist
2002, 2004 Maquoketa School District, Maquoketa, Iowa
Designed and produced a permanent mural for the school board meeting room. Researched historic photos for mural design.

Ohnward Fine Arts Center, Maquoketa, Iowa
Designed and produced a permanent wooden mural for the Drew Art Gallery.

Additional Experience
April 2007 – April 2009
Staff Trainer/Server
HuHot Mongolian Grill, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Sept. 2006 – April 2007
Student Supervisor Assistant
Fresh Beginnings Bakery, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Aug. 2005 – May 2006
Library Serials and Administrative
Drake University Cowles Library, Des Moines, Iowa

July 2000-July 2007
Area Manager
Team Corn Detasseling, Maquoketa, Iowa
• Trained and supervised crews and squad leaders.
• Administered employee payroll and other completed other administrative duties.

Aug. 2003-March 2004
Coordinator/Supervisor
Community Connections After-school Program
Maquoketa, Iowa
• Supervised 40-50 2nd-5th grade students.
• Coordinated field trips and activities.

Iowa Museum Association Conference (October 2009)
Workshops:
How Ready Are Your Grant Seeking Skills?
Advocacy and Programming Partnerships
Taking Your Museum Outside the Box
Museums “To Go” Creating Great Traveling Trunks
Real Ways for Relevant Marketing
Bringing Collections to Life

The British Museum (July 2008)
Workshop: In The Past We Would Have Just Been Invisible
-On making museums accessible to the disabled

Applicable Skills:
Adobe PhotoShop, InDesign, and Illustrator
MicroSoft Office Software, and PowerPoint