Cornell University Senior with Museum Communications Experience

[abrosenwald]

Headline: Cornell University Senior with Museum Communications Experience
Name: Alana Blake Rosenwald
Email Address: abr66@cornell.edu
Current Location: Wynnewood, PA, USA

Preferred Job Category: Marketing/Public Relations

Personal Statement:
I want to work in a museum in communications, public relations or development, and have tailored my work experience accordingly.

Education:
Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences, Ithaca, New York:
• Bachelor of Arts expected May 2011, Art History Major, 3.66 cumulative GPA, Deans List 3 semesters

Professional Experience:
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia PA Summer 2010 Communications Intern
• Assisted with staffing for press previews and exhibition openings. Monitored media tapings, tours and interviews with museum staff for special exhibitions, events, and the permanent collection. Created press kits
• Contributed to museum outreach efforts. Planned and executed a promotional effort for a major special exhibition targeting local colleges and universities. Researched contacts. Developed an individualized pitch for each institution. Distributed exhibition materials. Facilitated group sales for students. Fostered lasting relationships with contacts and promoted ongoing museum programming
• Researched uses of social media for development. Proposed possible uses to museum staff
• Drafted press releases and media advisories. Promptly learned how to code releases for the online pressroom
• Contacted organizations and individuals in order to update department contact lists
• Categorized, organized and archived press clippings from 2006-2010
• Participated in the museum studies internship course twice a week, learning about all museum affairs

Smithsonian Institution: The National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC Fall 2009 External Affairs Intern
• Helped prepare for and staff press events, press previews and exhibition openings. Created press kits, generated and managed attendance lists, and conducted appropriate development research
• Managed event postings online on multiple websites, as well as releases on the Portrait Gallery’s press page
• Wrote press releases, media advisories, and information sheets for exhibitions and events
• Compiled information for and drafted monthly museum calendars. Chose photographs to accompany text
• Handled media inquiries and monitored media tapings in museum exhibitions
• Quickly learned The Museum System (TMS) collection management database and utilized it in daily tasks

Cornell University Costume Collection, Ithaca NY Jan. 2009 – Present Collection Management Assistant
• Assistant for cataloging, storage, packing and inventory of clothing and textiles
• Quickly learned how to generally identify textiles and apparel, and how to use the collection computer system
Philadelphia University: The Design Center, Philadelphia PA Summer 2009 Intern
• Assistant for textile and apparel collections management, exhibition instillation and museum communications

Office of State Representative Mike Gerber, Conshohocken PA Summer 2008 Legislative Intern
• Researched service programs, conducted interviews and created a draft proposal for State service legislation
• Located new district residents, put information into Excel, performed a mail merge for letters, and compiled relevant literature on local living for new resident welcome packets.
• Assisted with preparations and staffing for bill signings, constituent service fairs and a Veterans luncheon
• Researched constituent questions and acted as a liaison among parties via oral and written communications
• Timely learned intricate state computer systems specific to executing office tasks and constituent services

Applicable Skills:
Language: Basic French language
Computing: Skilled on Macs and PCs in MS Office Suite, Photoshop, Filemaker Pro, MS Access, TMS, Cision

Other:
The Corcoran Gallery (fall 2009): Volunteer at special events including book signings, salons and performances
Shadows Dance Troupe (fall 2007 – present): Member and Choreographer. Public Relations Officer (Fall 2010)
Alpha Phi Fraternity (spring 2008 – present): Ivy Man Charity Event Committee, tickets and promotion (Fall 2008). Director of Campus Events (Spring 2009). Marketing Committee Member (2009)
Interests: Photography. Metal Working. Recreational Pre-Professional Dance. Recreational Swimming