Well-rounded Maryland/D.C. area graduate with curatorial & collections experience

[jlskiba]

Headline: Well-rounded Maryland/D.C. area graduate with curatorial & collections experience
Name: Jennifer Skiba
Email Address: jskiba1121@gmail.com
Current Location: Baltimore, MD, USA

Preferred Job Category: Registrar/Collections Manager

Personal Statement:
I am a recent graduate in the Maryland/Washington D.C. area seeking a collections-related position in an art or historical institution.

I have experience with both the curatorial and registration aspects of managing a collection. I also have experience in exhibit development and educational programming if the position requires it.

I am versatile, organized, and a problem-solver that enjoys challenges.

Education:
Master of Arts, Museum Studies
Indiana University
Indianapolis, IN
December 2011


Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA
August 2005

Professional Experience:
MUSEUM-RELATED EXPERIENCE

Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program
National Council for Preservation Education Intern
July-December 2011

Researched archaeological permits for excavations on military lands that may have collected Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act-applicable cultural materials and human remains
Organized and implemented research design for DoD’s NAGPRA collections project
Composed project manual and associated documents for future DoD researchers and interns, and an evaluation of the project as it pertained to DoD’s mission


Baltimore Museum of Art
Textiles Department Curatorial Intern
June-September 2011

Collaborated in fiber identification and research on Central Asian textiles for the "Embroidered Treasures: Textiles from Central Asia" exhibition with Conservation department
Collected fiber samples and created slides for identification of fibers
Entered 2011 Silk Review data into TMS database, revised object records, and correlated object photos with records into a reference binder for Textile Department
Assisted with rehousing, installation and de-installation of lace objects for International Old Lacers Conference temporary show
Pulled textiles from the vault, handled and rehoused textiles as needed by curatorial staff


Indianapolis Museum of Art
Miller House Registration Intern
January-May 2011

Completed inventory and condition reports of newly acquired Miller House textiles
Assigned temporary receipt numbers to uncatalogued textiles to be uploaded to EMu database
Took conservation photographs of objects and textiles
Vacuumed and rehoused textiles
Collaborated with IMA Library Staff on inventory of Miller House book collection


Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Collections Intern
Summer 2010

Collaborated with curator to create design layout and install Presidential Trains display at the Indianapolis International Airport
Evaluated existing Women’s Suffrage exhibit and rotated artifacts; co-curated major display cases for Women’s Suffrage exhibit
Developed an end-user exhibit survey to collect data on how to better enhance the visitor's experience
Catalogued artifacts in FileMakerPro and Harrison collection log book
Photographed and scanned images for the collection’s database


IUPUI Museum Studies Department
Graduate Research Assistant
October 2009-April 2010

Researched image rights for academic publication
Completed research on 2010 museum studies benchmark study and provided data to the department
Catalogued and scanned photographs, lithographs, and slide images for future publication


Gwinnett History Museum, Lawrenceville, GA
Recreation Leader
May 2008-July 2009

Catalogued, installed, and wrote interpretive panels for "Firefighting in Gwinnett" exhibit
Completed 2008 inventory of museum collection and rectified object record discrepancies
Trained program volunteers and supervised facility attendants during special events
Developed and implemented annual educational programs
Projected program budgets and tracked program expenses
Lead interpretive tours for visitor groups
Managed database with customer information, purchase orders, program registrations and facility rentals
Designed and distributed program marketing materials to area schools and businesses


APPLIED MUSEUM RESEARCH

Developed content, design concept, and wrote label text for "Speaking With Spirits: Spiritualism in 19th Century America" exhibit for the Morris-Butler House
Wrote articles for and researched Indiana State House sculpture for Wikipedia Saves Public Art Project
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln_(Jones)
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_(DeLue)
Developed a project proposal for a web-based interactive platform to be used at the Indianapolis Museum of Art's Virginia B. Fairbanks 100 Acres Art and Nature Park
Conceptualized a Museum Minute Cart program, "Cave Dwellers", for the Indiana State Museum
Drafted and administered an evaluation instrument for The Children's Museum of Indianapolis' Community Arts Initiative pilot program


OTHER RELATED EXPERIENCE

Indiana University-Purdue University Library
Graduate Circulation Supervisor
August 2010-May 2011

Supervised undergraduate student workers
Assisted patrons with requests for information about materials, library use and using the IU catalog and SIRSI Workflows database
Processed request delivery items, recalls, interlibrary loans, faculty reserves, and holds in the SIRSI Workflows database
Handled monetary and billing transactions


Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Lead Bookseller, Children’s Department
Alpharetta, GA January 2006-July 2009
Indianapolis, IN Aug 2009-Aug 2010

Provided customer service to patrons and processed merchandise orders
Regulated monthly inventory and organized merchandise to fit company guidelines
Facilitated Children’s Department Story-times and Literacy Awareness programs

Applicable Skills:
TMS
PastPerfect
Microsoft Office Suite

Other:
American Association of Museums
AAM Registrar's Committee
Indiana Museum People (NING)
AAM Emerging Museum Professionals