Throughout my career, I have proven my skill at managing multiple simultaneous projects successfully. I have overseen creation and distribution of press materials, organized press and member events, helped implement capital campaigns, built and maintained databases, and managed hundred of other projects -- both creative and administrative.
Below is a summary of my responsibilities in the creation of a traveling museum exhibit for children -- to show the breadth and depth of my abilities.
Overview of Responsibilities as Project Manager for Joshua’s Journey
Joshua’s Journey was a 1,200 square-foot history exhibit targeted for children ages 6-11 years. Based on the Scholastic book The Journal of Joshua Loper, the bilingual exhibit focused on a small slice of American history known as the trail drive era, introducing guests to life on the Chisholm Trail through the eyes of Joshua Loper, a 16-year-old black cowboy. Joshua’s Journey was the first children’s museum exhibit to include authentic Western artifacts. The exhibit toured to museums in North America, 2004 to 2010.
I was Project Manager for this exhibition, overseeing its development and fabrication. Under my supervision, the exhibition was completed on time and under its budget of $300,000.
Following is a partial listing of my varied creative, research, and administrative duties on this exhibition:
Creative:
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Designed exhibition logo.
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Designed all graphics in exhibition; oversaw their fabrication and installation.
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Helped design and fabricate exhibition cases, activities, and other elements.
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Worked with artist to create original art for exhibition.
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Photographed each artifact in exhibit (70+).
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Wrote all press releases for exhibition.
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Oversaw promotional photo shoots.
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Wrote scripts for two videos in exhibit; oversaw their production and editing by outside vendors.
Research:
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Worked with curators at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, and Cattle Raiser’s Museum to select and secure artifacts and photographs.
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Worked with History Curator and Museum Archivist to research informational exhibit labels.
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Worked with Education Staff to create age-appropriate labels, videos, and activities.
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Researched and secured photo rights from copyright holders.
Administrative:
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Created budget for exhibit and tracked all expenses.
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Created timeline for all facets of the exhibit, including exhibit research and development, prototyping, fabrication, marketing, and travel. Updated and adjusted timeline accordingly as exhibit proceeded.
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Secured video rights for two videos in exhibit.
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Worked with translator to translate all label copy into Spanish.
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Led weekly meetings of exhibition team, which included representatives from multiple museum departments, to evaluate status of all elements.
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Worked with officials at Canadian Museum of Civilization to display exhibit in Canada. This included completing extensive Customs forms; translating all graphics, videos, and audio to French; re-fabricating all text panels in English and French; and traveling to Canada to oversee exhibit installation.
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Created manual for exhibition which included all label and video text, ideas and background information for educational programs related to the, installation and strike instructions, packing lists for crates, and packing diagram to show how to transport exhibit in semi-tractor trailer.
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Created three-year travel schedule for exhibition.