Public Programming Portfolio
This is a small compilation of the programming I have been working on within the past few years as I have been working within museum spaces, and is an attempt to highlight some of the exciting projects I have had the privilege of working on with amazing artists and community partners.
Community Openings
I manage the development and execution of MOCAD’s seasonal opening events, celebrating each new exhibition. This involves organizing artist talks, live performances, and overseeing contract workers. Coordinating large events with multiple staff and stakeholders requires careful planning and communication to ensure everything runs smoothly. My goal is to bring excitement to the exhibitions while creating a welcoming, community focused atmosphere for all attendees. By working closely with artists, curators, and the event team, I aim to create meaningful experiences for everyone involved.
Sonic Futures: MOCAD x Underground Music Academy
MOCAD, in collaboration with the Underground Music Academy, presents a two-part sound series that explores the intersection of visual art and sound. The series invites participants to discover the fundamentals of electronic music and the creation of immersive soundscapes, all inspired by the exhibitions on display.
Through a balance of hands-on instruction and creative exploration, the sessions offer an open space for both experienced musicians and newcomers to engage with sound as a vital form of artistic expression, blending contemporary artist talks with the shared experience of music and art.
Family and Community Days
I contributed to the development and execution of MOCAD’s Family Days and Youth Programs, where I helped translate the larger themes of our current exhibitions into engaging, hands-on workshops and artist-led activities. These programs were designed to make the work of our featured artists accessible and approachable to a diverse audience, spanning various ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience. Participants had the opportunity to create their own work alongside the artists, and they were able to take home the pieces they made, fostering a deeper connection with the art and an enriching experience for all involved.
Teen Programs
I have been involved in developing teen programs for youth across Detroit, most notably through MOCAD’s Teen Council. I facilitated and supported the Teen Council in creating the largest Teen Art Exhibition in the history of the program, held across the museum. This allowed teens to collaborate with MOCAD’s exhibition and curatorial teams, gaining hands-on experience in the curation process.
In addition, I organized trips for teens to visit artists and arts professionals across the city, providing them with valuable insights into the intricacies of exhibition curation. The culmination of this work was an exhibition showcasing over 70 teen artists from Southeast Michigan. All of the artwork was selected and installed by the teens themselves, and the exhibition was celebrated with a large opening event.
Alongside the exhibition, we visited artists’ studios across the city to help inform the teens’ personal artistic practices and hosted artists to teach the teens more intricate parts of their practices view fiber works, drawing and sculpture. We also collaborated with other teen councils, including InsideOut’s performance troupe, to host poetry nights alongside our ongoing exhibitions.