I served as the ASMSU (Associated Students of Montana State University) Arts & Exhibits Director for four years. During this time I directed and curated the a small campus gallery located in the main hub of the university. This involved curating approximately 14 exhibitions per year (7 two-week exhibitions per semester) as well as additional special events such as artist lectures and workshops. I hired and supervised 4-5 student employees that worked in the gallery and assisted with promotional and administrative tasks. As Director I was responsible for managing a limited committee budget and was required to present program and budget reports regularly to the ASMSU Senate and Administration. It was also very important for me to manage deadlines and maintain professional communication with artists.
The most time consuming aspects of the position were coordinating exhibitions and receptions and directing all marketing and promotion for events and a Call for Entries each semester. Marketing included press releases, community and campus calendars and publications, presentations, mass emails, advertising, web and social media. I regularly worked with a graphic designer to create posters and did some design work on my own, including a ‘gallery key’ brochure for exhibitions, ‘Call for Entries’ posters and a bi-weekly newsletter. We worked constantly to improve Arts and Exhibits outreach across campus and the community.
In my final year as ASMSU Arts and Exhibits Director I achieved approval for an extensive gallery renovation, the first since its creation thirty years ago. I worked with building administration, ASMSU administration, art professionals and architects to develop a project proposal for the gallery, also performing my own research on lighting and gallery design. I created a petition that was signed by students and faculty in support of the renovation and finally presented to the ASMSU Finance Board and ASMSU Senate, achieving a long deserved face lift for the Exit Gallery.
Each year I took a lead role in the coordination and execution of a large student art show and sale. Working with faculty, staff and students, I led volunteer recruitment and scheduling, delegation, contracting catering and entertainment, planning displays, coordinating lectures or workshops and developing promotion. Marketing materials included press releases, posters, postcards, presentations and digital media.
Exit Gallery Artist Share Presentation – Montana Art Gallery Director’s Assoc 2011
Press Release – Exit Gallery Call for Entries Spring 2012
Press Release – Upheaval: A Revolution of the Arts
ASMSU Arts & Exhibits Newsletter – Sept 2011
NOTE: Most of the poster designs you see here were created by contracted graphic designers working with ASMSU, specifically Mary Meccage and Levi Boughn. I worked with them on content and direction. Some of the design work is my own, but I wanted to include these others to demonstrate the various programs.
Upheaval: A Revolution of the Arts, Student Art Show and Sale
