CURRICULUM VITAE

 JOHN STEVEN WELCH     

EDUCATION:

Ph.D.  Princeton University, (Art History). Dissertation: “Aristocratizing the Community: Roger Fenton and British Photography in the 1850s” 

Getty MLI: Museum Leadership Institute

(Formerly MMI: Museum Management Institute)

Class of 2002 

M.A. Princeton University, (Art History) Areas of concentration: Modern European Art, American Art, History of Photography 

B.A. Columbia University (GS), Major (Art History) 

A.A.S. State University of New York (F.I.T.), Major, (Advertising & Communications) 

H.S. Diploma. St. Anthony’s High School, (merged w/ Archbishop Carroll High School 1989) Washington, D.C. 

SS. Paul & Augustine, Grade School (now St. Augustine Grade School), Washington, D.C. 

SUMMARY 

Novelist. Art historian, museum administrator, arts educator, writer, editor with strong academic background in art history and extensive experience (15+ years) working with curators in art museum context. Excellent knowledge of art, history and visual culture. Strong research and public speaking ability. Extensive experience developing interpretive programming; community outreach; museum volunteers and partnerships; strategic planning and audience engagement. 

CREATIVE WRITING/NOVEL(S) 

The One Who’s Gonna See You Through. Gatekeeper Press, 2023. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Hampton University Museum
Hampton University
Hampton, VA  

07/2012 – 01/2019
Guest Curator/Consultant/Associate Editor/Contributing Writer

International Review of African American Art (IRAAA)

International Review of African American Art Plus (IRAAA+)

Member, Advisory Board for IRAAA Journal 

Author articles, artist interviews, short entries, and other items for readers interested in African American art, history and culture. Excellent research, writing and editing ability required. Extensive knowledge of art, art history, research, curatorial practice, museum best practices required to author published work and communicate effectively with artists, authors, public and institutional stakeholders.

Guest Curator – Conceived and organized special exhibition at Hampton University Museum – Ain’t I America: Selections from the Petrucci Collection of African American Art – January 25 – May 13, 2019 

Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of African American History and Culture
Washington, DC    

02/2016 – 6/30/2018
Strategic Communications Coordinator (Consultant-Contractor)

Office of Strategic Partnerships

Research, writing, editing and other projects as required assisting work of museum’s unit focused on partnerships, collaborations, and alliances with HBCUs, black museums, and university museums throughout the nation. Primary responsibilities include:

–Communications planning and strategic planning

–Strong knowledge of African American art, history, and culture

–Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

–Excellent research and writing skills

Assistant Editor/Coordinator with OSP Associate Director (Dr. Deborah Mack) on special issue of The Public Historian (August 2018); substantive review and editing of articles by museum professionals and scholars; ongoing communications with historian-authors; liaise with managing editors. Author/contributor of article to this volume on 150 years of arts engagement at Hampton University.

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, New York, N.Y.            2005 – 2012

Managing Museum Educator School & Teacher Programs (2011 – 2012)

Conceived and implemented five-year strategic plan to re-envision Museum’s high school internship program from art-centered eligibility criteria to broader professional development focus enabling students from Title 1 schools and diverse backgrounds eligibility for program participation. Extensive coordination and management of internal and external stakeholders.

• Responsible for all administrative and managerial oversight of School, Teacher and High School Internship Programs.
• Management of budget, professional staff and customized programming.
• Supervises principal educator for School Programs (200,000+ visitors per year).
• Principal liaison with New York City Department of Education on development of content for customized programming or political and strategic initiatives.
• Conceived and developed new strategic focus for High School Internship Program to broaden admission of non-traditional students.
• Department point person for Museum-wide outreach and program initiatives in conjunction with Multicultural Audience Development Initiative (transitioning).
• Member senior education management team.
• Teaching and content development across museum audiences.
• Oversight of Development donor reports for unit.

Museum Educator in Charge of Youth Programs           (2005 – 2011)

Museum Educator for Youth Programs reporting directly to the Frederick P. and Sandra P. Rose Associate Director for Education; lead team of 18-20 full time staff, 150 part-time and contractual staff teaching volunteers; supervises the library and resource center (open to the general public) and print and online publications for students, teachers and families.  Member of the senior Education management team of colleagues responsible for General Programs for Adults, Educational Media, Subscription Concerts & Lectures, and Fellowships.

Restructured staff to create education teams focused on specific subsets of Youth audience (e.g., family, teen, school); initiated and served as principal liaison between Education Department and Multicultural Audience Development Initiative which led to museum-wide festivals focused on non-traditional audiences; taught gallery sessions in collaboration with New York City Department of Education designed to educate school superintendents, administrators and principals about the benefits of arts integration to the realization of core curriculum goals and students’ overall cognitive development. Emphasis on strategic planning, administrative coordination, staff management and stakeholder buy-in required for the position.

• Coordinates with the Museum’s Communications Department to assure proper public communication about Museum programs for young audiences. Writes, edits and reviews stakeholder communcations, reports, grants, etc.
• Serves on numerous Metropolitan Museum of Art cross-departmental committees: Museum Employee Benefits Committee, Youth Programs Advisory Committee, Education liaison to Photography and Arms & Armor Curatorial Departments.
• Prepares and oversees budgets related to youth activities in the main Museum building, in conjunction with Education’s administrative team and the Museum’s Finance Office.
• Participates in fund-raising, reporting, and related donor efforts in conjunction with Education’s administrative team and the Development Office.
• Harmonizes Education Department activities for young audiences with Museum departments also engaged in service to the public: Membership, Visitor Services, The Cloisters, Development and Communications.
• Collaborate on all teaching activities of the department including preparing and delivering lectures, gallery chats, teacher workshops, tours, volunteer training, etc. on all art historical aspects of the Metropolitan’s encyclopedic collections.
• Oversees and leads programs for young audiences in the main Museum building and offsite, dealing with both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.
• Organizes and supervises Program leaders and staff responsible for specific areas of activity: the library and resource center, and programs for schools, teachers, students and families.
• Member of Education’s senior management team, coordinates the work of School (K-12 visits), Student, Teacher, Family and Library group with other units in Education. 

CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART, Norfolk, V.A.                                                             1999 – 2005

Director of Education & Public Programs

Oversees the Norfolk Foundation Art Education Center, school and youth programs, the Docent Council, public programs, community outreach and other education activities which augment exhibitions; provides supervision to staff assigned to the Department; and serves as the Department’s liaison with Senior Staff, Curators, support groups, other museum departments and the Board of Trustees Education sub-committee.

Principal administrator with oversight for construction and program planning for the new Norfolk Foundation Art Education center; conceived and implementing new school-museum collaboration (Saplings) designed to immerse K-12 students in multi-visit engagement with visual analysis and art appreciation.

• Plans, develops, manages and teaches programs which interpret Museum collections and exhibitions to help youth and adult audiences better understand art. Programs include tours, gallery talks, lectures, symposia, teacher workshops, school outreach programs, after school programming, family programming, multiple session courses, films, concerts and various special programs.  Supervises the staff of the Jean Outland Chrysler Library.
• Selects and supervises staff of the Education Department to ensure the effective management of the Education program.
• Oversees the daily operations of the Education Department including preparation and maintaining budgets, compilation of tour and attendance statistics, and implementation of education programs.
• Develops and supervises long-range planning activities for departmental programs and operations, to include the renovation of the Diamonstein Education Workshop, docent lounge and Education Department offices.
• Collaborates with Museum staff including the Director, Deputy Directors, Curators, Exhibitions Manager, Curatorial Assistants, Development and Public Relations staff in the preparation and implementation of major education programs, loan exhibitions, and the funding and promotion of education activities.
• Serves as project director for the design, development, and implementation of the resources provided by new technologies to facilitate educational instruction.
• Collaborates with the Docent Council and supervises the training of docents. Works with Collection Curators and Education staff to ensure the appropriateness of educational materials and programs for audiences of various ages and backgrounds.
• Prepares educational materials related to Museum collections and exhibitions (e.g., wall text, brochures, and interpretive materials for teachers and students).
• Serves as liaison between the Museum and primary and secondary schools, institutions of higher learning, and represents the Museum’s educational mission to the community at large. Appears on radio and television to promote the Museum’s educational programming. 

DELAWARE ART MUSEUM, Wilmington, D.E.                                                           1997 – 1999

Manager School & Tour Programs

Supervises all education programs and tours relating to elementary and secondary students (K-12), university students, museum and academic professionals, and other audiences.  Responsible for planning and management of all functions and activities involving group tours.  Designs and implements all training for the docent corps including art history lectures, gallery work, seminars, guest speakers, written materials, and tour techniques.

Team member of joint collaboration among curators and educators to successfully complete all components of major Howard Pyle exhibition. Wrote wall text and labels for exhibition.

• Develop, research and produce written materials (teacher packets, thematic curriculum kits, brochures, newsletter copy) related to group visitor experiences.
• Plan, implement and conduct teacher workshops, educator advisory groups, and other group leader education programs.
• Develop year-long docent training program for continuing education of senior docents and preparation of docents-in-training: prepare and deliver year-long series of art history lectures; design and implement training sessions, including bus trips, social programs and guest speakers; recruit volunteer docents; develop and maintain training and tour materials; assign docent committees and supervise committee work; maintain all docent program records; prepare budget, quarterly and annual reports for docent program; organize docent graduation and volunteer recognition activities.
• Develop and implement docent alumni programs.
• Design and assign “special” tours.
• Promote the Museum’s docent program.
• Promote tour services and museum programming to education and tourism communities in addition to the general public.
• Plan, implement, and promote, in conjunction/consultation with other key staff, programs for diverse audiences.
• Develop, research and produce written family guides and family programs.
• Produce art historical content for poster sets and other written materials as required.
• Research and present lectures/gallery training on the Museum’s permanent collections (e.g., 19th century Pre-Raphaelite, American art 1750-present, American Illustration, 19th century decorative arts) and special exhibitions for community organizations, groups, and other audiences as required.

 

SELECT PUBLICATIONS:

 The Public Historian, A Journal of The National Council on Public History |State of Black Museums: Historiography Commemorating the Founding and Existence of Black Museums Over Four Decades| Assistant Editor |Volume 40|Number 3 |August 2018

“Reassessing the Vocational Origins of Hampton University and Celebrating a Singular History of Arts Engagement,” |The Public Historian| Volume 40| No. 3| August 2018| pp. 107-141

Guest Editor, International Review of African American Art (IRAAA), Hampton University, Art and Culture in Miami/Caribbean: A Vibrant and Influential Sphere of Engagement (June 2018)

Guest Editor, International Review of African American Art (IRAAA), Hampton University Museum, 40^th Anniversary Issue, vol. 26, no. 4 (2016)

Petrucci Family Foundation Collection: Envisioning Its Role as Major Collector and Preservationist of African American Art in the 21^st Century, International Review of African American Art (IRAAA), vol. 26, no. 4 (2016)

Discovering the Artistic Genius of Painter Norman Lewis (12/20/15) http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2015/12/discovering_the_artistic_genius_of_painter_norman_lewis.html

“Laurence Chibwe: Designing Across Cultures”, International Review of African American Art, vol. 25, no. 2, March 2015

“Lowery S. Sims, Following Her Bliss”, International Review of African American Art, vol. 22, no. 3, May, 2009.

“The American Museum as Active Instrument for Social Change”, International Review of African American Art, vol. 21, no. 4, February, 2008. 

“Connecting with the Community: Museum Advisory Groups“, Virginia Association of Museums Quarterly News Magazine, winter, 2000. 

WEB BASED PUBLICATIONS

 IRAAA+ – http://iraa.museum.hamptonu.edu/archive/

All Too Human, Victorian Swag in Tow Black Chronicles II Brings Images from Photography’s First Century Out of the Dark (12/4/15) http://iraaa.museum.hamptonu.edu/page/All-Too-Human%2C-Victorian-Swag-in-Tow

Norman Lewis, Artist, Visionary, Humanist Procession: The Art of Norman Lewis, November 13, 2015-April 3, 2016, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art (11/17/15) http://iraaa.museum.hamptonu.edu/page/Norman-Lewis%2C-Artist%2C-Visionary%2C-Humanist

Survey Finds African Americans Under Represented in Art Museum Professions

(8/14/15)

http://iraaa.museum.hamptonu.edu/page/Survey-Finds-African-Americans-Under-Represented-in-Art-Museum-Professions

One Boss, A Picture of Our Time (8/11/15)

One Boss, A Picture of Our Time: IRAAA 

Art for Life Gala Raises 1.2 Million (7/20/15)

Art for Life Gala Raises 1.2 Million: IRAAA 

LACMA Brings Noah Purifoy Out of the Desert (7/13/15)

LACMA Brings Noah Purifoy Out of the Desert: IRAAA

Making Art of Song: From Shards of Smashed Vinyl Records (4/30/15) http://iraaa.museum.hamptonu.edu/page/Making-Art-of-Song

The Cooper Gallery of Harvard University: Serving the Campus, the Community and the Art of the African Diaspora (3/10/15) The Cooper Gallery of Harvard University: IRAAA

Deborah Grant: A Master of Reinvention (9/18/14) Deborah Grant, A Master of Reinvention: IRAAA

Anatomy of a Painting: Mason Archie (6/16/14) http://iraaa.museum.hamptonu.edu/page/Anatomy-of-a-Painting

What Lies Beyond the Human and the Made (Mason Archie) (2/4/14)

http://iraaa.museum.hamptonu.edu/page/What-Lies-Beyond-the-Human-and-the-Made

http://iraaa.museum.hamptonu.edu/page/Chester-Higgins%2C-Jr%3E%2C-Harlem-Spirit 

African American Print & Visual Media at The National Archives, no. 2 (1/6/14)

http://iraaa.museum.hamptonu.edu/page/African-American-Print-%26-Visual-Media-at-the-Nat’l-Archives%2C-no%3E-2 

African American Print & Visual Media at The National Archives, no. 1 (12/16/13)

http://iraaa.museum.hamptonu.edu/page/African-American-Print-%26-Visual-Media-at-the-Nat’l-Archives%2C-no%3E-1

Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia Work of the Month Archive (2000-2005) http://www.chrysler.org/wom/archive.asp 

Chrysler Museum of Art

Online Resource (2001-02)

Learning About China through Art

(Project Coordinator/Research Associate)

http://www.chrysler.org/china/lacta.html

Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia

Work of the Month Archive

http://www.chrysler.org/wom/archive.asp

May 2004 – Untitled Film Still #16, 1978, Cindy Sherman (American)

September 2004 – Dawn’s Presence, 1972-75, Louise Nevelson (American)

January 2004 – Sheltered Naga Buddha, c. 12^th century (Cambodian)

March 2003 – Bust of the Savior, 1679-80, Gianlorenzo Bernini (Italian)

October 2003 – Flying Boat, 1998, Lino Tagliapietra (Italian)

November 2002 – Still Life, ca. 1900-05, William Merritt Chase (American)

November-December 2001 – La Desserte – (Remains of the Meal), 1876, Etienne-Prosper Berne-Bellecour (French)

September 2001 – Untitled, 1949, Mark Rothko (American)

March 2001 – A Wedding Party, 1673, Anthonie Palamedesz (Dutch) 

PRESENTATIONS, MEMBERSHIPS, ADVOCACY:

Member, American Alliance of Museums (formerly AAM), National Art Education Association

Fall 2015 – Member Outreach Committee – Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) – Norman Lewis: Processions

May 15, 2012 – Presentation, Curatorial Forum (scholars) on behalf of their participation in the new High School Internship Program – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.

January 18, 2012 – Workshop seminar and gallery presentation to Cluster 4 superintendents and network principals, NYC Department of Education at The Metropolitan Museum of Art – “How Visual Art and Arts Integration  Adhere to New K-12 Common Core Curriculum as Informational Texts”

February 14, 2011 – Invited Lecturer, “Friedrich, Herschel and Romanticism”, The Hermitage Society, Norfolk, Virginia

December 21, 2011 – Gallery Presentation – “Creative Texts, Artists, Artworks and What They Can Teach Our Students” for CFN 405 NYC Department of Education Principals Meetings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

March 18, 2011 – Seminar/Gallery Presentation – “The Artist as Storyteller in Cultural and Historical Contexts”, Cluster One Superintendents, New York City Department of Education at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

March 7, 2008 – Invited Speaker – (Lecture) “Museum Culture & Careers”, Bard College, Annandale, N.Y.

July 27, 2007 – Guest Lecturer – Graduate Seminar, Columbia University Teachers College, New York, N.Y. , “Museum Voices – Large & Small”

July 26, 2007 – Community Outreach Lecture, “African-American Artists”, 92^nd Street Y, New York, N.Y.

2006 – Presenter – National Art Education Association (NAEA) – Chicago

“Movement Techniques” – Shelley Weisberg

2005 – AAM Museum Assessment Peer Reviewer/Surveyor

(Site Visit/Report – National Museum of Women in the Arts – Washington, D.C.)

2003 – AAM Museum Assessment Peer Reviewer/Surveyor

Site Visit/Report – Arlington Museum, Arlington, Texas)

2003 – Panel Participant – American Association of Museums (AAM) –

Portland, Oregon –  “Dialogue Across Disciplines”.

Member, Gifted and Talented Advisory Board, Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk,

Virginia

1998 – Member – Educational Advisory Group for the Philadelphia Museum of Art working in 1998 on developing set of full color teaching posters of African-American art for schools (K-12).

1997 – 1999 – Treasurer and Board Member, Delaware Alliance for Arts in Education

April 24, 1997 – Panelist, “Young Authors’ Workshop”, William C. Lewis Elementary School, Wilmington

May 20, 1997 – Educator’s Workshop, Delaware Theatre Company, Wilmington, Delaware

June 23-24, 1997 – Intensive Museum Educator’s Workshop, “Visual Thinking Strategies”, Visual Understanding in Education, New York, N.Y.

October 23-24, 1997, Kennedy Center Arts Alliance Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

October 25, 1997, Delaware Arts Summit, Newark 

April 1, 1998, Presenter, “Discover Your World”, Drew Pyle Elementary School, Wilmington, Delaware

1997 – 1999 –  Member, Artstart, arts advocacy project for promoting the integration of the arts across school curriculums 

TEACHING:

July 15-25, 2008 – Instructor – Art History Summer Intensive (high school), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.

February 9, 2008 – Galley Tour on special exhibition “Eternal Ancestors” for high school students, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.

January 7, 2008 – Instructor,  Docent Training, “Nineteenth Century Painting”, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.

December 1, 2007 – Educator workshop co-taught with curators – “History of Photography”, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.

November 16, 2007 – Public Gallery Tour – “Leadership”, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.

November 5, 2007 – Instructor, Docent Training “Rembrandt”, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.

Fall 2007/Spring 2008 (4 sessions) – High School Independent Study on Art History and Art Historical  Research, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.

September 17, 2007 – Instructor, Docent Training, “The English School”, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.

Spring 2006 – Adjunct Faculty (Course) – Pace University – Modern Art Survey 214

Spring 2006 – Fall 2005 – Instructor – Metropolitan Museum/NYC Department of Education – Teaching Training/Museum Ambassadors Program. Sessions taught: “Visual Art & Writing Connections” (October 2005), “Art Objects as Primary Sources” (December 2005), “The Metropolitan Museum of Art: An Architectural History” (March 2006)

2005-06 (Staff Liaison/Instructor) – Metropolitan Museum of Art High School Teaching Volunteers. Workshops taught: African Art, American Art, Medieval Art, Touring Techniques and Strategies

Spring 2006 – Metropolitan Museum of Art Family Circle Workshop (Development) “Nineteenth Century American Landscape”

Spring 2006 – Gallery Lecture – Metropolitan Museum of Art New Volunteer Workshop, “History of Photography”

Fall 2001 – Nineteenth Century American Art – (Docent Workshop)

January 5, 2002  – Art & Propaganda during the Counter-Reformation (Gallery Lecture)

January 22, 2002 – American Century of Photography – Muscarelle Museum Council (Lecture)

January 29, 2002 – Education Programming/Theory – Hampton Roads Cultural Alliance (Lecture)

February 25, 2002 – Art of the Medieval World – (Docent Lecture)

March 2, 2002 – Nineteenth Century Art Movements (Lecture)

March 4, 2002 – Baroque Art (North & South) (Docent Lecture)

March 20, 2002 – Ancient Greek and Roman Mythology in Art – Philoptochos Society – Greek Orthodox Church (Lecture)

March 21, 2002 – 19^th & 20^th Century Sculpture (Docent Lecture)

April 3, 2002 – The Chrysler Museum Collections – Pembroke Kiwanis – Virginia Beach (Lecture)

April 11, 2002 – Medieval Art  – Westminster Canterbury – Virginia Beach (Lecture)

April 15, 2002 – 19^th Century American Painting – (Docent Lecture)

May 6, 2002 – Contemporary Art (Docent Lecture)

May 13, 2002 – Outsider Art (Docent Lecture)

October 5, 2002 – American Impressionism – (Lecture)

November 2, 2002 – Beauty of Idea & Concept in Contemporary Art (Lecture)

Spring, 2002 – Art History Survey 101 – (Docent Training)

Updated 4/19/23