Erik Smith Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

*Lead institutional strategy related to design, implementation, and refinement of current and future exhibits, exhibitions, and environments.*Oversee the design, prototyping, fabrication, installation, maintenance, remediation, and evaluation of interactive exhibits, exhibitions, and exhibit environments.*Support and work alongside exhibit fabricators and developers in exhibit development, prototyping, production, fabrication, and installation; support and work alongside exhibit technicians with maintenance and other tasks.*Establish and manage the budgets for the exhibits and facilities departments.*Manage business relationships with external service providers, contractors, and vendors.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Responsible for directing all aspects of exhibit development and maintenance, education programs, and visitor engagement strategies.Exhibits* Responsible for the ongoing development and maintenance of the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions.* Led the design and development of the museum’s children’s play area at Washington Reagan National Airport.Education* Oversee the development of field trip programs, workshops, and offsite education experiences.* Direct the museum’s Artist in Residence program* Established the core educational philosophy and approach for the museum’s education programs.* Provide leadership and management training to staff.* Foster a collaborative learning environment and provide resources for personal and professional growth of team members.* Oversee the museum facilitation team, ensuring positive visitor interactions and learning opportunities.Senior Leadership* Develop strategic plans and initiatives to further the museum’s impact.* Strategize with senior leadership and board of directors to establish and achieve organizational goals. * Establish annual departmental budgets for both Exhibits and Education.

Northwest Arkansas

Senior Leadership• Led the creative development and management of the museum’s permanent and temporary, indoor and outdoors exhibitions.• Developed strategic plans and initiatives to further the museum’s impact.• Strategized with senior leadership and board of directors to establish museum's core purpose, core business, mission, and values.• Prepared annual department operating budgets for Exhibits and Facilities.Exhibits and Programs Creative Development • Led a creative team of museum exhibition developers, fabricators and technicians.• Facilitated positive and effective collaboration in exhibit development .• Developed a wide-range of programs and experiences.Facilities Operations• Oversaw the maintenance and operations of the museum including its 3,000 sq-ft fabrication shop.• Ensured the safety and security of the facilities, museum staff and guests.Community Partnerships and Collaboration • Developed a community network of fabricators and volunteers.• Developed and sustained collaborative relationships to offer innovative experiences.• Directed and managed key public programs including Tinkerfest and adult nights.• Managed the museum’s creative maker (artist) residency program.• Assisted the Education Department in the implementation of professional development programs for educators and museum professionals.Project Management • Directed and manage multiple projects in fast-paced dynamic environment.• Managed technical and logistical aspects of traveling exhibitions.

Greater San Diego Area

• Collaborated in the development of several exhibits, exhibitions and program spaces, establishing educational content, conceptual planning, coordinating copy and graphic design, fabrication, installation and maintenance.• Coordinated the installation and removal of several traveling exhibitions; arranging for shipping, equipment and labor, coordinating vendors, reviewing contracts, planning and directing installation and maintenance. • Supervised Exhibit Technician to enhance the functionality and monitor and maintain the visual appearance and operation of exhibits.• Managed interpretive staff and volunteers within established departmental personnel budget, including hiring, training, reviewing performance, and setting individual and departmental goals.• Developed and produced necessary materials and manuals for a structured extended training program for interpretive staff and volunteers.• Collaborated with interpretive staff and Education department to enhance existing and to develop new educational programming, demonstrations and activities.

Greater San Diego Area

• Managed interpretive staff and volunteers within established departmental personnel budget, including hiring, training, reviewing performance, and setting individual and departmental goals.• Developed a structured extended training program for interpretive staff and volunteers that includes regular workshops, weekly exercises, training in inquiry-based learning pedagogy, science content lessons, demonstration training, and training in inquiry-based facilitation techniques• Enhanced existing and to developed new educational programming, demonstrations and activities including: DNA Days, Solar Energy Day, Strange Matter, Gross Olympics, Biosciences Day, RoboExpo, Pi Day, and Polarpalooza.• Facilitated research and development of age-appropriate demonstrations and investigations for preschool gallery.• Developed the Demonstration Cart (a mobile demonstration station) and improved the quantity and quality of demonstrations available for this venue