Michaela Wright Email & Phone Number

Bronx, New York, United States

The manager of interpretive content supports the exhibitions department of the New York Botanical Garden in the creation of new exhibitions and engaging interpretation of the Garden's collections. In this role I conduct research and collaborate with horticulture and science curators to interpret the Garden's permanent collections by way of inventive signage. In collaboration with the Director of Exhibitions and outside curators & experts, I develop interpretive content and frameworks for garden-wide and gallery exhibitions as well. I also manage and create content for NYBG's Bloomberg Connects app, including audio, and support day to day maintenance of permanent collections interpretive signage.

Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States

Conducted archival research, oral histories, public outreach and fieldwork to identify and create an inventory of historic and culturally significant trees in this historic city's urban canopy. Wrote, illustrated and designed an interpretive map, guide, and website. Carried out public events for community engagement with the project. 3-mo appointment under Mass Humanities grant, launched to the public on Sept 9.

Greater New York City Area

Assists with daily tasks in Exhibitions department, including exhibit installation, maintenance, and conducting content and feasibility research to support upcoming exhibitions, including Yayoi Kusama, 2021. Researched and wrote content on climate change's impact on botanical and human life in New York for Earth Day, 2020.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Managed & facilitated private event bookings, client and vendor communications, day-of logistics, and administrative and accounting documentation for private events and private museum programs, surpassing income goals by 30k+. Managed all private events marketing and developed partnerships with local vendors. Created new social media content weekly, assisted in development of institutional media strategy. Assisted Visitor Services and other departments including leading public programs and tours of Historic House, supporting development events, operating POS in gift shop, and managing museum daily operations on weekends.

Washington, D.C.

Provided support to Operations manager including preparing all purchasing paperwork, collecting quotes, communicating and negotiating with potential vendors, and writing contracts for selected contractors. Managed production calendar, coordinated logistics of deliveries of infrastructure to site, and supervised contractor work on site. Communicated with and assisted the Festival’s ten food concessionaires to apply for permits, get contracts in place, collect necessary information and organize all logistics of food sales at Festival’s Night Market. Event had an estimated attendance of 40,000 people over two days.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Manage and organize supply requests, obtain curatorial input for, source, and procure objects needed for presentation of the Folklife Festival, coordinate logistics of delivery and organization of supplies on site, maintain an inventory, conductd inventory, obtain in-kind donations from local stores, manage a small team, and complet accounting paperwork following debt and credit purchases.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Administrative Assistant to the Technical Director supporting the Freedom Sounds Festival of the Grand Opening Celebration of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). Prepared documentation for hiring vendors and contractors, tracked and documented purchase card spending and festival-wide budgets, coordinated logistics of deliveries to site, acted as communications liaison between vendors and the technical team, tracked technical team hours, and generally assisted the technical director and operations manager for the Freedom Sounds Festival, part of the NMAAHC Grand Opening Celebration.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Worked with the supply coordinator to organize supply requests, obtain curatorial input for, source, and procure objects needed for presentation of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, coordinate logistics of delivering and organizing supplies on site, maintain a standing inventory, and completed accounting paperwork following debt and credit purchases.

Williamsburg, Va

Conducted original archival research, developed themes and concepts, wrote label text, chose objects for display and aided in planning exhibit visuals and layout with one other student. Exhibit was mounted in Fall 2016 and remained on display until Jan 2017. Exhibit publication coming Spring 2019.

American Indian Initiative

Carried out research independently to support historical programming featuring actors telling 18th century Native American stories, organized pre-existing sources into research guides, searched for and presented archival sources with relevant new information, completed administrative tasks.

Williamsburg Virginia

Conducted phone calls with parents and alumni to raise funds for the College’s advancement.

Williamsburg, Va

Identified and compiled names of artists and potential pieces for an exhibit proposal on modern Native American northwest coast art, wrote bios for artists and pieces, identified institutions with important collections, and presented information to a curator at the Museum

Assisting Folklife Festival Production Manager in creating and updating schedules, keeping Festival staff on schedule, working cooperatively with other staff members to prepare signs to go to editing & press, managing festival app, and other logistical coordination.

Washington D.C.

Assisted the festival construction crew in creating exhibition spaces including building stages, painting flats, and helping to coordinate logistics. Worked both collaboratively and individually.

Master Of Arts - Ma, Museum Anthropology, 4.2

Masters thesis was a digital ethnography about the intersection of online activism, labor, and museums. During my masters I sought.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Cultural Anthropology, 3.8

Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Anthropology, minor in American History, and certificate in Public History and Material Culture.