B R E T T

J O H N

J O H N S O N
cell 215.410.1988

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

brettjohnjohnson@yahoo.com 2011

INTRODUCTION
Multi-faceted, creative and skilled art professional with demonstrated experience connecting the visual arts to a diverse audience. Recognized as a clear communicator, planner, art installer, promoter, curator, and teacher with a passion for producing high quality art experiences.

CAREER EXPERIENCE
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden S m i t h s o n i a n I n s t i t u t i o n Washington DC 2010 - Present Exhibits Specialist Exhibition Department Art handling, packaging and art installation independently and with teams of specialists Installation and de-installation (including packing) of special exhibitions including; Yves Klein: With the Void, Full Powers, Guillermo Kuitca: Everything, Blinky Palermo: Retrospective 1946 - 1977, and Andy Warhol: Shadows Handling, installation and storage of objects from the permanent collection including work by artists such as Mark Rothko, James Turrell, Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder and Francis Bacon Serve with multiple museum staff including curators, registrars and outside contractors V i s A r t s a t R o c k v i l l e Rockville MD 2008 - 2011 Curated relevant and fresh community-minded art exhibitions Acted as preparator and registrar creating vibrant new installation techniques and developed standards for storage and art care while maintaining a low budget Established and nurtured relationships with community leaders including cultural organizations, art collectors, government officials, embassies, art centers, museums, and libraries Built new audiences using cost-effective marketing tools and high quality materials such as posters, flyers, signs and social media viral-marketing campaigns Managed VisArts Resident Artists program Launched and managed a program to provide opportunities for adults with disabilities Gallery Director 2010 - 2011 Oversaw several galleries, including planning, curating or selecting/overseeing outside curators and installing over 35 exhibitions a year involving professional, student, and local artists Developed long-term planning with Board of Directors Created, planned, and facilitated diverse educational public programs and resources Led and managed over five staff members and numerous volunteers Director of Exhibition Education 2008 - 2009 Designed and implemented educational exhibitions and exhibition-related educational materials Designed, produced, and managed tour programs, audio tours, family guides, educational text, resources, and visitor based interactive gallery displays Implemented and led the VisArts Ambassador Program comprised of interns, docents, and volunteers Delaware Art Museum Wilmington DE 2007-2008 Studio Programs Manager Education Department Planned, promoted, and implemented innovative studio programs connecting the Museum with a diverse community of artists and art students Directed operations of the Museum Education Wing and its four museum studios: childrens, ceramics, metalsmithing, painting and sculpture Supervised over thirty part-time studio faculty and volunteers Authored text for quarterly publications, maintained budgets, and organized studio supplies Provided thorough customer-support to students regarding studio classes and art camps Directed art selection, exhibition design, and installation of an instructor exhibition in the Museum

B R E T T

J O H N
Page 2

J O H N S O N

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Developed gallery space in the Education Wing that spotlight student artwork and taught curating Contributed to the Museums Interpretation and Curatorial Committee Developed and created interactive Museum gallery stations to interpret art exhibitions Tyler School of Art Elkins Park / Philadelphia PA 2005 - 2007 Graduate Assistant Exhibitions & Public Programs 2005 - 2007 Installed and de-installed professional gallery exhibitions including carpentry, wall construction, painting, art handling, art packing, interactive / text and art installation Assisted in planning and implementing publications and public programming Director and Student Advisor Produce Exhibition Program 2006 - 2007 Oversaw and led students who exhibited professional artwork and conducted creative programs

EDUCATION
M F A Painting & Drawing Temple University Tyler School of Art Elkins Park / Philadelphia PA Conceptually explored multimedia and installation art focusing on audience participation B F A Painting & Printmaking with a minor in Art History Virginia Commonwealth University VCU School of the Arts Richmond VA 2007

2005

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

The Phillips Collection, Security Museum Assistant, Washington DC Delaware College of Art and Design, Continuing Education Instructor, Wilmington DE Tyler School of Art, Pre-college Workshop Teacher, Elkins Park / Philadelphia PA Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia PA Visiting Artist, 2004 - 2005 Education Independent Contractor, 2003 Museum Studies Intern, 2003 Virginia Commonwealth University, Intern Curator, Richmond VA Fairmount Park Commission, Ryerss Museum and Library Staff, Philadelphia PA 2009 - 2010 2008 2006 2003 - 2005

2004 - 2005 2002 - 2003

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT

The Washington Print Club, Honorary Member - Washington DC 2010 - Present American Association of Museums Emerging Museum Professional (EMP) 2009 - Present American Association of Museums: Museum Advocate to the U.S. Congress - Washington DC 2010 American Association of Museums conference attendee / volunteer - Philadelphia PA 2009 Philadelphia Museum Council - Philadelphia PA 2008 American Association of Museums conference attendee - Denver CO 2008

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Grant - Temple University 2005, 2006 Full Tuition Scholarship - Temple University Graduate School Tyler School of Art 2005 Peachtree Award - Visual Arts - Scholarship Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts 2004 The Deans International Study Grant - Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts 2004 the Art Institute of Florence Florence, Italy Attended Lorenzo De Medici 2004 National Society of Collegiate Scholars Doris Lansing Art Foundation Scholarship - Virginia Commonwealth University 2001 2001 Provost Scholarship Full In-state Tuition and Fees Virginia Commonwealth University