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Museum content developer and writer
Dorothy Bayern
San Francisco, CA
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About
I am a writer, anthropologist, folklorist, science aficionado, and museum exhibitions professional. I have more than seven years of proven experience in the museum field: researching, developing, writing, and installing exhibitions about science and culture, designing and crafting custom archival object mounts, and engaging underserved communities to further educational equity.
Museum work is a deeply fulfilling way for me to pursue lifelong loves of history, cultural studies, art, science, design, and writing all at once. I believe strongly that museums can be a force for decolonization and social justice, and enjoy revealing the underrepresented histories of Native peoples, minorities, women and children. I also know that museums have the power to make potentially intimidating STE(A)M topics accessible and exciting for general audiences.
My strengths are clear interpretive writing and editing, and developing playful low-cost, high-impact exhibit interactives. I make a mean bubble diagram and I enjoy tackling all kinds of exhibition challenges. -
Education
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Master of Science (M.S.) Interdisciplinary Studies: FolkloreUniversity of Oregon2009 - 2014An individualized program with the Arts & Administration and Theatre Arts departments. Terminal Project: Satellite exhibitions for Lane County Historical Museum and Eugene Opera —Report: "The Girl and I: Developing Two Community History Exhibitions in Connection to Puccini's Girl of the Golden West"
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Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) AnthropologyUniversity of Oregon2003 - 2008Graduated with dual concentrations in Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology. Minor in Theatre Arts. Certificate in Folklore.
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Museum StudiesUniversity of Westminster2007 - 2007
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Experience
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Exhibit DeveloperChicago, ILOct 2016 - Oct 2017 (1 year)Researched and developed content and interactives, and wrote scripts for the Nature Museum's original exhibitions. Worked collaboratively in exhibit teams and with content experts, collections, education, and marketing staff, artists, and designers to participate in all facets of creating the Nature Museum's temporary, traveling, and permanent exhibitions. Handled project management for shows in the Museums' art galleries.
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Community Engagement Specialist (Americorps VISTA)San Francisco, CAMay 2015 - May 2016 (1 year)I served a one year, full-time Americorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) assignment as part of a wider project administered by the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). Through ASTC I collaborated with colleagues at science centers across the US to share solutions and report back to the field on STEM program reach. By increasing access to these programs and raising awareness of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers, ASTC Community STEM Initiative partners provided low income youth with opportunities to lift themselves out of poverty.
Documented the Exploratorium's community-based STEM outreach program partnerships
Engaged new partners including the neighboring San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park
Supported fledgling Girls Science Institute, which focused on providing STEM outreach to preteen girls
Co-presented 4 Exhibit Design for Girls Engagement (EDGE) workshops for museum professionals around the country -
Demo Content Creation ConsultantSan Francisco, CAFeb 2015 - Mar 2015 (1 month)Developing base templates filled with creative copy and visuals to demonstrate a variety of functions
Featured samples include a Restaurant Field Guide, Travel Bucket List, and Team Task Management -
MountmakerFordham and Associates Fine Art Services LLCAug 2014 - Nov 2014 (3 months)Designed and fabricated custom archival mounts for seismic stabilization of fine art objects in museum and private collections.
On-site object evaluation, fabrication of templates and mockups, installation of mounts and art
Fabrication of 25+ final mounts from brass and other archival materials in a dedicated workshop
Created calendar for equipment maintenance and worksite organization and safety improvements
Developed 12-page responsive WordPress website, rewrote copy, and prepared site for launch
Took meeting and onsite notes, managed correspondence with clients and vendors -
Summer Post-Grad Folklife FellowOregon Folklife NetworkJun 2014 - Aug 2014 (2 months)Served on panel to jury applications for Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program
Produced exhibit design guidelines for future student projects in OFN exhibit spaces
Contributed writing and editing on 2 grants to support folk artists and community cultural programming in Oregon -
Curator, Jensen Arctic CollectionUniversity of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural HistoryJan 2014 - Jun 2014 (5 months)This part-time graduate fellowship enabled me to complete an important left-field project for the Museum, and remain on hand to help wrap up the production phase of the new natural history hall, while also completing the terminal project for my Master's.
Designed an exhibition celebrating the recently transferred collections of the Jensen Arctic Museum
Selected objects and stories, collaborating closely with MNCH Collections Director and JAM Curator
Researched and wrote copy for labels and interpretive panels for artifacts and taxidermy animals
Designed exhibit floorplan in SketchUp
Planned case layouts, mounted and installed objects including taxidermy, fossils, utilitarian items and art
Assisted the Exhibit Department with other projects as needed, including brazing fossil mounts -
Exhibitions CoordinatorUniversity of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural HistorySep 2008 - Jan 2014 (5 years 4 months)On any given day my duties ranged from research, writing, and design to loan contracts and purchasing to mount fabrication, patching and painting walls and changing the odd light bulb.
Primary exhibit copy writer for 'Explore Oregon,' a 1000+ sq ft expansion opening in spring 2014
Synthesized edits and feedback from content experts, supervisors, and designers
Co-developed, wrote for, and coordinated production of changing exhibits in up to 5 rotating spaces
Spearheaded collaborative projects with local organizations, artists, and University faculty
Processed new loans for display objects in accordance with University and State guidelines
Supervised student staff and volunteers in exhibit and courtyard design and maintenance roles -
Teaching Assistant, TA 199: Reinventing YourselfUniversity of Oregon Theatre ArtsApr 2008 - Nov 2009 (1 year 7 months)Freshman seminar held 3 terms so far: Spring 2008; Winter and Fall 2009
Wrote and illustrated tutorial: "The Gothic Fitted Dress," taught medieval garment fitting and construction
Lectured on historical research methods for costume historians -
Exhibit Interpreter and School Programs Tour GuideUniversity of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural HistorySep 2007 - Jun 2008 (9 months)Oriented visitors, led tours and activities for K-12, alternative and homeschool student groups
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Assistant Exhibit Designer, "Walk A Mile In These Shoes"University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural HistoryJan 2008 - Apr 2008 (3 months)Liaised with University Theatre, businesses, and community to find items for display
Arranged personal property loans using University contracts, made purchases
Assisted with exhibit installation, including artifact handling and packing objects from previous exhibit
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Affiliations
American Alliance of Museums
Western Museums Association
California Association of Museums -
Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@dorothyb, member since 2014
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