The American Museum’s Collections Manager Katherine Hebert has now been appointed Chief Curator.
Kate has served for the past ten years in her former role at the Claverton Down museum, providing her with extensive knowledge of the collections and period rooms. She has been the curator of very successful Christmas shows and has taken a particular interest in textiles, co-authoring Classic Quilts from the American Museum in Britain with Laura Beresford.
Kate took her undergraduate degree in American Studies, with Special Honours, at the University of Hull, spending a year at the University of Maine and writing her final-year dissertation on Norman Rockwell. She received her MA in Museum Studies in 2004 from the prestigious programme at the University of Leicester.
She has participated in the Attingham Summer School and has previous work experience at the Royal Collection and in the Leicester Record Office.
Meanwhile, following a national search, Zoe Dennington has been announced as the Museum’s new Head of Visitor Experience.
Zoe has served for the past two years as Head of Learning and Events Programming at the Museum, a post that has included responsibility for volunteers and for community outreach. She has performed superbly in all of these endeavours and is excited about assuming this new position, which combines visitor services with membership, volunteers, learning, events programming, marketing, and public relations.
Zoe took a first at the University of Liverpool in Latin American Studies and a master’s degree, with distinction, at University College London in Cultural Heritage Studies. She served as an intern at the Hackney Museum and the Jewish Museum, both in London, and worked for the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, the Swindon Borough Council, and BANES heritage services before joining the American Museum.
It is with great regret that, due to personal circumstances, Nicola Tallis has had to withdraw her acceptance of the Volunteer Coordinator role. Fortunately another outstanding candidate— Tour Guide Sharon Blanchard has been appointed. Sharon has been with the Museum since 2012 and has an excellent knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the collections.
With a diverse range of employment experience including roles in media and PR, Sharon will bring a broad range of skills to the role.
