Pierson brown's RESUME
EDUCATION
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES May 2023
- Master of Arts, Museum Studies
- Cumulative GPA: 3.958
- Relevant Coursework
- Thesis: Produced research entitled “Bringing the Outside In: How New York’s Museums Created Self-Taught Art” investigating curatorial power regarding self-taught art and the intentions behind institutions exhibiting marginalized artists
- Museums & Political Conflict: Produced three-part research series unpacking controversy of the 1991 exhibition Old Glory, culminating with a leadership framework for institutions presenting potentially controversial works to their audiences
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS MAY 2021
- BA, Interdisciplinary Studies: Communications, Law, Economics, & Government (CLEG) and Minor in Art History
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Cumulative GPA: 3.88, Dean’s List (Fall 2018 – Spring 2021), SPA Leadership Program, AU Scholars Program, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, Presidential Scholarship Recipient
- Relevant Courses and Projects:
- American Art: Civil War – Civil Rights: Curated a 12-work exhibition proposal and ArtSteps design on self-taught artists Howard Finster, Sister Gertrude Morgan, and Purvis Young discussing Christianity in self-taught art
- Latin American Art History: Created a 10-page writing portfolio with formal analyses, interpreting evidence, and critical writing on various pre-Columbian artifacts and created on a 12-page research paper on the use of the Chavín object “Spoon with Profile Face with Ornate Head Decoration”
- Approaches to Art History: Worked with a team of 2 others to collect 5 critical interpretations of Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”, culminating in a 40-minute presentation
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR | ART IN ODD PLACES | MAY 2022 - SEPTEMBER 2022
- Coordinated projects and fulfill needs of 40 artists to participate in the 3-day event
- Built partnerships with local businesses along 14th street, where festival is held annually
- Educated volunteers on bystander intervention and de-escalation tactics
- Met weekly with team of 18 to discuss goals for the week, upcoming deadlines, and what support artists need
ARTS WRITING INCUBATOR FELLOW | BURNAWAY | JUNE 2022 - AUGUST 2022
- Participant in Burnaway's Art Writing Incubator themed "Criticism as Care"
- Worked with Burnaway editorial team and other arts writers as mentors to improve arts criticism skills
- Authored piece centered around self-taught, visionary artist St. EOM and the broader conversation of arts conservation
- Joined cohort of 23 professionals from around the Southeast in bi-weekly meetings to discuss contemporary art in the Southeast, formulate criticism pitches, and create networks among arts professionals.
CURATORIAL FELLOW | SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM | NOVEMBER 2021 - FEBRUARY 2022
- Assisted Kyung An, Assistant Curator of Asian Art, on one historical, international exhibition and one contemporary exhibition to be presented in 2023
- Conducted archival and contemporary research for catalogues and artwork texts
- Gained experience with The Museum System, Parallels, and Sharepoint
- Attended weekly professional development seminars with cohort of five members
SUMMER COLLEGE WORKSHOP| SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM| JUNE 2021 - AUGUST 2021
- 10-week program engaging with scholarship and art through seminars with 14 cohort members
- Conducted an individual project focused on Bluegrass music as archival documents, taking the form of a podcast with members of The New Mountain Opry
- Built relationships with fellow cohort members, museum staff, and artists
ADVANCEMENT OFFICE ASSISTANT & AUCTION COORDINATOR | THE BRIGHT SCHOOL | JUNE 2021 - AUGUST 2021
- Generated $48,000+ in annual auction on team of 4 for auction to support financial aid and scholarships
- Communicated with 250+ local, national, and global businesses to coordinate donations
- Held position each Summer beginning in 2018
ASSOCIATE PODCAST PRODUCER AND INTERVIEWER | THE CREATIVE PROCESS | JANUARY 2021 – MAY 2021
- Collaborated with Founder and Artist Mia Funk on interviews concerning curation, art history, and sustainability
- Used Descript and Garage Band software to edit audio and add transitions and creative dialogue interludes
- Finalized and promote podcast episodes that receive over 4,500 active daily plays
EDUCATION INTERN | HEURICH HOUSE MUSEUM | JANUARY 2021 – MAY 2021
- Assisted with archival research concerning the history of the Heurich House's staff members
- Created educational content for exhibits and events to be held in the future and to engage visitors virtually
- Learned the function of small-scale museums and assisted with other projects as necessary
EXTRACURRICULAR Activities
SENIOR COUNSELOR | AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY VOLUNTEER GIRLS STATE | JUNE 2023
- Educated 400+ rising senior girls from around Tennessee on the importance of active local and state citizenship
- Led 30 students with a team of 5 counselors in programs to learn about state and city government hands on
- Provided delegates with opportunities to engage with real-world issues, growing their confidence and leadership abilities
- Invited to return after delegate year (2017) and served as a counselor annually
SOCIAL COMMITTEE | MUSEUM STUDIES STUDENT ASSOCIATION | SEPTEMBER 2021 - MAY 2022
- Organize 2-3 weekly events for social engagement among program of 80+ students
- Work with local museums to coordinate tours, special events, and other unique opportunities
- Engage with team of 4 to determine logistics of each event
CO-EVENT COORDINATOR | AMERICAN UNIVERSITY CHAARG| AUGUST 2020 – MAY 2021
- Organized 30+ events for CHAARG, a national organization empowering women to take control of their health and wellness in a holistic way
- Worked with local businesses to host weekly workouts for a chapter of 60 students
- Led a group of 6 weekly in a workout and bonding experiences
TUTOR | DC READS – AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | SEPTEMBER 2020 - MAY 2021
- Developed literacy skills of students aged kindergarten through second grade who are reading below grade level benchmarks
- Participated in AmeriCorps Reading Partners program online, in person September 2018-May 2019
- Built relationships with students and faculty at Dorothy I. Height Elementary 4 hours weekly
COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIR | SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM | APRIL 2019 – MAY 2020
- Worked with the Steering Committee to promote events and engagement from students in the program, Freshmen-Seniors
- Created graphics using Canva, managing social media accounts, and sending newsletters via Mail Chimp
- Collaborated with students across all grade levels to encourage personal and professional relationships