About

I have over 20 years of experience working in the arts, both inside and outside of institutions. I am especially interested in the ways that art can connect with people and their everyday lives. This has led to a wide ranging curatorial practice which encompasses large-budget exhibitions, small popups, public art, and community engagement. 

My exhibitions often feature creative works that defy categories and explore intersections: between art and craft, craft and design, history and present. As my career has progressed to leadership roles, I have become increasingly focused on the ways in which I can incorporate and platform the perspectives of others.

I've served as an outside advisor for survey exhibitions, particularly in areas of craft and design. I've also worked in collections, managing acquisitions campaigns and writing collections assessments for institutions as well as cataloging private collections.In all of those roles, and through my online project @Diversify_Design (with Julie Muñiz) I advocate for representation of historically marginalized artists and designers. 

Institutional Experience

Executive Director (July 2024 to present)
James Renwick Alliance for Craft, Washington, DC

Deputy Director (Jan 2022 to Feb 2024)

Craft Alliance, St. Louis, MO

Curatorial and Exhibitions Director (Feb 2016 to April 2020)

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, Oklahoma City, OK 

Associate Curator of Collections (Jan 2001 to Jan 2013)

Museum of Arts and Design, New York, New York

 For a complete and fully updated resume, please contact me at jennifer.m.scanlan@gmail.com