Katherine Taylor McBroom
Nashville,TN
Summary
Diligent Curator of Collections and Exhibitswith robust background in managing collections and curating exhibitions. Proven ability to organize and present collections, enhancing visitor engagement and educational value. Demonstrated expertise in research and collection management, paired with strong organizational and communication skills.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Curator of Collections and Exhibits
Belle Meade Historic Site
Nashville, TN
09.2023 - 05.2026
- Curates and oversees the historic collection and archives, with emphasis on archives, photographs, costumes and textiles, musical instruments, and nineteenth-century furnishings.
- Plans, develops, and installs exhibitions that interpret the collection and site history, including object selection, layout, and interpretive text.
- Processes loans, deaccessions, and acquisitions; updates and manages the collections database and related policies.
- Leads strategic planning, conservation priorities, and environmental monitoring for collections and historic interiors.
- Conducts research on objects and site history to support exhibitions, tours, and publications.
- Develops and manages the collections and exhibitions budget and writes grants for collections care and interpretation.
- Oversees documentation, rehousing, inventories, and preventive conservation tasks, ensuring professional appearance of galleries and storage.
- Curated diverse collections to enhance visitor engagement and educational opportunities.
- Developed and implemented innovative exhibitions showcasing Belle Meade's history and cultural significance.
- Conducted research on artifacts to enrich public knowledge and understanding of site history.
- Received, photographed, cataloged, researched and prepared objects for display for collection.
Contract Registrar and Art Consultant
Nashville, TN
01.2022 - 09.2023
- Advised private clients on purchasing artwork and building cohesive collections.
- Cataloged works of art and recommended archival storage, display, and conservation options.
- Coordinated with local galleries and museums on art installations, including packing, handling, and basic condition checks.
Curator of Exhibits and Collections; Exhibitions Designer; Associate Professor of Art History
Sullivan Museum at Norwich University
Northfield, VT
01.2014 - 08.2021
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive plan for the permanent collection and led collections policy review.
- Planned and managed exhibitions from concept through installation, collaborating with staff, faculty, artists, and lenders.
- Managed incoming and outgoing loans, as well as traveling exhibitions, including packing, transit, condition reporting, contracts, and insurance.
- Cataloged acquisitions, deaccessions, and loans; maintained databases (PastPerfect, Proficio) and organized collection storage and inventories.
- Responded to research inquiries and provided supervised access to collections.
- Coordinated major collection moves on and off campus and monitored environmental conditions for collections.
- Supported teaching and research by assisting students and faculty, providing tours, and integrating collections into coursework.
- Supervised museum work-study students and served on the university ADA compliance committee.
- Taught college-level Art History, and as Exhibition Designer, fabricated exhibition furniture and mounts using carpentry tools. Responsible for lighting gallery spaces.
- Curated diverse exhibitions, enhancing visitor engagement and educational outreach.
- Managed collections, ensuring preservation and proper documentation of artifacts.
- Collaborated with faculty to integrate museum resources into academic curricula.
Assistant Registrar
Shelburne Museum
Shelburne, VT
06.2007 - 07.2012
- Coordinated domestic and international loans and traveling exhibitions, including shipping, packing, crating, condition reporting, storage, and insurance.
- Cataloged and processed new acquisitions using Mimsy XG and TMS; maintained exhibition and storage records.
- Assisted curators with exhibition installation/de-installation and the care, handling, and movement of loans.
- Helped plan and execute large-scale movements of the 150,000-object permanent collection during various storage renovations.
- Responded to research inquiries and provided supervised access to collections.
- Monitored and maintained exhibition galleries and collection storage; contributed to grants for collections care.
- Coordinated collection management activities to enhance accessibility and preservation of museum artifacts.
- Oversaw registration processes, ensuring accuracy in documentation for incoming and outgoing exhibitions.
- Developed and implemented efficient workflows for cataloging and tracking collections inventory.
- Trained staff on best practices for data entry within collection management systems, improving operational efficiency.
Education
M.A. - Art History
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN05.2006
B.A. - Art History
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN2002
Skills
- Museum Collections Care and Management
- Collections Database Management
- Cataloging, Documentation & Digital Archiving
- Art Handling, Packing & Exhibit Preparation
- Research, Writing & Professional Communication
- Project Management & Collaborative Leadership
Timeline
Curator of Collections and Exhibits
Belle Meade Historic Site
09.2023 - 05.2026
Contract Registrar and Art Consultant
01.2022 - 09.2023
Curator of Exhibits and Collections; Exhibitions Designer; Associate Professor of Art History
Sullivan Museum at Norwich University
01.2014 - 08.2021
Assistant Registrar
Shelburne Museum
06.2007 - 07.2012
M.A. - Art History
University of Memphis
B.A. - Art History
University of Memphis