Executive Director, Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures/Instructor
Museum Studies
Office Location: Schingoethe Center, Dunham Hall
Telephone: 630-844-7844
Fax: 630-844-6529
Email Address: mbero@aurora.edu
In 1996 I joined the Aurora University community where I was able to merge my two life-long passions: museums and art into one wonderful job! My experiences in art include being an artist and an art educator. My museum experiences include employment at museums both large and small, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in N.Y. and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. I began my career in the Schingoethe Museum as curator of education and have subsequently held positions as chief curator, artist-in residence, and executive director. Some of the highlights of my career include the Illinois Museum Educator of the year award and several awards for my curation and educational programming. In my current position as executive director, I conceive and plan all exhibits and public programs for the museum and AU's Schingoethe Art Gallery. Museums are places of wonder where objects reveal their histories and meaning as we observe and contemplate. I hope through the museum studies program that students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of museums and become not only life-long museum visitors but future museum curators, and directors.
Education:
Museum Studies course work at Northwestern University, Chicago
Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb
M.A. - Teaching, Aurora University
B.A. - Art Education, University of Missouri, Columbia
Areas of Specialization
Art Education
Native American Art
Museum Studies
Courses Taught
Introduction to Museum Studies
Museum Exhibitions
Introduction to Native American Spirituality
Introduction to Native American Art
Highlights of Publications, Honors and Professional Contributions:
1999 Illinois Museum Art Educator of the Year
2003 Illinois State Historical Society Award of Superior Achievement: Educational Programming
2003 Illinois State Historical Society Award of Superior Achievement: Exhibit Curation
2003 Illinois Association of Museums Award of Excellence: Curation and Exhibit Designs
2002 Illinois Association of Museums Award of Superior Achievement: Exhibit Curation
2006 Who's Who in America, Who's Who of American Women
Other Interests
Collecting American antiques and folk art
Gardening
Visiting museums
