SEATTLE, WA.- The Frye Art Museum announced the appointment of Michelle Cheng to the newly created role of Director of Education & Community Partnerships, as of August 5, 2019. Prior to joining the Frye, Cheng worked on an award-winning education team at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum as the Manager of Integration-Level Education Programs.

"We are thrilled to add Michelle's strengths to the talented team that comprises the Frye's Education department," says Director/CEO Joseph Rosa. "This new role is not only an opportunity to deepen our commitment to currently thriving initiatives, from school outreach to public programs to our Creative Aging offerings, but also to ignite new and dynamic relationships within our community, re-envisioning the way the Museum builds partnerships, fosters dialogue, and crafts inclusive, relevant programming that furthers our mission."

“The Frye offers such a variety of ways for people of different backgrounds and interests to engage in and connect with art and its transformative power," says Cheng. "I hope to continue to broaden the Museum’s reach and create meaningful educational experiences that invite people to visit for the first time or return for the hundredth time. I am excited to join a passionate and dynamic team and I am looking forward to joining the community here in Seattle, working on projects with, by, and for diverse voices.”

At Cooper Hewitt, Cheng's work to educate, inspire, and empower reached audiences nationwide, engaging everyone from teens to educators to lifelong learners in hands-on experiences that deepened their understanding of design and design thinking. Previously, Cheng served as Director of Education at the New Haven Museum, where she cultivated lasting partnerships that allowed for innovative and interdisciplinary programming to grow while expanding the museum’s presence and reach in the local community. Cheng holds a B.A. in Art History and Comparative Literature from Binghamton University and a M.A. in Art + Design Education from Rhode Island School of Design.