CORNING, NY.- The Rockwell Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate in Corning, NY announced the addition of Amanda Lett to its team as the new Curator of Collections and Exhibitions. With her extensive experience and deep passion for art, Lett is set to play a pivotal role in shaping The Rockwell’s future exhibitions, enhancing its ever-evolving collection and programs, and cultivating community connections.
Amanda completed her PhD at Boston University in American art in 2019. Since 2019, Amanda has served a curatorial assistant in the American Painting and Sculpture department at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. While there, she has been involved in exhibition interpretation for both the permanent American galleries as well as special exhibitions. She was also a member of the cross-departmental team who worked on a redesign and reinstallation of the permanent American collection in advance of the reopening of the museum after its most recent expansion in 2020.
Her other experience includes work as a guest curator at the Worcester Art Museum; serving as a graduate research intern at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; a position as a curatorial assistant at the Boston University Art Gallery; and a stint at Gilcrease, one of The Rockwell’s Museums West sister institutions, as their registrar. Amanda also has extensive experience as an educator at the university level, numerous publications, and a lengthy list of exhibitions she has curated or to which she contributed.
"The search committee was impressed not only with Amanda’s educational background and experience, but also with her collaborative approach, demonstrated leadership skills and dedication to education," says Brian Lee Whisenhunt, executive director at The Rockwell Museum. “Likewise, her commitment to promoting diverse artistic perspectives aligns so well with the Museum's mission. We believe that Amanda will play a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections between our visitors and the artworks we present."
Lett's role at The Rockwell Museum will encompass a wide range of responsibilities, from researching and acquiring new artworks to designing exhibitions that resonate with the museum's diverse audience. Her commitment to inclusivity and representation will bring fresh perspectives to the Museum's programming and galleries. As The Rockwell approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026, much of Lett’s work in the next few years will focus on leading the reinterpretation and reinstallation of the Museum’s permanent collection, as well as introducing a new published guide to collections. She will also kick off the Museum’s lecture series in 2024 with a talked focused on her dissertation, Valuable Paper and Counterfeit Presentments: Alfred Jones, the American Art-Union, and Antebellum Bank Note Engraving. Rockwell Members will be invited to a post-lecture reception to meet and mingle with the new curator.
"I am so happy to join the Rockwell. It is such a gem of a museum,” said Amanda Lett. “I am very inspired by the creativity and dedication to the community that the team brings to all of their projects, and am excited to see what the future holds here.”
Amanda Lett's appointment comes at an exciting time for The Rockwell Museum as it continues to evolve as a dynamic cultural hub. Her expertise and community-minded approach will undoubtedly shape the museum's future exhibitions and enhance its reputation as a destination for art enthusiasts, scholars, and visitors of all ages.
