BIRMINGHAM, AL.- The Birmingham Museum of Art announces Rachel White as its new Curator of Education. White previously served as Assistant Curator of Education at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga and joined the Museum on May 30.

Each year, the Museum produces numerous public educational programs and develops various interpretive materials for its encyclopedic collection of more than 27,000 objects. In her new role, White will oversee the development, implementation, and management of the Museum’s education initiatives, alongside a team of six colleagues, and numerous docents and volunteers. She will design and lead the Museum’s interpretive strategies that align with the BMA mission and vision.

“In this age of technology, the ways people enjoy and learn about art are changing, and we look forward to the energy and leadership Rachel will bring to our department of education as we rethink our approaches to art interpretation and accessibility,” says Gail Andrews, R. Hugh Daniel Director of the Birmingham Museum of Art. “Rachel’s extensive academic, in-gallery, and programming experience will be invaluable for advancing our continued commitment to increased visitor engagement.”

As Assistant Curator of Education at the Hunter Museum of American Art, White developed and led object-based gallery teaching for docent training and visitor tours. She also created and implemented museum programming; and collaborated with the curatorial department on gallery interpretation strategies. Prior to the Hunter, White served as Research Assistant and Education Coordinator at the Krannert Art Museum on the campus of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she created collection and exhibition-based lesson plans and study guides; designed student and adult tours; and organized classroom and community visits. In addition, her research positions, including internships at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., have given her broad exposure to museum education operations across the field.

White graduated ​summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a B.A. in English in 2004. She earned her M.A. in Art History from The George Washington University, and she is a Ph.D. Candidate in Art History at the University Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.