Claire Sullivan

About Claire Sullivan

I\'m a soon to be graduating senior at Smith College with a passion for material culture, museum work, and libraries. Through several internships over the past few years, I’ve gained hands-on experience in collections management, object handling, curatorial research, and exhibition design. At Smith, I’ve worked across the collegiate library system, handling everything from rare books to artist publications and ephemera, and have become adept at navigating archival materials, digitization processes, and metadata systems like PastPerfect and TMS. I currently serve as the Editor-in-Chief of Smith’s yearbook; in this role I oversee the budget management, organization, and design of the 200+ page annual publication. My background combines strong research and writing skills with creative design training (including InDesign and letterpress printing), as well as a growing fluency in digital preservation tools. Next year I will attend Aberystwyth University, to pursue a Master’s in Library and Information Science. After graduation, I hope to return to a library or museum setting where I can continue supporting the preservation and interpretation of historical materials.

Experience

1. Collections and Curatorial Intern

   Memorial Hall Museum Inc

   Sep 2024 — Present · Deerfield, MA, US

   I gained extensive experience in curatorial work, collections management, and exhibition planning. I accessioned and cataloged a range of materials, from family photographs, WWII artifacts, to archival items, while updating and maintaining their records in PastPerfect. I digitized historical collections, assisted with exhibition design, including the refresh of the Allen Sisters\' photography hallway and Schoolroom exhibit. My responsibilities also included researching objects, writing label copy, rehousing collections, and supporting the museum’s social media and fundraising efforts. Additionally, I gathered valuable insights about the complexities of working in a small museum context, especially the NAGPRA process. I also obtained hands-on knowledge in museum operations, from digitization and object photography to gallery maintenance and community outreach.

Education

• Prifysgol Aberystwyth University

  Master of Arts - MA, Library and Information Science