SHELBURNE, VT.- Shelburne Museum announced Jason Vrooman as Stiller Family Foundation Director of Education. He joins Shelburne from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, where he was Chief Curator and Director of Engagement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Middlebury College Museum of Art.
Jason is an engaged and a highly experienced museum educator who joins Shelburne Museum at an exciting time as museums reflect on relevance and reinvigoration in educational programming in the post-pandemic world, said Thomas Denenberg, John Wilmerding Director of Shelburne Museum. I have long admired Jasons work, and Im pleased to welcome him to Shelburne Museum.
At Middlebury Vrooman held two posts, most recently as Chief Curator and Director of Engagement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and, prior to that, as Curator of Education and Academic Programs. In his role leading education and academic programs, Vrooman partnered with faculty across the curriculum to incorporate art into their syllabi, led trainings and tours for local K-12 teachers and students, expanded access to and diversified membership in Middleburys student museum guide program, and promoted physical accessibility. He also developed an internship program preparing students for ethical and equitable careers in the arts. Among his duties as Chief Curator, he spearheaded new acquisitions, curated exhibitions, and chaired the committee charged with reinstalling Middlebury's permanent collection galleries to be more global and inclusive.
I am thrilled to join Shelburne Museums dynamic team at this time of growth, Vrooman said. I believe deeply in arts ability to spark joy, deep personal reflection about our place in the world, and meaningful conversations between people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Shelburnes efforts to promote diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging are impressive; I look forward to supporting this work by striving to ensure that all visitors feel welcome when connecting with the museums incredible collections, exhibitions, grounds, and programs.
Vrooman holds his Ph.D. from New York Universitys Institute of Fine Arts, an M.A. from the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art and a bachelors from Middlebury College.