UA Museum Exhibits Designer to Lead Western Museums Association

Submitted by Kerynn Fisher
Phone: (907) 474-6941
10/08/02

University of Alaska Museum Exhibition and Design Coordinator Wanda Chin was recently elected to a two-year term as president of the Western Museums Association. As the largest regional affiliate of the American Association of Museums, the Western Museums Association is devoted to the promotion and development of museums of all types and the museum profession in Arizona, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

"The Western Museums Association represents an incredible diversity of interests and expertise from nationally-known museums in major cities to small cultural centers in rural communities," says Chin. "I believe my experience here in Alaska will complement that diversity, and I’m looking forward to serving our region." Chin has already served one term as the Membership-at-Large representative on the WMA board and one term as first vice-president. During that time, she was instrumental in promoting diverse membership and scholarships. The scholarship fund, which supports professional development and museum training at the annual meeting, is now named in her honor.

Chin has served as the Coordinator of Exhibition and Design at the University of Alaska Museum since 1982. In addition to designing exhibits for in-house display and planning for the Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery in the Museum’s expansion, she is currently serving as an advisor to the Inupiat Heritage Center in Barrow and a new cultural heritage center on St. Paul Island to develop their exhibits and interpretive programs.

For more information, contact Kerynn Fisher, Communications Coordinator, University of Alaska Museum, at (907) 474-6941.