NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Department of Interpretation and Audience Engagement at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) announces the hiring of Nic Brierre Aziz as Community Outreach Coordinator and Jennifer M. Williams as Youth and Family Programs Manager. NOMA’s Department of Development and External Affairs announces the hiring of Jane Wood as Visitor Engagement Manager.
As Community Outreach Coordinator Nic Brierre Aziz leads the museum’s NOMA+ initiative, a portable museum created to bring the NOMA experience to the 72 neighborhoods in Greater New Orleans, connecting residents of all ages and backgrounds to art, and promoting access and inclusion to museums and arts organizations. As native New Orleanian who has had the opportunity to travel extensively across the world, Aziz is very passionate about the impact that written expression and traveling can have on the city’s youth. These passions led him to found WriteBrained – a youth development program that utilizes the power of writing and unique cultural experiences as catalysts for self-discovery. Additionally, Aziz manages the Haitian Cultural Legacy Collection, a collection of over 400 pieces of artwork that was started by his maternal grandfather in 1944. Aziz has contributed to publications such as HuffPost, ESPN.com, and AFROPUNK, and his work has been featured by The Oxford American, The 74 and The Alternative UK. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College and a Master of Science degree from The University of Manchester (UK).
In her role as Youth and Family Programs Manager, Jennifer Williams focuses on developing, implementing, evaluating, and advancing a diverse and comprehensive suite of creative and innovative educational programs and studio classes for families and young audiences that enable participants to explore works of art, discover connections, and work creatively. Before taking on her role at NOMA, Williams most recently served as the Deputy Director for the Public Experience for Prospect.4. Upon her arrival in New Orleans over ten years ago from her hometown of Atlanta, GA, Williams served as an AmeriCorps VISTA, coordinating projects with the Tulane University Center for Public Service. For 6 years, Williams served as the Director and Curator of the George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art. As a visual art curator organizing exhibitions & performances, Williams is committed to contributing to the cultural and artistic landscape in New Orleans. She supports and serves on a variety of art & community committees and boards including Junebug Productions, the New Orleans Photo Alliance, and the Contemporary Art Center’s John Scott Guild. She has participated in and led a variety of experiences around the world, including facilitating discussion groups at the Clinton Global Initiative-U, the Urban Bush Women Leadership Institute in Brooklyn, NY and the Dak’Art Biennial in Dakar, Senegal. Williams received her B.A. in History with a concentration in Art History from Georgia State University.
As Visitor Engagement Manager, Jane Wood’s role at NOMA focuses on designing, implementing and continuously assessing policies and practices that focus on the many aspects of the visitor experience. Prior to joining the NOMA team, Jane managed and directed development for the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art and Portland Design Week. Prior to her roles in development Jane founded and directed Victory Gallery; focused on young contemporary artists from the Netherlands and Germany. Additional associations and collaborations include projects with Blue Sky Gallery, PNCA, Disjecta, Art Basel, Prospect New Orleans and New Orleans Airlift. Wood grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City. She has a Bachelor of Fine Art from Otis College of Art & Design in Los Angeles, and studied Business Administration.
About NOMA and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden
The New Orleans Museum of Art, founded in 1910 by Isaac Delgado, houses nearly 40,000 art objects encompassing 5,000 years of world art. Works from the permanent collection, along with continuously changing special exhibitions, are on view in the museum’s 46 galleries Fridays from 10 AM to 9 PM; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 AM to 6 PM; Saturdays from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sundays from 11 AM to 5 PM. NOMA offers docent-guided tours at 1 PM every Tuesday – Sunday. The adjoining Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden features work by over 60 artists, including several of the 20th century’s master sculptors. The Sculpture Garden is open seven days a week: 9 AM to 6 PM. The New Orleans Museum of Art and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden are fully accessible to handicapped visitors and wheelchairs are available from the front desk. For more information about NOMA, call (504) 658-4100 or visit www.noma.org. Wednesdays are free admission days for Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. Teenagers (ages 13-19) receive free admission every day through the end of the year, courtesy of The Helis Foundation.
For additional information and hi-res images, contact Margaux Krane: 504.658.4106 | mkrane@noma.org