Kara Zelasko, MA

Experience

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  Chicago History Museum

  Aug 2013 - Dec 2013

  Student Intern

  - Generated potential ideas for the museum’s blog - Conducted and transcribed interviews with members of different Chicago communities- Wrote and collaborated with team members to create blog posts

• 

  Frances Willard Historical Association

  Apr 2014 - Sept 2014

  Intern

  - Reviewed, edited, tagged, and proofed database of transcripts for online archive of Willard’s journals- Researched Frances Willard and Evanston local history using primary and secondary sources - Created a Twitter feed highlighting Evanston community events and Frances Willard history- Responsible for the social media content in the Twitter feed

• 

  Uncle Dan's

  Nov 2014 - Jun 2015

  Sales Associate

  - Established and maintained relationships with clients- Responsible for knowledge of multiple brands and technical aspects of outdoor apparel and equipment- Created and organized merchandise displays- Worked as an individual and team member to achieve sale goals and win contests

• 

  Everything But The House

  Oct 2015 - Jun 2018

  Researcher and Cataloger Lead

  • Performed research using digital references, secondary source materials, expert contacts, and other resources.• Crafted hundreds of written descriptions for auction items.• Stayed current on values and trends for antique and vintage items.• Organized, lotted, and monitored auction items for multiple sellers within a project management system.

• 

  Humanities Action Lab

  Jan 2017 - May 2018

  Committee Member and Exhibition Coordinator

  - Installed the panels and digital components for the States of Incarceration traveling exhibition - Supervised the installation and de-installation of the exhibition- Planned the opening event and the "Mass Incarceration" conference to coincide with the exhibition opening

• 

  Chicago History Museum

  May 2017 - Aug 2017

  Costume and Textile Collection Collections Intern

  - Organized, researched, photographed, and handled the costume and textile collection- Updated The Museum System records to reflect the current state of the collection- Prepared and executed the de-installation of the Making Mainbocher exhibition

• 

  Mount Auburn Cemetery

  Sept 2017 - Jan 2018

  Project Assistant

  - Organized the digitization events, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities- Recorded oral histories from members of Boston communities- Aided in the digitization and preservation of two-dimensional objects- Educated attendees about preservation techniques for personal archives- Wrote a blog post for Mount Auburn about the experience

• 

  Northeastern University

  Sept 2017 - Mar 2018

  - Reviewed submissions for the conference and contacted chosen presenters - Created the schedule for the two-day conference- Organized and budgeted for conference supplies, catering, and additional fees- Advocated for inclusion of public history and digital history presentations at the conference - Performed research on the history of African American experience in the Massachusetts Court System- Edited the pre-existing exhibition script before final fabrication of the exhibition at the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse

  • Committee Member and Public History Chair for the 2018 Northeastern World History Conference

    Jun 2017 - Mar 2018

  • Exhibition Script Editor

    Sept 2017 - Oct 2017
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  WGBH

  Oct 2017 - Mar 2018

  Digital Exhibitions Intern

  - Cataloged records for the American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB) using PBCore metadata standards- Curated audio, video, and photographs and performed research to explore the intersection of historic preservation and public broadcasting - Created and uploaded the script, records, and photographs using Github for the final exhibition- Contributed a forthcoming blog post for the Library of Congress about curating a digital exhibition

• 

  Meridian International Center

  Oct 2018 - now

  Associate Cultural Programs Officer

  • Supports the development of historical and contemporary art traveling exhibitions through research, curation, writing, licensing, and editing • Collaborates with stakeholders such as U.S. Embassies, scholars, lenders, and graphic designers to meet exhibition project goals• Researches and creates written materials for grant opportunities, such as federal and foreign governments in addition to private sector grant proposals• Arranges program logistics, including domestic flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and cultural events while staying within budget limits• Works closely with other divisions and organizational leadership to cultivate and retain Meridian Council members• Sits on task forces dedicated to equity, inclusion, and diversity and historic preservation of the campus• Supervises MCCD interns and fellows Show less