Exploring and Dwelling in the Museum Through Walking Self Portraits

In collaboration with Catalina Hernández Cabal and Ahu Yolaç, this creativity workshop encouraged participants to inhabit the museum in a variety of ways. We placed ourselves in dialogue with art and explored relationships between the museum and self. 

Art in Early Childhood

I taught "Art in Early Childhood" at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the fall semester of 2019. My students engaged with artworks in the museum at the beginning of the semester using a printed guide. At the end of the semester, I arranged for them to experience a tour designed for PreK - 2nd graders - as if they were that age! They enjoyed the experience, enacted the part, and then were able to reflect on how their future early childhood students may experience artworks.

Empire Township Historical Museum

In a small town in Illinois, I became involved as a volunteer at the local museum. They were in the process of getting new display furniture and redesigning their exhibits. I worked in collaboration to help bring it together 

Collaboration with Dixon Gallery & Gardens

Back in the role of art teacher, I had the opportunity to work in collaboration with museum educators at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens to engage fifth graders in contemporary artworks and practices.

Positioning Your Museum as a Critical Community Asset

November 2016

My essay "Communities Making Meaning in Museum Education" introduces Part 1 with practical examples on building strong educational resources in museums.

2016 Wacky Wednesday

Summer 2016

Responsible for the coordination of educational materials, volunteers, studio instructor, and  activities for 2016 Wacky Wednesdays.

Memphis Emerging Museum Professionals

July 2016

Co-Founder of Memphis Chapter of Emerging Museum Professionals

Contempoarary Art Community Day

July 8, 2016

I planned and implemented the Contemporary Art Community Day event at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art including scheduling performances, volunteers, vendors, and art making activities.

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Performances:
Jonatan Derbaq - Brasilian/American Oudist and Mid-Eastern Style Percussionist
Collage Dance Collective
Siphne Aaye - DJ

Food Trucks:
Parker’s Water Ice
Stick ‘Ems

Art-Making:
Interactive Family Guide
Pocket Rockstars! Sew-a-Stuffie
Moroccan Pattern Designs

Party for the Century

May 7, 2016

I was one of the lead planners for the Brooks Museum of Art centennial celebration, Party for the Century which included scheduling performers, vendors, volunteers, planning art making activities, logistics, safety, building community and celebrating the oldest art museum in Tennessee.

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INDOOR Performance Schedule:

12:00-3:00 Special appearance by Bessie Vance Brooks! (actress Patty Carreras)

12:00    Opera Memphis  

12:20    Pop-up Art 

12:30    Ekpe Abioto African Drumming 

12:50    Pop-up Art Discussion    

1:00      Memphis Symphony    

1:00     Yoga

2:00     Party for the Century  Outdoor Main Stage

3:00 Ballet Memphis

3:00 Figure Drawing

3:30 Memphis Breakers

3:50 Pop-up Art Discussion

4:00 IRIS Orchestra

4:20 Pop-up Art Discussion

4:30 Voices of the South

5:00 Hattiloo Theatre

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MAIN STAGE Performance Schedule

12:00 DJ Waht
1:00 Playhouse on the Square

selections from Memphis the Musical 1:30 DJ Waht

2:00 PARTY FOR THE CENTURY

Remarks:

• -  Lisa Kranc, Museum President

• -  Emily Ne , Executive Director

  Happy Birthday Song by Joyce Cobb

  Samba Drum Performance by UT Martin Percussion

  Confetti sponsored by EventPro Lighting & Equipment

  Have a bite of birthday cake!

2:30 Joyce Cobb
4:00 DJ Waht
4:30 New Ballet Ensemble (on 1916 Plaza)
5:00 Bo Keys featuring Percy Wiggins and Don Bryant 6:00 High Expectations

Inside Art Family Guide

Spring 2016

I was a co-writer on the family guide for Inside Art, a permanent interactive exhibit at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art designed to grow families into confident art explorers through visual literacy.

Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition

January 30, 2016

I worked behind the scenes with the Education Department at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to manage the details of the 2016 Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards exhibition.

Wonder Whimsy Wild: Folk Art In America Community Day

January 30, 2016

With the education team, I planned and implemented artmaking activities, artists demonstrations, live music, and living artwork inspired by the exhibition Wonder, Whimsy, Wild: Folk Art in America at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

Día de Muertos Community Day

November 07, 2015

With the help and planning of the Education Department, I implemented the exciting Día de Muertos Community Day, an event filled with music, hands-on art, live performances, a community altar, and much more at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

Purchased Lives: The American Slave Trade from 1808 and 1865

I oversaw the initial contracting and scheduling of the exhibition Purchased Lives: The American Slave Trade from 1808 and 1865 at the National Civil Rights Museum and lead efforts in coordinating with The Historic New Orleans Collection and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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Image:

​Slave Auction; ca. 1831; ink and watercolor; The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1941.3

Gandhi-King Conference 2016 Committee

As the Interim Director of Education, Interpretation, and Collections at the National Civil Rights Museum, I represented the museum's education department during on the planning committee for the 2016 Gandhi-King Conference.

Inspiring Greatness Through Words and Deeds

I oversaw contracting, shipping, and scheduling for the exhibition Inspiring Greatness Through Words and DeedsInspiring Greatness Through Words and Deeds at the National Civil Rights Museum.

Image: 

MLK, Jr. – “I Have a Dream”, 2007

Baret Boisson

Acrylic and glitter on canvas

60 x 72 inches

Courtesy of the Artist

Promised gift to the National Civil Rights Museum

Dave Brubeck: Jazz Ambassador

I coordinated with The Brubeck Institute on contracts and scheduling the exhibition Dave Brubeck: Jazz Ambassador at the National Civil Rights Museum. The exhibition was on display during the Memphis Jazz Festival in Spring 2016.

Kin Killin' Kin

I oversaw the contracts and scheduling for the exhibition Kin Killin' Kin at the National Civil Rights Museum.

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Image: 

Your History II

Charcoal, 30″ x 40″
Collectionof Arthur Primas

Cultural Heroes

I oversaw the contracts and scheduling for the exhibition Cultural Heroes at the National Civil Rights Museum.

Public Forum 2015

October 2015

As Interim Director of Education, Interpretation, and Collections at the National Civil Rights Museum, I represented the museums education department and was the lead organizer of educational activities and collateral materials for the annual Freedom Award, including the Public Forum. 

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In 2015, I implemented a new format (the Roundtable Discussion) for interaction between Freedom Award honorees and middle and high school student attendees of the Public Forum.

Teacher Effectiveness Data Exhibition

September 2015

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Oversaw the installation and contracts of the exhibition highlighting Teacher Effectiveness Data as well as coordinated with Shelby County Schools on the exhibition reception and discussion event at the National Civil Rights Museum.

A Heritage Preserved: African American Art from the Elliot and Kimberly Perry Collection

August - November 2015

I oversaw the contracts, installation, and lead in writing the interpretive text for the exhibition A Heritage Preserved: African American Art from the Elliot and Kimberly Perry Collection. 

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A Heritage Preserved: African American Art from the Elliot and Kimberly Perry Collection is an exhibition of master artworks that capture traditions, achievements, and beliefs that are a part of the African American experience. A Heritage Preserved highlights the importance of collecting and exhibiting artworks to continue legacies.

Host Committee Member and Moderator/Presenter 2015 AAAM

August 04, 2015

Creating Connections: Collaboration Between Museums and Schools

Combining the opportunities for formal classroom learning and informal, exploratory museum learning, these museums have relied on their collections, historical content, and purpose-driven mission statements to create custom learning opportunities for students. Through these unique collaborations history becomes more relevant and meaningful. Moderator: Jody Stokes-Casey, Education Coordinator, National Civil Rights Museum. Panelists: Nur Abdalla, Graduate Assistant, C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa; Lyndsey Pender, Student, University of Memphis (Intern C. H. Nash Museum); Michelle Craig, Coordinator of Youth Programs, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Jazz & Blues

Oversaw interpretation, installation, contracts, and opening reception for exhibition Jazz & Blues: Threads of American Music artworks by Leanna Leithauser Lesley at the National Civil Rights Museum.

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Opening reception June 15, 2016

Music performance by Hope Clayburn and Soul Scrimmage 

Kettering Foundation Learning Exchange

I participated in three learning exchanges in Dayton, Ohio and Washington D.C. with Kettering Foundation to begin construction on  a Historic Decisions guide for the National Civil Rights Museum. 

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Our Historic Decision would be placed in August 1965 after the Voting Rights Act had been passed and present options on where to go from there to include the Black Power Movement, the Poor People's Campaign, and other community-generated options.

The museum hosted a community research panel with the Memphis Police Department  and citizens to generate ideas and concerns.

MLK Preparatory High School

I lead a collaborative partnership with the National Civil Rights Museum and Martin Luther King, Jr. Preparatory High School in the Frayser community of Memphis, Tn.

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I created a curriculum around the museum's exhibitions and the theme of Economic Justice, lead teacher training and tours, coordinated tours for the students, did radio interviews, provided materials for a day of service, and evaluated the program.

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Results and more information are available below.

Museum Workers Speak

Attended first official meeting of Museum Workers Speak, an informal session during the American Alliance of Museums conference 2015 in Atlanta

Tennessee Association of Museums 2015 Conference

March 06, 2015

A Potluck of Community Learning: The National Civil Rights Museum Links Education & Cultural Center

The Links Education and Cultural Center is a space within the newly re-designed National Civil Rights Museum. Since the April 2014 reopening, the Links Center has played a vital role in establishing partnerships and broadening programming at the Museum. Partnerships have included MidSouth Peace and Justice, Life Skills Workshops through Links, Inc. Leadership Academy, the Guidance Academy of True Enrichment, and more. The Center has also been the host site of teacher training initiatives. Further, the NCRM Education Department is reaching beyond the walls of the Museum and into local classrooms. This session will highlight the potluck of mission-driven partnerships between the National Civil Rights Museum and its community. Speakers: Jody Stokes-Casey, Education Coordinator, National Civil Rights Museum

Join the Movement: Find Your Match in Local Activism

May 2015

I coordinated this event as a activism fair for local groups to share their work and for community members to join their organizations.

Organizations represented included:

Benjamin L. Hooks Center for Social Change

HOPE - Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality

Memphis Area Women's Council

Memphis Bus Riders Union

Memphis Center for Independent Living

Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center

Memphis United

MidSouth Peace and Justice Center

Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA)

NAACP - Memphis Branch and NAACP Youth Council

Our Students Matter Now

Setting the Standard Enterprise

Show Me $15 Campaign / Memph 15 Organization

SisterReach 

Southern Christian Leadership Conference - Memphis Chapter

United Campus Workers - Communications Workers of America Local 3865

United Opt Out / Break Free From Testing

Workers Interfaith Network

Music in the Movement

I organized the panel discussion, wrote, and lead the tour for Music in the Movement.

When: Thursday, October 9, 2014, 6:00pm
Where: National Civil Rights Museum, Hooks Hyde Hall
Cost: FREE for Members – $10 Non-Members, Family and Group Rates Available

Listen to music that inspired action, shared coded messages, and raised spirits of people in the Movement featuring music from African Polyrhythms to James Brown Funk. Unique stories behind freedom songs are interpreted in the museum experience. The evening will include a brief museum tour that shows how music influenced episodes of the civil rights movement over time, followed by panel discussion and live music.

GUEST PANELISTS:

• Dr. Earnestine Jenkins, Professor of Art History and the African Diaspora, University of Memphis

• Levon Williams, Curator of Collections and Registrar at STAX Museum of American Soul Music

• Dr. Eddie Yancey, History Professor at the University of Memphis

Douglass High School, Memphis

January 15, 2014

The Public Service and Communication Arts Optional Ambassadors toured the National Civil Rights Museum as their January Lead Out. The Lead In was a presentation facilitated by Ms. Jody Stokes-Casey, Education Coordinator at the museum. The students enjoyed an interactive tour of the rich heritage of our country. The students, many of whom visited the Malco Paradiso to view Selma with the Social Studies Department, have spent the entire month of January engaged in serious dialogue on the topics of race, heritage, public policy, and civil rights. 

Courage in the Civil Rights Movement: A Resource for Educators

As the primary author, my goal of this resource was to provide a model for teachers including ways to use the National Civil Rights Museum exhibition spaces and history of the movement to enrich their classrooms and to create a resource for teachers to facilitate discussion, encourage student dialogue, increase understanding, and promote courageous action.

2015 King Day Marching to Freedom

Responsible for all education activities, assigning volunteer tasks, and coordinating performers for the 2015 King Day celebration at the National Civil Rights Museum. The event draws approximately 2-3,000 people each year.

National Voter Registration Day

When: Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 11:00am-7:00pm
Where: Links Education Center, Mulberry Street
Cost: FREE – It’s your right!

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The Museum exhibits document how so many fought, bled, and died for the right to vote. Let’s make sure their sacrifice is not in vain, especially as next year we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. With so many important elections being held, millions of people registered to vote on National Voter Registration Day, September 23. National Voter Registration Day was first started for the 2012 presidential election. It has now become an annual holiday and celebration when thousands of people ensure our family, friends and neighbors are registered to vote. For more information, contact Jody Stokes-Casey at (901) 521-9699 x2289.

For Civil Rights Museum, more student engagement is part of new design

July 10, 2014

A group of white-gloved librarians and teachers recently huddled around a table at the National Civil Rights Museum, examining artifacts of unknown origin — at least, unknown to them.

They were at the museum’s inaugural teacher institute this week to learn how to better use the museum as an educational resource for their students, as well as teach museum administrators how to be more responsive to new curriculums and standards.

“I wanted to ask teachers how the museum can be applied in their classrooms, because they know their classrooms better than I do,” the museum’s education coordinator Jody Stokes-Casey said...

Communities: Art with an Agenda

This guide serves 9th thru 12th grade students using the permanent collection of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and the enduring idea of communities: art with an agenda.

Students examine artworks to discuss how some artists use their work to stimulate social change. In the studio, students create a broadside to promote awareness of a community issue.

I created this guide during an internship.

Communities: The Role of the Artist

This education resource is geared toward teachers of 5th - 8th grades and highlights the permanent collection of the Brooks Museum of Art through the theme of communities, emphasizing the role of the artist.

Students explore artworks throughout the museum to discover the role of artists in communities throughout the world. In the studio, students create an original book that demonstrates the role of artists in Memphis.

I created this guide during an internship.

Exhibitions Intern Jody Stokes-Casey Talks School, Text and Themes at the Brooks

October 12, 2013

For the next few weeks, I will have the pleasure of working in some incredible galleries at the Brooks museum. I am an art history graduate student at the University of Memphis and am enrolled in a museum studies certification program through the university. As part of a course, I have been assigned to work with a museum in the creation of a product that will benefit not only my learning, but also the institution for which the product is created. I knew from the early stages of the assignment that I wanted to work with the Brooks Museum. It is a magical place of culture, art, and education (and need I mention the amazing cuisine at the Brushmark). I have visited the museum on a number of previous occasions mostly in conjunction with the Tennessee Art Education Association (my background is in art education at the middle and high school levels) but also on my own a time or two. Now that I am living in Memphis, I wanted to take the opportunity of my class assignment to really study with and learn from this enchanting institution.

What is the project?

Throughout the next six weeks or so, I will be working to help the Brooks Museum with the standardization of the artwork labels in particular the labels in the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque galleries. Basically, I’ll be condensing some of the information on longer labels into a more visitor-friendly format. The other challenging aspect of the project is drafting text panels to explain the theme of each gallery.

I am looking forward to the challenge of this project and am reading up on best practices in the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) Gallery Text guide and Beverly Serrell’s Exhibit Labels. I hope that through the project I will be able to experience some behind the scenes museum work and that the Brooks will benefit from a job well done. Now, on with the research!

-Jody Stokes-Casey

Museum Advocacy as a Year Round Activity

August 10, 2013

Increasing advocacy efforts at the Discovery Museum of West Tennessee

by Jody Stokes-Casey

The purpose of this proposal is to make suggestions for advocacy programs that will increase awareness of elected officials and visitors from both the city of Jackson and the state of Tennessee about the contributions of the Discovery Museum of West Tennessee as an educational asset to the community...