Beth Shea, who has worked with the Illinois State Museum for almost 21 years, will become the new director of the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge on Monday, January 4. She was formerly the education director with the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, supervising the museum’s educational programs, visitor services, and volunteer program.

Shea brings an expertise in creating and implementing museum school and public education programs. She helped create the play-themed children’s area in the lower level of the museum, and has worked on many projects as a member of the museum’s exhibition team. She brings experience in grant writing and in building partnerships with community groups to the Children’s Museum. She has also worked as an education associate at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News.

“The search committee and the museum board found that her experience as a museum professional and her ability to relate to people made her the best choice as new director,” said Tom Beehan, Children’s Museum board president. The search committee conducted a national search during a three-month period to hire the new director, Beehan said, and received applications from a number of good candidates. [Read more…]