Running a museum takes a whole team of professionals whose different skills help make the Rubin Museum of Art one of the premiere places to visit. To get to know us a little more, and to explore different careers in the arts, each month we will be asking a Museum staffer/intern to answer six questions about their position at the Museum, their favorite artworks or exhibitions on display in the museum and other personal attributes. For the tenth installment of we’re going to be introduced to Emilie Dufour, Membership Coordinator!
Emilie Dufour (Left) Membership Coordinator
RMA: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at the Rubin Museum.
I am the Membership Coordinator here which means that I am the friendly face of membership and the point person for all of our members!
RMA: Where are you originally from and how did you end up at the Rubin?
Throughout the years I have called many places home including France, Mexico and currently Brooklyn! I am from all over the place but through my family I have always had a close connection to the region.
RMA: What are some recent, upcoming or current projects you are working on at the museum?
I am always working on finding exciting ways to keep our members involved but especially we are trying to make our Tenth Anniversary fantastic! We are also working on our next membership event for the exhibition, Allegory and Illusion: Early Portrait Photography from South Asia in November. Become a Member and attend!
RMA: Out of all the current exhibitions at the Rubin Museum, which one is your favorite?
I’m was really looking forward to the exhibition Count Your Blessings: The Art of Prayer Beads in Asia since I have an awesome collection of malas! But I am particularly fond of our new Shrine Room in the Gateway to Himalayan Art exhibition!
RMA: What’s the most interesting or unusual thing you’ve experienced working at the Rubin Museum?
At our Chairman’s Circle dinner we had aerialist perform from the spiral staircase in celebration of our exhibition, Hero, Villain, Yeti. It was terrifying and incredible at the same time.
Green Lama at the Rubin Museum of Art
RMA: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to follow the same career path?
Talk to everyone you meet, you never know what their interest may be!
RMA: What do you do when you are not at the Rubin Museum?
I actually work part time at Christies to keep up with what’s going on in the rest of the art world. I usually work with priceless works of art and artifacts which is one of the best parts! Feel free to find me in the galleries on the weekends!
RMA: If you could travel anywhere in the Himalayas where would you go and why?
Dharamsala- No Explanation needed really! Just look at that picture!
