SEATTLE, July 2, 2019—After an extensive two-year search, The Museum of Flight today announced that Matthew R. Burchette will assume the role of its Senior Curator effective Sept. 3, 2019. Burchette is currently Curator for Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver, Colo., a position he has held since 2005.
In making the announcement, The Museum of Flight President and CEO Matt Hayes said “The Museum interviewed many qualified candidates from around the country to get to this point. Matthew has the right combination of curatorial and subject matter expertise, passion, and energy. Matthew is also a well-respected speaker and media figure, hosting his own YouTube video blog that was recently picked up by PBS. The video series has a sizeable following on social media and we look forward to tapping into Matthew’s many talents. We feel very fortunate that he will be part of The Museum’s Senior Leadership Team.”
During his tenure at Wings over the Rockies, Burchette cared for all of the institution’s artifacts, including over 50 historic aircraft. He also participated in grant writing, created two traveling exhibits and was a key member of the Museum’s speakers' bureau. Prior to his role at Wings Over the Rockies, Burchette held the position of Education Director and Assistant Curator at the Lone Star Flight Museum then in Galveston, Texas.
As Senior Curator of The Museum of Flight, Burchette will serve as the academic leader and aerospace subject matter expert for the Museum while providing curatorial guidance across Museum departments. He will be the key spokesperson for the Museum and its collection.
Burchette will also collaborate with the Director of Collections to establish future collecting strategies and policies, including those for the processing, collecting and digitizing of projects based on the significance of collection materials. He will increase the visibility of the collection through outreach activities and ensure that the Museum’s collection is developing to meet the needs of the patron-base and in line with American Alliance of Museums’ best practices and industry standards.
As Senior Curator he will ensure the intellectual integrity of the Museum’s exhibits by collaborating with the Exhibits Department to devise and develop new exhibits and act as a liaison between the two departments. Burchette will also collaborate with the Director of Aircraft Collections and Restoration, and the Director of Collections, to evolve conservation and restoration guidelines to preserve and restore the authenticity of each aircraft and spacecraft to museum quality.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:Ted Huetter/Senior Public Relations Manager
T: 206.768.7105 C: 206.455.5360 Email: thuetter@museumofflight.org
