Key West Native Kristy Callaway Named Key West Art & Historical Society’s New Director of Education
Key West native Kristy Callaway has taken the reins as the new director of education for Key West Art & Historical Society, aligning her extensive career history with the organization’s mission of enhancing community involvement around its various programs that educate and entertain visitors and locals about Key West’s art, architecture, and history while setting her sights on strengthening their international significance.
With a bevy of experience curating arts and educational partnerships, to say that Callaway is qualified is an understatement.
Her bona fides include a BA in art history and criticism from Florida State University, an MA in the arts in teaching, public administration, and gifted and talented education from the University of South Carolina, College of Charleston, and Converse College. Her career experience includes: Director for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment with the Beaufort County School District; Public Art Fund Manager for the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, Hilton Head, SC; an expert consultant for American Girl® Dolls; Executive Director for Arts Schools Network (a non-profit association dedicated to providing leaders in arts schools with quality resources, support, and networking opportunities); and most recently, the Gifted program teacher at Poinciana Elementary School.
Callaway’s board involvement includes Florida Alliance for Arts Education; SC Arts Alliance; SC Alliance for Arts Education; Arts in the Basic Curriculum Project; and The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education National Leadership Committee. She also served on the Americans for the Arts Education Advisory Council and the Arts Education Policy Review Journal.
“Given the depth of Kristy’s past experiences in art, history, and education, the Society looks forward to the new directions she will take the organization’s Education Department,” says Executive Director Michael Gieda.
In her new role with Key West Art & Historical Society, Callaway will “study the successful current programming” that supports diverse groups of all ages— the Distinguished Speaker Series, Historic Walking Tours, Harbor Tours, educational programming for schools aligned to state and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) standards, ArtCamp!, Parent & Me and children’s educational programs at the Civil War-era Fort East Martello, and school outreach programs— while “seeking new leverage points to build upon” and implementing a range of new initiatives.
“My entire career has focused on arts and education and has afforded me many experiences in cultivating the culture of a place, elevating its significance, and expanding access and awareness of the treasures of history,” she says. “With the Society’s magnificent properties and curation, we can plan a robust, long-term, multi-tiered, educational engagement continuum for our community.”
Key West Art & Historical Society’s educational programming is generously supported by Helmerich Trust. For more information or to contribute your tax-deductible donation to these programs, contact at 305-295-6616 or visit kwahs.org.
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