The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Names Lance Wheeler as Director of Exhibitions
A published historian and public community curator, Wheeler brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working with civil rights and community-focused organizations
ATLANTA, GA (June 30, 2021) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (The Center) welcomes Lance Wheeler as its new Director of Exhibitions. Working with Dr. Calinda Lee, Head of Programs & Exhibitions, Wheeler will focus on developing the institution’s curatorial vision. As caretaker for The Center’s permanent and temporary exhibitions, Wheeler will create dynamic, aesthetically engaging displays that reflect The Center’s mission.
“I want to curate opportunities for all who enter to leave with something impactful. This journey should be spiritual; a visitor should have dialogue, spoken and unspoken, with the physical space,” said Wheeler. “Artifacts are living and breathing things. They carry with them stories both told and untold. My ultimate goal as Director of Exhibitions for NCCHR is to establish an experience where visitors feel like the most essential piece to the puzzle—it is the visitor that makes any exhibition come most alive.”
Wheeler has worked with a number of community-focused and civil rights organizations such as the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute. He also participated as a thought leader for the National Day of Racial Healing for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where he discussed the vital therapeutic role museums have in communities.
Currently, Lance serves on the council for the Southeastern Museum Conference and is the Committee Chair for Emerging Museum Professionals for the Association of African American Museums. Lance is also an active member of the American Association for State and Local History. He is published in the Museological Review and Inside Southeastern Museum Conference.
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About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta is a cultural institution that connects the American Civil Rights Movement to the struggle for human rights around the world today. The Center features a continuously rotating exhibit from The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, which includes many of Dr. King’s documents and personal items. Visitors will be immersed in experiential exhibits through powerful and authentic stories, historic documents, compelling artifacts, and interactive activities. The Center is a source for ongoing dialogue — hosting educational forums and attracting world-renowned speakers and artists who work on a variety of human rights topics. For more information, visit www.civilandhumanrights.org. Join the conversation on civil and human rights: facebook.com/ctr4chr/ | instagram.com/ctr4chr/ | twitter.com/Ctr4CHR
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