(from left): Designer Aki Cooren, Annie Carlano, and design historians Alexa Armstrong and Cassandra Hernandez from Carpenters Workshop Gallery.
Noteworthy: Awards, accolades, and notable mentions – Fall 2025 Inspired Magazine
Mint staff leading in the North Carolina Museum Council.
Alex Olivares, the Mint’s audience research and evaluation specialist, has been elected board president of the North Carolina Museum Council — an important leadership role that reflects her expertise and ongoing commitment to foster innovation and engagement within cultural institutions.
Also serving in a key leadership position is Margaret Mauldin, assistant head of school and gallery programs. Mauldin is the council’s vice chair for professional development. Her role highlights her passion for museum education and advancing professional growth in the field.
The North Carolina Museum Council is a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting and elevating museums and museum professionals throughout the state.
100 Internship applications
The number of summer internship applications received, underscoring the interest of university and college students to museum professions. Five interns were selected from the impressive pool of applicants and placed in five departments throughout the museum.
Exceptional guest service
Kudos to guest services employees Mila Simmons and Bridget Sullivan for going above and beyond in providing exceptional service as sighted guides to a visitor during the NC 12th District Congressional Art Competition Reception on May 18. The visitor expressed heartfelt appreciation, sharing that Simmons and Sullivan made her feel truly welcome in the museum. They took the time to explain the layout, read signage aloud, and personally escorted her to a seat for the reception. During the event, Sullivan continued to support the visitor by kindly asking student artists to elaborate on their works and describe them in more visual detail, helping the guest better understand and appreciate the art on display.
Our curators inspire at the biannual Design Summit
Senior Curator of Craft, Design, and Fashion Annie Carlano served on the planning committee for the biannual Design Summit held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and hosted by the Advisory Board of Human Dignity Projects. The Summit 2025 theme was Dignify by Design. Participants included architects, designers, philosophers, social entrepreneurs, and economists who promote justice, dignity, and community, into their practice. Carlano moderated the panel “Culture Can Influence Change: Moving Cultural Traditions Forward Responsibly” and selected artists/designers Virgil Ortiz, Fernando Laposse, and Japanese/French designers Aki and Arnaud Cooren for the program.