For Women's History Month, the BYU MOA wanted to highlight the incredible women who work inside the museum. Let us introduce you to Kylie Brooks, Marketing and Public Relations Manager.
- How long have you worked at the MOA?
I’ve worked at the MOA for three years.
- What is your favorite part about your job?
I love working together with the other departments within the museum to create meaningful, lovely, exciting, enriching exhibitions for our patrons to enjoy. I also enjoy the variety of exhibitions, because it makes my job fun as I get to figure out how to get new patrons inside the museum to experience the different exhibitions.
- What has been your favorite exhibit at the MOA?
I’m obsessed with the
Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light exhibition we have on display right now. I’ve also really loved our exhibition
The Interpretation Thereof: Contemporary LDS Art and Scripture. Oh, and
Rebecca Campbell: The Potato Eaters. All of these exhibitions have really spoken to my heart.
- What’s one challenging aspect of your job?
It’s an exciting challenge to try and plan and maintain a marketing strategy for all current exhibitions plus upcoming exhibitions—at any given time, I’m juggling between eight and fourteen different exhibition campaigns. It’s fun, though!
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
As a kid and teenager, I was always drawn to the arts, whether it was through dance, literature, theatre, or art. I was SURE I was going to be a ballerina when I was a little kid. My career path has changed a little bit, but I’m still working in the arts, which is the BEST job I could ask for.
- What types of cool opportunities has the MOA given you?
I’m so grateful for the experience I’ve had because of the MOA. I’ve been able to travel and see other museums, I’ve been able to meet contemporary artists and watch them create art, and I’ve been able to create art myself that’s been part of larger installations. I think the best opportunity of all is that I’ve been able to be a small part of bringing art to our campus and seeing students and community members have meaningful experiences with art.
- Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled?
Traveling is one of my favorite things to do and I’m always intrigued by new places and new cultures. But, London will always be my favorite (and not just because that’s where my husband proposed to me).
- What women do you most look up to/ are inspired by in your life?
My number one girl gang is my family. I have an amazing mom who’s supported and loved and encouraged me my whole life—she’s been my lifelong cheerleader and my number one example of what a strong, go-getting woman is. I also have four younger sisters, each with very distinct personalities and interests. They uplift, inspire, and teach me all the time.
- What’s a typical day like for you?
A typical day for me at the MOA consists of a lot of social media (creating content, monitoring our accounts, and analyzing our traffic data), meetings with other MOA departments to plan exhibitions or to develop content for marketing campaigns, planning for future exhibitions, and, when I need a break, wandering through one of our ten galleries!
- How do you stay motivated?
At work, I stay motivated by remembering my goal of instilling my love of the arts to as many people as I possibly can. The arts have had such a positive influence in my life, and I want to bring that to others. Remembering my overarching goals makes it easier when I have to work on less-glamorous nitty-gritty work.
- What are some of your hobbies?
My hobbies include yoga and kickboxing, reading (preferably by a pool), traveling, and writing.
- What advise would you give students?
My advice for students is this: enjoy the part of life that you’re in right this minute, always treat yourself and others with kindness, find people that are doing your dream job and ask them about how they got there, and always do something for each of your classes every weekday (it helps stave off procrastination).
- If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
My mom’s carrot cake.
- Who is your favorite artist/what is your favorite artwork?
I’m learning so much about artists and artwork as I’m working here at the MOA, but one of my all-time favorite artists is the late-19th century/early 20th century sculptor Camille Claudel. She was a brilliant sculptor whose pieces have such tangible vitality and passion!
- If you weren’t at your current job, what would you want to do?
I’m truly doing my dream job right now, so it’s hard to imagine an alternate. I absolutely love reading fiction, so I maybe if I wasn’t doing my current job, I’d be writing novels (preferably from an idyllic, tranquil mountain cabin).