Elizabeth Wood Named Director of Huntington Library Education and Public Programs

Elizabeth (Elee) Wood has been named the new Nadine and Robert A. Skotheim Director of Education and Public Programs at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, Huntington President Karen R. Lawrence announced today. Wood will begin in her new role Aug. 1. She presently serves as curator/educator of the Fielding Collection of Early American Art at The Huntington, a position she has held since 2018.

“I am delighted to see Elee step into this new role,” said Lawrence. “She has extremely broad educational experience in the humanities as well as expertise in the visitor experience in museum settings, is well known and respected in the field, and comes with enormous energy and vision.”

Before joining The Huntington, Wood held several positions at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, including those of associate dean for student affairs, chair of the museum studies program, and professor of museum studies and education. She also served as public scholar of museums, families, and learning at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, and a master’s degree in education and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

Wood’s expertise focuses on object-based learning and on best practices in connecting museum visitors to museum collections. At The Huntington, Wood has been spearheading an initiative to create curriculum and interpretive materials for school-age children to build critical thinking and analytic skills based on The Huntington’s early American art collection.

“This is such a critical moment at The Huntington, and I’m thrilled to be here as we launch the institution’s Centennial year and think about our future, about broadening our audiences, and about really leveraging the collections across the spectrum of educational opportunity,” said Wood. “The Huntington can do things in a museum environment that really no other institution can – with its three collecting areas and the depth and breadth of those collections, paired with new technologies, and a highly energized staff and volunteer corps. The possibilities are endless, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Wood will oversee a staff of 13 and a volunteer corps of about 1,200. The Huntington formally launched its educational activities in 1959 with a modest program of docent-led tours for school children. Today, school programs introduce the collections to more than 15,000 students from around Southern California through various art, botanical, and library field trip opportunities. The Huntington also partners with schools and school districts to provide longer-term engagement through school visits and professional development for teachers. Additionally, through its educational offerings, The Huntington provides an array of public programs that include classes, workshops, performances, lectures, family days, and an annual summer camp for children, among other activities. The Huntington also regularly collaborates with community organizations that serve young people and diverse audiences.

Wood was selected following a national search run by Koya Leadership Partners working closely with a search committee composed of Huntington staff, governing board members, and docents.

About The Huntington

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens is a collections-based research and educational institution serving scholars and the general public. More information about The Huntington can be found online at huntington.org

Visitor Information

The Huntington is located at 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles. It is open to the public Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. Information: (626) 405-2100 or huntington.org.