Re: Museum security staff question

 
From: "Krista Kusuma krista.d.kusuma@gmail.com [talk at museum-ed.org]" <talk@museum-ed.org>
In-Reply-To: Museum security staff question
Date: September 14th 2026
Hi Adam,

I led the transition of a security-focused staff to using a visitor-friendly education "host" model at the ICA Boston more than 15 years ago, one of the early models of this shift, and I still hear it referenced in the field today. Since then I've done a fair amount of hands-on work building out training models that hold both protection and hospitality. I'd love to talk shop when you've the time. 

Krista

Krista Kusuma, MA, CPCC, ACC (she/her)
Culture Architect | Leadership Coaching & Culture Consulting
I support leaders to champion belonging and build aligned, high-performing teams 
Experience First LLC
617-595-5500 | Krista@ExperienceFirst.us




On Fri, Sep 11, 2026 at 12:01?PM Rizzo, Adam amrizzo@upenn.edu [talk at museum-ed.org] <talk@museum-ed.org> wrote:

I’m interested in learning more about how different museums approach hiring and training security officers, especially at university museums. My museum currently contracts with an outside security company, but I’ve seen other models where museums have transitioned to gallery attendants/ambassadors, who focus both on protecting the collection and engaging with visitors. I’m also looking for examples of successful approaches for making visitors feel less policed by security in gallery spaces, even if it’s just as simple as transitioning to less formal uniforms or instituting training sessions. If you have any examples from your institutions, I’d be grateful to hear your perspectives. Please feel free to contact me directly at amrizzo@upenn.edu. Many thanks!

All best,

Adam

 

Adam Rizzo (he, him, his)

School Visit Manager

Pen?n Museum

T: 215.573.9107

www.penn.museum | @pennmuseum

 

The Penn Museum respectfully acknowledges that it is situated on Lenapehoking, the ancestral and spiritual homeland of the Unami Lenape.

 



Visit the Museum-Ed Web site for programs, archives, sample documents and more.

Follow us on Twitter @museumed, on LinkedIn and on Facebook

To reply to this message, address your reply to talk@museum-ed.org To send a new message to the list, address it to talk@museum-ed.org To access and search the discussion list archives http://museum-ed.org/discussionlist/searchable-archives/ To unsubscribe from: talk at museum-ed.org, just follow this link: https://www.museum-ed.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/t/REMOVED/lus/1789153310



Visit the Museum-Ed Web site for programs, archives, sample documents and more.

Follow us on Twitter @museumed, on LinkedIn and on Facebook

To reply to this message, address your reply to talk@museum-ed.org To send a new message to the list, address it to talk@museum-ed.org To access and search the discussion list archives http://museum-ed.org/discussionlist/searchable-archives/ To unsubscribe from: talk at museum-ed.org, just follow this link:

rss/atom
‹ Museum security staff question
Index
Re: Museum security staff question ›
  • This mailing list is a public mailing list - anyone may join or leave, at any time.

    • This mailing list requires approval from the List Owner, before subscriptions are finalized.

  • This mailing list is a group discussion list (unmoderated)

  • Start a new thread, email: talk@museum-ed.org

Talk@Museum-Ed is a forum for discussion, idea sharing and problem solving for the Museum Educator community.

Privacy Policy:

Museum-Ed will not share, sell or distribute subscriber information (email addresses) with any other entities.