Lauren Appelbaum
Cultural Heritage Expert and International Museum Program Manager
About Me
Lauren Appelbaum serves as Program Manager in the Office of Global Affairs at the Smithsonian Institution, where she specializes in international cultural heritage and museum development programs. Her academic background includes a BA from Emory University and an MA in Museum Studies from The George Washington University, providing a strong foundation for her work in cultural preservation and accessibility. Her career spans several prestigious DC cultural institutions, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Society of the Cincinnati, and International Arts and Artists' Hillyer Art Space. In her current role, she manages diverse international programs, conducts museum assessments, facilitates professional development workshops for museum staff, develops educational curricula, and leads proposal development initiatives. Her expertise in collections care, preservation, and accessibility has contributed to making museum collections more engaging and accessible to diverse global audiences through the Smithsonian's international programs.