Cecile Shellman

Diversity Catalyst

Cecile Shellman (she/her) is a motivational speaker, author, and independent museum consultant whose work focuses on issues relevant to diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and anti-racism in museums.

From 1991 until the late 2010s Ms. Shellman worked in the visual arts sector at various galleries and museums across four states. Her deep knowledge of art interpretation and administration positions her to be an advocate for individuals and communities who have been marginalized and less represented by museums. She continues to work tirelessly in the service of museum practitioners, boards of trustees, and museum service organizations to teach best practices in anti-oppression and Inclusion in the arts.

Past appointments include: Director for Visual Arts and Exhibitions at the August Wilson Center; Program Manager for Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Culturally Responsive Arts Education initiative; Education Coordinator at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston; Director of Education at Heckscher Museum of Art, New York; and Education Curator at the Museum of Church History and Art, Salt Lake City. She serves on the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Board of Advisors, works as a Senior Diversity Fellow of the American Alliance of Museums’ Facing Change Initiative, and has headed working groups and leadership teams across the nation to strategize and maximize their DEAI best efforts at every leaf of leadership and staff engagement.

Her current clients include: Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, The Frick Pittsburgh, The Terra Foundation for American Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Eric Carle Museum for Picture Book Art, The New York Transit Museum, Discovery Place, and the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.

Ms. Shellman holds a BFA in painting from Brigham Young University and CMS from Harvard University. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Spencer, and is a fiercely competitive Scrabble player.