FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS, John Suau (“swow”) has been a leader in the museum and culture sector.
A native of Illinois, John’s undergraduate studies in art and industrial design eventually took him to Florence and Venice, Italy, where he studied and worked with art museums like the Pecci Center in Prato and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. He lived and worked in the cultural arena in Madrid, Spain, for several years in Europe, including the Galería Mar Estrada, EL EUROPEO, Lapiz, and EXPO’92.
As the interim CEO of the Armory Art Center, I oversaw a complete revamp of workflow processes to improve productivity. I directed a team of over fifty, including twelve staff members and over forty art instructors. I oversaw the development and implementation of educational programs for the institution, including exhibits, more than 100 classes, various tours, and tens of workshops annually. I also directed several consultants who assisted with the organization’s administration. I created a new membership program for the Armory with much success. I oversaw the 1939 Art Deco building renovation, a $1-million capital project. I worked with local and regional leaders to reimagine the Armory Art Center as a more integral part of the cultural fabric of Palm Beach County through strategic partnerships.
I consulted with 3PlayMedia, a digital platform that combines AI technology with professional transcribers worldwide to provide the most accurate transcription, captions, translations, and audio descriptions. Used by the world’s largest libraries and museums, 3PlayMedia makes collections, programs, and meetings more accessible.
I recently consulted on strategic partnerships in the cultural sector for Verbit. This digital platform combines AI technology with professional transcribers worldwide to provide the most accurate transcription, captions, translations, and audio descriptions. Verbit is used by the world’s largest libraries and museums to make collections, programs, and meetings more accessible.
I consulted as a senior museum advisor to the team at Smartify, a robust digital platform and AI mobile app for galleries and museums. In this role, I managed business relationships for 40+ museums worldwide and leveraged industry knowledge to advance goals as a consultant for platform development, content migration to web-based channels, B2B website redesign, marketing strategies, content translation, pricing strategies, and communication tool creation.
Executive Director, Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
As the visionary leader responsible for creating the DC History Center, I led the transformation of the Historical Society of Washington, DC. I re-established its place in the local community. After successfully negotiating a partnership with Apple and Events DC, I oversaw redesigning and constructing the new DC History Center in the Carnegie Library at Mount Vernon Square. I also conceived three new exhibits, a new library, and a new retail space as a part of the DC History Center.
I consulted on the development, marketing, and membership tools for the National Shell Museum in Sanibel, Florida. I updated and rebranded the organization, a natural science museum, and implemented mobile technology to enhance the accessibility of the museum’s content.
Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums
The Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM) is arguably the country’s most densely populated museum community. I redesigned the branding and created new digital communications tools (website, newsletters) to develop an international profile for the regional association. I helped to create the Building Museums symposium, now in its 18th year, which has sustained the regional association for close to two decades.
Diversity and Education Manager, American Alliance of Museums
I worked at the American Alliance of Museums, coordinating logistics for the first hemispheric conference for museum professionals in San Jose, Costa Rica. I continued working with the AAM as the first staff member to address the issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for the museum community. My work was instrumental in creating greater diversity in the museum field.
Confident, imaginative, focused, passionate, eloquent, transformative, inspiring, dedicated—these words unhesitatingly spring to mind when I reflect on what John has brought to his past positions
Edward (Ted) Phillips, Former Director of Exhibitions at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C.