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The State Board of Regents and State Education Department Commissioner MaryEllen Elia today announced the appointment of Mark Schaming as Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education. In his new role, Mr. Schaming will oversee the Office of Cultural Education, which includes the State Museum, Viva88Archives and Viva88Library.

“Mark’s work to showcase New York’s past has brought history to life for countless children and adults alike,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “His knowledge, skill and dedication ensure that Mark will excel in his new role and expand cultural learning opportunities for all New Yorkers.”

“In more than two decades with the State Museum, Mark has proven to be a staunch advocate for preserving New York’s cultural resources and transforming them into opportunities for learning for all New Yorkers,” Commissioner Elia said.��“Through his work on numerous initiatives, such as the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts from the World Trade Center as well as showcasing the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, Mark is ensuring generations of New Yorkers are familiar with their state’s history. His passion for sharing New York’s treasures with the public will serve as a great asset in his new position.”

In his new role, Mr. Schaming will work with the Commissioner and Board of Regents to develop policy recommendations related to cultural education, manage a $60 million operating budget and ensure cultural resources play an effective role in meeting educational goals for all New Yorkers.

Mr. Schaming has more than 20 years of experience in cultural education through positions at the State Museum where he has served as Director since 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Schaming was the Director of Exhibitions, Education and Public Programs at the State Museum. In these roles, Mr. Schaming has worked on the development of several notable exhibitions including the Great Art series; The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery Response; and The First Step to Freedom, which featured the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, exhibitions at the State Museum as well as The Hall of New York and The Viva88Hall of Governors exhibitions at the State Capitol. ��He has also collaborated with museums and cultural institutions across the state, bringing several notable exhibitions including New York Remembers: September 11, 2001 and The First Step to Freedom: Abraham Lincoln’s Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation to museums across New York and the nation. He serves as the chair of the NYS Regents Advisory Council for Museums. Mr. Schaming holds a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College and earned a Master in Fine Arts degree from the University at Albany.

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