Hi my name is Michèle Jubilee and I’m the Education Programs Manager at NUMU. I began my role at NUMU in January of this year, 2021, and I am so delighted to be on the team. I’ve launched NUMU’s blog in the hope that over time it can reflect the diverse voices of our community and give a window into the lives of artists in the Bay Area, the joys of art practice and learning, and give a special window into education programs and exhibitions at NUMU.
A little bit about me, I love a good cup of tea with friends and taking walks to appreciate flowers and trees. I was born in Montreal, Canada, and I grew up in the heart of San Francisco, right next to the De Young Museum. I used to walk over to the museum regularly and spend hours just taking in all the art. Museums and art making have always been a huge part of my life. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, with a double-major in Art History and Visual Arts, from the University of British Columbia (UBC) located in Vancouver, Canada, on the unceded territory of the Musqueam People. It’s such a full circle moment to be living, creating and working in the Bay Area again, on Ohlone Land, working at NUMU. I also work as a freelance multidisciplinary artist and illustrator and invite you to visit my portfolio. You’re welcome to follow my art journey on instagram @michelejubilee_art.
A continual work in progress, I see my work in museum programs and my own art practice as integrally connected, and all part of one path of learning. The arts are so special because we can share in our individual and collective experiences.
Painting a mural titled Something Unfolding, Vancouver, Canada
Michèle Jubilee, Work in Progress, Ink Illustration, 2019
Painting a piece titled Nothing Left Behind, 2019, Vancouver, Canada
Live painting during Missy D’s event Hip Hop in Colors, Vancouver, Canada
Michèle Jubilee, In Bloom, digital illustration, 2020
During my time in Vancouver, Canada, I had the pleasure of working at the Museum of Anthropology, Gallery 1515, and the Contemporary Art Gallery, as well as participating in many grassroots arts initiatives. From conferences, to dance festivals, mural projects, exhibition openings, and workshops, I love working with communities, meeting artists, and empowering youth. The arts deeply shape culture and society and I find creating arts programming an ideal platform for articulating social purpose and meaning.
Online platforms present a multitude of new ways to engage in art making and conversation. I believe that arts programming in museums must adapt to rapidly transforming notions of creativity and art by asking questions, exploring new artistic mediums and methods, questioning traditions, and learning alongside communities. I look forward to the programs and collaborations yet to come!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to introduce yourself by emailing me at programs@numulosgatos.org. I hope you are all staying safe and inspired. You can submit a blog post idea here, and to all the artists, please consider applying to lead a workshop at NUMU by filling out this form!
-Michèle Jubilee, NUMU’s Education Programs Manager
Photos from past programs I’ve organized:
