Inner Workings: The Power of Archiving & Preserving History

Often unseen yet deeply influential, archives shape how we remember, research, and relate to art and culture. Join us for our next edition of Inner Workings, which explores the art and impact of archiving, highlighting the role museums, universities, and smaller organizations have as caretakers and storytellers. Through this panel conversation, we aim to reveal the creative and ethical dimensions of preserving history—and how inclusive, responsive archival practices can transform the stories we tell.

MCASD’s Inner Workings program series pulls back the curtains of the art and museum world, offering a rare glimpse into the often-overlooked roles and disciplines that shape institutions and the broader art industry. Designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding, this series invites our communities to explore the hidden mechanics of art institutions, shedding light on the expertise and behind-the-scenes activity that bring contemporary artists' work to life.

All program RSVPs include admission to the Museum.

Program

5:30 p.m.: Doors Open

5:50 p.m.: Introductions

6 p.m.: Discussion with panelists Noel Nguyen, Kishauna Soljour, and Pamela Vadakan, moderated by Nicole Verdés

About the Guests

Moderator – Nicole Verdés

Nicole Verdés (they/she) is the inaugural Managing Director of Lambda Archives, where she works to ensure equity and access in cultural preservation. She serves on the board of the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition and has held leadership roles with the San Diego LGBT Community Center's Young Professionals Council, Rising Arts Leaders San Diego, and Diversionary Theatre's Community Advisory Committee.

Nicole has presented on youth archival futures and ethical advocacy practices at national conferences, including ALMS Berlin and Creating Change 2025. She has reviewed several academic works on LGBTQ+ historic preservation and served on grant panels for the California Arts Council. She holds a Master's Degree in Sociological Practice from Cal State San Marcos and is a graduate of the Western Archives Institute.

Panelists – Noel Nguyen, Kishauna Soljour, Pamela Vadakan

Noel Nguyen

Noel Nguyen (he/him) is a San Diego based artist involved with Scannners Archive, a nonprofit arts organization centered around DIY community and culture. He helps manage the space’s growing zine library and runs a monthly group archiving workshop for the collection. Currently he is earning his Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.

Kishauna Soljour

Dr. Kishauna Soljour (she/her/ella) is an Assistant Professor at San Diego State University, specializing in Public Humanities and African Diaspora Studies. She was an Andrew W. Mellon Public Humanities Fellow and Visiting Assistant Professor of History at Sarah Lawrence College. Dr. Soljour received her Ph.D. in History from Syracuse University. Soljour’s research concentrates on the nexus of cultural, political, and social change for Diasporic communities in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Embracing the mission of public humanities, Dr. Soljour is the Associate Director of the Public & Oral History Center and the Associate Director of the Institute for the Arts, Humanities, and Social Justice at SDSU. She developed several initiatives including curated exhibitions, digital oral history projects, archival & preservation projects, and podcasts; as well as, partnered with Humanities New York, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Old Town State Historic Park, the United Nations Volunteer Program, the Hudson River Museum, and the Yonkers Public Library.

Pamela Vadakan

Pamela Vadakan (she/her) has been the project coordinator of California Revealed since its inception in 2010 and became the Director in early 2019. She most enjoys working with partner organizations at regional workshops, meeting people and their collections on the ground, and offering guidance and encouragement for long-term collections care. She has a Master of Arts degree in Moving Image Archiving and Preservation from New York University. She is also a core member of the Community Archiving Workshop and serves on the board of the Center for Home Movies.

Visit: https://mcasd.org/events/archiving-preserving-history

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