Sydney Nguyễn

Sydney works to coordinate and manage the new Neilson Library’s exhibitions program, which includes four tabletop cases, six mobile cases, and a formal Exhibition Gallery on the second floor. By working with students, faculty, and other library staff, Sydney implements student-designed and -installed exhibitions as part of classes, student organizations, or for capstone and thesis projects, and connects the wider Smith community with the Libraries' vast and impressive Special Collections. As coordinator of the program, Sydney also monitors submissions for exhibition requests, builds a calendar for future and potential exhibitions, maintains exhibition supplies and equipment, manages a budget for the program, develops workflows and training relating to best practices, helps establish standards, creates or helps create labels and other text, and assists stakeholders in content selection and display.

Sydney hails from San Diego, California and came to Smith in 2022. Prior to her current position, she served as the Post-Bacc Assistant for Indigenous American Collections for the Five College Consortium. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Research Interests

Native American and Indigenous studies, intersectional feminisms, performance studies, political sovereignty, gender and sexuality studies, museum studies, and decolonizing/unsettling museums.

Publications & Presentations

Sydney Nguyễn and Isabel Cordova, curators. "Native American Art in Smith College Art Museum's Collection." (2022).

Aaron F. Miller, Sydney Nguyễn, Isabel Cordova, and Louise Wagner '22, curators. "Considering Indigeneity." (2022).