Media release: Tellus Science Museum Executive Director Jose Santamaria was recognized with one of the most prestigious awards during the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries (GAMG) annual conference in Albany, GA on Friday, January 22, 2016.
Santamaria received the award for Museum Professional of the Year for his exemplary service to the museum industry. He has been on board at Tellus Science Museum since before its opening in 2009, when the museum was formerly known as the Weinman Mineral Museum. He is an integral part of the team who made the vision of the Smithsonian Affiliate science museum become a reality. Tellus has served more than 1.3 million visitors since opening.
Some of Santamaria’s most recent accomplishments include co-author of The 50 Coolest Things at Tellus book and editor of the 2nd edition Minerals of Georgia book. In addition to coordinating initial fundraising efforts for Tellus, he has most recently assisted with raising additional funds for special exhibit galleries and upgrades at the museum, a new solar house opening this year, and four onsite electric vehicle charging stations.
While Santamaria continues to have great success and achievements at Tellus, his experience thrives beyond the Cartersville museum. He has served the museum community as a leader at the local, state, and national level and has even been a guest presenter at the Smithsonian. He is currently consulting with the University of Alabama Natural History Museum and the Arizona Mineral Museum as they both undergo renovations to improve their institutions. Over the years he has been involved in many local mineral clubs and has served as president, field trip coordinator, program director, and show director.
Santamaria oversees 78 full and part-time staff and more than 150 volunteers. Tellus Director of Marketing Shelly Redd says, “Jose is such a fantastic leader for our organization. He has a great vision for our future, and a plan to help us get there. He doesn’t hesitate to ‘get in the trenches’ with staff and applauds us when we do well. It’s a privilege to work with him.” When asked about his award, Santamaria stated, “I am so honored to be recognized in this manner. I couldn’t accomplish any of these things without the amazing staff and volunteers at Tellus or without the support of our board members. Tellus is a great institution that I am proud to represent.”
The GAMG Museum Professional of the Year is awarded to candidates who are active museum employees in Georgia, has demonstrated leadership at the local, state, and national level, and helped promote the goals of the organization. Santamaria is the third winner of this award for Tellus Science Museum. Astronomer David Dundee won in 2010 and Director of Education Cantey Smith was awarded in 2014.
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