Michelle Cheng

Michelle Cheng currently serves as Deputy Director for Programs at the Fairfield Museum & History Center, building upon her extensive experience in museum education and community engagement. Her career includes significant roles at prestigious institutions, including Director of Education and Community Partnerships at the Frye Art Museum and Professional Development Manager at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, where she led the innovative Smithsonian Design Institute. During her time at Cooper Hewitt, she managed professional development programs for K-12 educators nationwide, helping teachers integrate design thinking across curricula through intensive summer workshops. Her academic background includes a B.A. in Art History and Comparative Literature from Binghamton University and an M.A. in Art + Design Education from Rhode Island School of Design. Throughout her career, she has focused on making art and design accessible to diverse audiences, from leading award-winning education initiatives at Cooper Hewitt to fostering community engagement at the New Haven Museum and creating lasting local impact at various cultural institutions.