Neighborhood Profile: Elizabeth (Beth) Wallace, named after both her grandmothers
Age: 24
Occupation: Associate Manager, Friends of the American Wing, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Status: Single
Beth Wallace has been working on the Upper East Side for nearly two years, and has learned a thing or two about the neighborhood – and what it’s like to actually work at the museum she used to visit as a child. A fan of what she calls “nerdiness” she can typically be found at Tuesday night trivia at Gael Pub on Third Avenue. Though she’d never be one to boast about it, Wallace makes a killer cupcake, and, dumpling, for that matter. She’s not a cab-only or laundry-by-the-pound woman. Invite her over for dinner, and she’ll bring desert in a pan, not in a box. When not at the museum, Wallace can be found running in Central Park. Says friend and fellow Yalie, Yaron Guez: “She likes to run … a lot. Like when we're out on the town and it's cold, or raining, or both. Before you know it, she's over the horizon and out of sight.”
When did you move to the Upper East Side?
August ’05. When I first started my job at The Met in June ’05, I commuted from my parents' house out on Long Island. That cost me $400 a month and 3 hours a day. When I found a room for $600 a month at E. 90th St. and Lexington, I snapped it up.
What's the best thing about working at the Met?
It’s so cool to work in this place that I loved as a child. It's fabulous to be here on Mondays to wander through the galleries when we’re closed to the public. On the other hand, making art available to everyone is what our museum is about. And, seeing school kids sitting on the floor, listening intently to a tour guide, never fails to bring a huge smile to my face. One time, I did get to take Tracey Emin through the Robert Rauschenberg Combines. That was fun!
What’s the worst about working at The Met?
Sometimes, it takes forever to get things done... The Met is huge and occasionally inefficient – there are some 2000 employees that work here.
How did you find your job at The Met?
I found it on Museum-L, a listserv for museum professionals. There are museum Question-and-Answers on all sorts of things – where to find plywood that doesn't off-gas, how to make exhibits interactive, or how to increase attendance. I found my job posted there.
What do you at work?
All different things. Some general administrative duties – answering phones, typing letters, reconciling financial records. I also prepare new acquisitions paperwork, research, create PowerPoint presentations for curatorial lectures, plan Friends events, and handle timekeeping (making sure everyone in the department gets paid).
Did you always want to work in a museum?
When I was five, I wanted to be an artist. At 10, I guess someone convinced me I should do something more practical. There were only two advanced classes at my elementary and middle school - science and math. I liked science so I decided I’d be a doctor. That lasted through my first year of college and Intro Chem. I still loved art history so I changed my major to that. It was something that interested me all along that I read about in my spare time "for fun" as a student at Yale and Hofstra Universities.
Subway or Cab?
I love the 4-5-6. I can get to places by subway just as quickly as I can by cab. I only cab it when I am running super late.
Do-it-yourself or by-the-pound laundry?
I've never tried to do it by-the-pound. I do it myself and go to Starbucks to read a good book while I am waiting.
What's it like working with the world's best curators all day? Is it like the fashion industry -- intense, biting at times, lots of personalities?
It's great because I’m always learning, and there’s always something to do. The curators are involved in tons of things outside of our museum — they teach, they’re on committees for historical sites, and they’re always on the go. Everyone I work with is nice. There aren't really any “Devil Wears Prada” moments.
Do you and colleagues ever chill out in the Temple after hours?
The museum actually has events there, which is pretty amazing. We had a holiday luncheon there courtesy of Mrs. Astor. It was very nice.
What do you like best about the UES?
It’s always a nice place to come home to, kind-of quiet but safe. I know a lot of young people who are moving to the area. There are so many good restaurants and great museums and galleries.
What's annoying about the UES?
The ubiquitous sports bars... I know there are others bars to go to, but I just haven’t had a chance to get to them. I’ve always wanted to check out "The Auction House".
You received an exciting promotion. How did that come about?
After a little bit more than a year of working in the American Paintings and Sculptures Department as an Administrative Assistant, Nadia Hartman and I were given the responsibilities of the Associate Manager of the Friends of the American Wing who retired.
The Friends of the American Wing is a patrons group. Their membership funds go toward the purchase of art objects for our wing. It’s great for them, because they can see that with their donations, we have, for example, purchased a Tiffany Waterlily Vase (currently part of the Laurelton Hall exhibition). Some members have been around for twenty and thirty years. Their dedication is really important to our department, so it was great to know that the curators felt that Nadia and I were ready to take on this responsibility.
What are some of your favorite UES haunts?
I don't usually leave the museum for lunch, but there is a contingency of 20-somethings in my department and we go out occasionally. One day we had lunch at Cafe Sabarsky at the Neue Gallerie. I had the crepe with smoked trout and horseradish. It was delicious!
What's the best thing to order in the Met Cafeteria?
My favorite lunch is the Bento Box. It’s five dollars and comes with two rolls (spicy tuna and California), green tea, and wasabi peas.
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