Jennifer Navva Milliken joined the curatorial team of the Bellevue Arts Museum Monday as the Curator of Craft.

In her role, she will be responsible for selecting artwork created by practical skill, such as woodworking and ceramics. The museum’s mission statement names craft and design as parallel areas of focus, in addition to fine arts.

Milliken, of Woodinville, studied art history at Western Washington University before earning her masters degree from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. Her research there focused on the role of functionality in art and design from the 1990s to the present. She founded INTER ALIA, an independent curatorial firm, in 2012 and has written for catalogues accompanying exhibitions, as well as Art Jewelry Forum and Domus.

“I am eager to speak for the role and influence of craft,” Milliken said. “In a time of renewed interest in many disciplines that make up the field, it is thrilling to become part of an institution that advocates for the creative process, skill and vision of today’s most talented makers.”