Final Reflection

Throughout the summer, my internship was divided into two areas: Public programs and Interpretation. The goals were primarily to learn different areas of the museum education department to experience working with various audiences and learn by observation as well as assisting in the development of the Amon Carter Museum summer programming.

Both public programs and interpretation helped me in an insurmountable way. I am incredibly grateful for the experience this summer. I loved learning about the Amon Carter collection, and the resources available to create two projects where I was able to create a connection between the visitors and the artwork. The whole process was amazingly rewarding for me. I learned how to spark curiosity in the visitors so they want to learn more and open up to sharing their experiences. 

The art cart was key in learning about various audiences through direct contact with museum visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Throughout the summer I learned about the different exhibitions, presented related knowledge such as artist biography, process, and artwork. This allowed the visitors to participate and learn about the exhibition from personal experience. My supervisor, Peggy, designed an activity that allowed me fully explore and engage with visitors in a meaningful way. With her activity, I researched and prepared materials to help any art cart facilitator in implementing the activity. We rolled out the first -hands-on- art cart where visitors can immerse themselves in the artist's creative process. The result has been amazing. Some visitors stay for an hour working on the activity and talking to me about the artist, art, and about their own lives. In my stats and observations log that I submit after each art cart on Fridays, I provide the museum with the number of visitors and a detailed comment about the kind of interaction I had with the visitors. The positive impact of my art cart experience has turned into an extension of my internship for the Fall semester. I am so happy i can continue to do this for a few more months! 

For my final project in interpretation, we finally ordered materials and I am submitting the accompanying information packet that would help anyone in the museum to talk about the activity and the artwork. I don't have photos of the activity because the materials have yet to arrive. Our "Make your own Nevelson" art cart will be implemented in two parts. First we will do something similar to Carrie's project on the Louise Nevelson Lunar Landscape. The difference is that we are not making an artwork that visitors take home, or that they can make at home. Instead, we are looking for  the visitors to spend time looking,inspecting, and connecting the information of the artist's process with the activity. We ordered wood pieces that will be spray-painted black, and will be using small clay pieces to test the Nevelson's terra-cotta sculpture activity. Visitors will be making compositions inspired by the artwork that they are in front of. We will talk about the artist, the work, and finding ways for them to create a personal connection with it. So make sure you look up the hashtag #CarterArtCart on social media in a few weeks, to see what people make!

In the Public Programs department, I've assisted in the "Sharing the Past"program for people with Alzheimer's, "Connect to Art" program for people with cognitive disabilities, "Trivia Night" program for adults, and this weekend, I will be observing and assisting in the "Sensory Saturday" program for children on the autism spectrum and their parents/caregivers. 

My major project in Public Programs was to observe the educators, create content for my own story time. I read two stories, on in front of Alexander Calder's Mobile piece, and the second in front of Louise Nevelson's Lunar Landscape.  Some of my responsibilities included to help with prepwork, set-up and tear-down, and assist in making sure the visitors and the art were safe from each other. Between the staff of educators, gallery assistants, and art handlers we made sure that the Story Time program ran safe and smooth. The visitors left happy and the museum provided a service to the community. Children and parents alike learned a little bit about the artwork in a relaxed, sometimes loud, but always a fun way. Although being a little nervous is normal and it takes practice to become better, I feel like i am already a much better educator than I was before. Reading the stories was such a great gateway to imagining the art come to life, and seeing so many regulars meant that the museum became part of their lives. 

To wrap up my final reflection, I just wanted to add that the many responsibilities throughout the museum helped me stay on track by having to prioritize my time throughout the day. It seems like a no-brainer, but programming in museums is about many small tasks and team-effort that gets the job done. I've been able to sit in the Educator's meetings on Wednesdays and learn about what other programs are happening. My conversation with Amanda, the Director of the Education program, helped me look objectively at how my experience can be presented to continue my work as an educator. I am working on my website that will have my artwork, CV, and will have a portfolio of examples of my museum projects that I can present as I search for jobs within the museums in the DFW area.