I am doing my internship this semester at the Kimbell Art Museum in the education department. Which is a great opportunity for me to learn and observe considering the great team they have in the department, among them Connie and Ali who used to be a classmate in some of my art ed. courses at UNT. I’ve been working at the museum for two days, my first day was Wednesday, January 16th and Friday was my second day. My assigned regular days are Wednesdays and Fridays, and there are some days that are mandatory to attend such as in Spring break, family festival and other nights.
From this opportunity, I aim to learn how educators, and curators design and plan their future projects and how they operate their current programs and events. So far, since the first day, I had some idea of what the staff does and how they work and make things happing by observing and paying attention to what goes around me. My direct manager is Connie Hatchette the education manager, and I am expected to work with all education department staff at some point, but until today I have worked with Alli Rogers on the Vision Access Project creating the tactile graphics on the printed paintings with puffy paint in preparation for a focus group session after a sample tour for a couple of visually challenged individuals. I am excited to see what the results are and how this focused group would give an insider perspective in order to help in filling the gaps that we might have missed. I am also expected to attend some lectures and docent teaching which I did last week and found really interesting and educational. I believe its a privilege to be able to attend such activities. In the upcoming week, I am asked to observe a docent tour for an hour, and to meet with Marilyn Ivy the studio and family program coordinator for a studio orientation and to discuss future projects.
Moreover, in this internship, I aim to plan and create an art project on my own. As for now, the plan that I have in mind is to create an art project that is based on my dissertation research, which is a good opportunity for me to examine it in a real setting and discuss my ideas with my manager for brainstorming and feedback. However, prior to that, I need to learn by doing my assigned tasks and observation, then I might start working on my project.
Finally, I find it fascinating to see the other hidden world that operates like a beehive where everyone is busy making awesome things for the other visible (public) world. I am looking forward to learning more from the rest of this internship.
Museums ARE like beehives! I love that comparison. There is so much happening in the background that most visitors have no idea takes place. Sometimes I wish that visitors could see past the walls of the galleries and into the museum's offices. Or, that we could have glass walls or a cross section cut out, like in a dollhouse so that we could peek behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteI am excited to hear more about your art project that will be inspired by your dissertation research!
Thank you for helping out on the tactile graphics! That took the longest amount of prep time for the focus tour group - my hand was cramping even the day after I did it! I'm looking forward to working with you on the Spring Break Art Extravaganza and the Family Festival!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn is such a delight to work with and she will always have something for you to do. She will be the one giving you the most opportunities to flex those art making muscles of yours! I'm sure she would love to hear your ideas about that art project you have in mind.