Full-circle
“Full-circle,” a phrase I used quite a few times in my last video. When reflecting on the last decade of my professional life, I have worked dozens of internships. From public relations, collections management, curatorial, archaeology, teaching, researching, gallery world, and everything in-between (I even took over a magazine launch party and created a fashion show) I said “yes” to any and every opportunity related to the creative sector because I was determined to become an art curator.
Although I wasn’t sure if these skills would ever come in handy, I never squandered an opportunity to make a connection or learn something new. Fast-forward to 2018, I became the Virginia G. Schroeder Curator of Art at the Evansville Museum. As time progresses, I am constantly amazed and shocked at how skillsets from these various past internships become pivotal points in completing tasks or coincide with programs that I host within my department. To give some examples:
Currently, I am cleaning the Humankind Gallery, which has cultural heritage artifacts. I learned how to clean galleries and these types of artifacts from my internship at Death Valley National Park and the National Museum of Archaeology, Greece.
I served as a public relations and graphic designer intern at the Athenaeum. Due to this, I understand the importance of marketing and social media. I use these skillsets to work alongside our Marketing Associate and to self-brand. By understanding how to do this, I can trade and acquire “social goods” (read article: Dees, J. G. (2001). The Meaning of "Social Entrepreneurship", 1–5.) for my museum and person. This is how I can be a lifelong learner without using much or any fiscal resources. (Ask me how many conferences I attend and have actually paid for).
Curatorial work is the embodiment of research; therefore, internships aligning in those areas are self-explanatory. However, I have met very few curators who have a background in collections management. In my opinion (and depending on the intuitional needs), it is hard to practice a higher standard of stewardship without knowledge in this area. From my collections management training conducted at the Indiana State Museum, I continually implement methods and learned skills from that internship into my daily work as a curator.
Granted, I could expand this list; however, I will make this my last point: I am hosting a fashion show in October for our monthly Women Speaker Series program.
Furthermore, the overall point of this blog is to encourage aspiring curators or emerging museum professionals to say “yes” to every and any opportunity. Although it is difficult because of the lack of pay, the experience is worth its weight in gold. I spent many years working two to three jobs while working an internship to keep relevant in this field. It was challenging, frustrating and I wanted to quit many times but I couldn’t imagine an existence without being attached to the museum or gallery world in some capacity. Because of the hard work, dedication, and resilience, I am unbelievably grateful that I am allowed to do what I love at the Evansville Museum.
Tory Schendel Cox
The Virginia G. Schroeder Curator of Art