I am grateful that my exposure to art came at an early age. I used to sit in my father’s kitchen, mirroring his movements as he sketched scenes from life in Mississippi. My sister and I would think of titles for his paintings as they dried on the living room floor. My initial curiosity for his work eventually developed into a genuine desire to explore the arts further. After finding my own path through art history, honing my artistic skills, and expanding my knowledge of different cultures, I have noticed the ways in which these topics intersect with one another. Now looking toward the next step in my life post-graduation, I believe my purpose is to make art and culture more accessible – providing the tools needed to understand and contextualize
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As a result, I enrolled in a course that dealt with topics surrounding cultural heritage preservation and the ethics of acquisitions and collections. Who Owns the Past was an enlightening class that provided me with case studies to understand the complex nature of the museum world. During one of our group debates about showcasing unethically acquired Native American remains, I realized that the conversation shifted from the museum to the importance of culture within society. Again I saw the need to create programs and exhibitions that would promote discourse about these subjects. The course allowed me to formulate my own ideas about museum ethics and start brainstorming ways to effect change in society and make improvements in the museum setting.
After searching for an opportunity to make an impact, I received an internship with the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) during the summer of 2014. My main focus was documenting and researching photography series in the collection. Creating constituent records for photographers and their subjects allowed me to contribute more broadly to the museum. Although my internship is complete, I am still inspired by the museum’s mission to promote awareness and discussion of African American history through the use of fine art, music, film, and other
As a result, I enrolled in a course that dealt with topics surrounding cultural heritage preservation and the ethics of acquisitions and collections. Who Owns the Past was an enlightening class that provided me with case studies to understand the complex nature of the museum world. During one of our group debates about showcasing unethically acquired Native American remains, I realized that the conversation shifted from the museum to the importance of culture within society. Again I saw the need to create programs and exhibitions that would promote discourse about these subjects. The course allowed me to formulate my own ideas about museum ethics and start brainstorming ways to effect change in society and make improvements in the museum setting.
After searching for an opportunity to make an impact, I received an internship with the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) during the summer of 2014. My main focus was documenting and researching photography series in the collection. Creating constituent records for photographers and their subjects allowed me to contribute more broadly to the museum. Although my internship is complete, I am still inspired by the museum’s mission to promote awareness and discussion of African American history through the use of fine art, music, film, and other