Our summer interns introduce themselves and share what they have been working on over the past few weeks. Fall internship applications are now open through Friday, August 21!
Addison Tobias, University of Buffalo
“I am from Buffalo, New York, and am currently pursuing a masters degree in Critical Museum Studies and Arts Management from the University at Buffalo. I immediately wanted to intern at The Phillips Collection after my first visit to DC this past year with one of my Arts Management classes. My favorite museums besides The Phillips Collection are the Albright-Knox Art Gallery as it was the first gallery I ever went to, and the MoMA in New York City. This summer I am working in the DEAI department and have been conducting research on the various ways The Phillips Collection can implement a Supplier Diversity Program in the near future. I am also working on a project that looks into the diversity of the various artists that The Phillips Collection has had over the years, and the stories that can be told from the similarities and differences across these artists.”
Evan Wang, Indiana University
“My name is Evan Wang, I come from China. I am a master’s student at Indiana University, studying Arts Administration and Public Affairs. I have several museums in my mind that I like, such as the Met, the British Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, and a few small art museums. As for the artists, Van Gogh and Anne Magill are my favorite for now. I am working in Public Programs with Miguel Perez, working on a research project which focuses on what museums are doing for low-income communities. Another project is to develop a hypothetical public program for Community Engagement. And I really wish I could go to the Phillips and have real contact with all people who work there.”
Maya Wilson, Harvard University
“My name is Maya Wilson, I’m from DC, and I’m currently on a year off before I start college at Harvard this fall. I’ve been very fortunate to do some traveling this year and one of my favorite museums I visited was the Acropolis Museum in Athens; it really opened my eyes to the power and nuance of curatorial studies and museum studies in general. I’m very grateful to be a part of the Public Programs department, in a moment where public programming presents some very urgent and exciting challenges. In addition to brainstorming, developing, and helping to facilitate a variety of virtual programs, I’ve been doing research on different strategies cultural institutions across the nation use for teen outreach, in the hopes that we might be able to adopt some of these practices for more adolescent programming at the Phillips. Suffice it to say I’m sure this internship would’ve been a very different experience had we been able to meet in person, but I welcome the opportunity to get a little bit more familiarity working in the virtual space, especially considering we’re probably going to be working remotely in some capacity for the foreseeable future. ”
Vanessa Kemajou, Towson University
“My main project as the DEAI Intern was to create an employee training manual and Powerpoint presentation on microaggressions in the workplace. This was an exciting project on a conversation I am passionate about. Interns should expect to gain new skills that can be transferable to any field even if it is not museum related. Through the different assessments and evaluations, you learn your strengths and weaknesses and learn what type of employee you are in the workplace. Interns should expect to gain a unique experience, especially working virtually. After my internship, I will complete my last semester of undergrad, pursue my masters next and by God’s grace be a family and marriage therapist and psychotherapist. In the future, I plan on owning a private practice for therapy.”