Museum Studies at Tufts University

Exploring ideas and engaging in conversation

Museum Job Round-Up: 11/25/2024

Welcome to the weekly roundup! We do our best to collect the latest job openings and welcome submissions from the community. For more opportunities, we recommend the following databases:

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Museums in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has emerged as a contentious topic in the past several years. Love it or hate it, it’s undeniable that AI is becoming prevalent in our everyday lives. From the personal, like dealing with AI customer service, to the communal, such as its impact on political media, AI can now be found in every facet of our society. Until recently, I had not seen museums meaningfully engage with this groundbreaking but controversial technology, but within the past few months I have visited several local museums that discuss the uses and effects of AI from diverse approaches.

The AI: Mind the Gap exhibit at the MIT Museum in Cambridge tackles the subject of AI from historical, philosophical, and technological perspectives. The exhibition’s introduction focuses on early research into artificial intelligence and machine learning from computer science pioneers such as Claude Shannon and Marvin Minsky, grounding artificial intelligence as an existing field of study from the 1950’s onward rather than a recent discovery. The rest of the exhibit allows visitors to interact with various forms of AI from ChatGPT poetry to deep fake presidents to friendly social robots. This interactivity enables visitors to learn about AI technology through direct experience while text, audio, and visuals explain how the technology functions, how it is intended to be used, and how it may be used unethically. For example, there is a game in the deep fake section of the exhibit where visitors can guess whether a short video clip is “real” or “fake.” This holistic and engaging approach makes the potentially intimidating topic of AI more accessible while the educational focus of the exhibit promotes technological and media literacy.

The Broad Discovery Center, a small museum attached to the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Cambridge, has a different focus. While most news centers on generative artificial intelligence–the type of AI that creates text and images–the Broad Institute is a biomedical research organization and its museum showcases AI’s diverse applications in research and medicine. Researchers are increasingly using machine learning AI to sift through and find patterns in enormous data sets, tasks which would be too time-consuming or intensive for humans. The main case study discussed in the museum features researchers’ employing machine learning to analyze medical images of the heart and patient genetics which resulted in promising findings for future diagnostics of cardiovascular conditions. While the Broad Discovery Center does not confront the ethical implications of AI, the museum does educate visitors on the many interdisciplinary applications of this technology and demystifies how scientists use AI as a tool.

In September and October 2024, the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester presented an exhibit called Artificial Intelligence: Disinformation in a Post Truth World which examined images created or enhanced by generative AI as well as ambiguous images that were real but bore AI elements. The museum took an arts and society-based approach to the topic of artificial intelligence by asking visitors to consider AI as everything from an additional tool in an artistic toolkit to a form of dangerous history-altering censorship and instrument of the surveillance state. As part of the exhibition programming, I attended a panel at the Griffin Museum regarding the ethics of AI in art and media with speakers Jonathan Zittrain, Harvard professor of law, public policy, and computer science, and Judith Donath, writer and media arts expert. Their discussion covered the history of ethics in photography, faked photography through the ages, the psychology behind believing faked images, and a need for improved media literacy. Tempers ran a hot in the audience with both pro-AI and anti-AI attendees asking the speakers pointed questions, but this passion and controversy further confirmed my belief that museums in general need to do a better job at addressing the divisive topic of artificial intelligence.

Why is it important that museums talk about AI? Research continues to show that museums are the most trusted institutions in the US for fact-based information. Meanwhile, recent studies suggest that a majority of Americans do not trust artificial intelligence and do not trust tech companies and the government to effectively regulate the technology. In the news and public forums, AI is often discussed with fear and suspicion while being identified as a source of misinformation. Though these concerns are justified, this approach does little to educate the public on AI as a technology and fails to empower us to distinguish AI from reality, fact from fiction. Critical thinking and media literacy, already necessary skills, are becoming increasingly important in the age of AI, and museums are uniquely positioned to reach the public on these issues. Backed by significant public trust, museums should work to dispel AI myths and misinformation while arming visitors with the knowledge and confidence they need to engage with AI in their everyday lives.

 

Museum Job Round-Up: 11/11/2024

Welcome to the weekly roundup! We do our best to collect the latest job openings and welcome submissions from the community. For more opportunities, we recommend the following databases:

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On Museum Internships with Rachel DeLuca

Photo Credit: Carlie Febo

The next discussion in this interview series takes us into one of the most sought after roles in museums—the internship! Aspiring museum professionals are always on the hunt for new opportunities to learn, network, and find relevant job experience. Our guest today will shed insight on her museum path while providing wisdom on that coveted intern role through her tenure at one of Boston’s most beloved museums.

Rachel DeLuca (she/her) is the Academic Programs Manager at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Nick Nemeth (NN): Thank you so much for joining me today, Rachel. To begin, could you provide a brief introduction to your role at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum?

Rachel DeLuca (RD): Of course! I am the Academic Programs Manager, and I’ll have been in my current role for two years as of this December. There are two major parts to my role. One is managing our paid internship program, which we call Gardner Ambassadors, and the other is co-managing our University Memberships. For the internship program, I work closely with two schools: Bunker Hill Community College and UMass Boston. For my work with University Memberships, I manage all of our relationships with local Boston schools which includes getting students into the museum through free admission, providing tours, and other responsibilities. 

NN: With that introduction, I’d like to know a little bit more about your history. Beginning with your undergraduate endeavors and experiences there, to any further education and other roles. Essentially, how did you end up in your current museum position?

RD: I’ll start off by saying that I completely stumbled into the museum world. I’ve always loved museums, but I didn’t really grow up around any major museums. I only really started to go to them in college. I earned my undergraduate degree at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island studying studio art, focusing on painting. I also dabbled in art history, and I could see that there was some interest brewing there, although my main focus remained in studio art and painting. After I earned my degree, I immediately started graduate school at Boston University to obtain my MFA in painting. While I was there I needed another position to make ends meet, and I was trying to find something better connected to what I enjoy. I happened to be at the Gardner Museum, and I thought, “Oh, this seems like a great place to work.” However, I didn’t apply right away. One thing I think students do is talk themselves out of potential opportunities. I would have had the qualifications at that time for the first position I applied for here. As an aside to the people reading this, whatever it is, just go for it and apply! 

But anyways, I eventually applied to work in visitor services, and I did that for a while before moving onto other departments. In total, I’ve been at the Gardner for a little over seven years, but I had no idea when I first applied for that visitor services role that it would lead me more into the museum world. I still do create my own art, but at the time, I was hoping to teach undergrads in a university setting. I did do some teaching back then as well, and that led me into museum education, and I loved that. It was the best of both worlds.

NN: Considering the graduate student who is similarly exploring museum careers, could you speak to some of the positives and negatives in your position? In your current role, what are some of the things you love about what you get to do, and some things that applicants might not be as aware of, but should know, before they jump into it? Perhaps not downsides, but surprises.

RD: Before I was in this role, I had also worked in the tours division of the education department so I had built a foundation interacting with college students and university faculty. I’m very thankful for those experiences. Through them, I learned how to pitch a tour and understand the business side of the museum. Without those experiences, I would not have the skills for my current role where I need to budget for my program, where I need to advertise and promote the museum.

My favorite part of my work is the mentorship aspects of it. I love working closely with college students whether they’re in the internship program or just coming to the museum for an informational interview. It’s inspiring to see students gain confidence with their first museum roles, whether it’s straight out of school, or people switching professions. I also never expected to be involved across so many collaborative efforts within the museum. Part of that is working in a smaller institution. I absolutely love it, but I did not anticipate that I would be working so closely with museum development, finance, and operations. 

NN: That’s an important perspective I’d like to highlight here as well, all the work you do with interns. Landing that entry-level position, that first internship or first step in the museum door, can be difficult and daunting. To those applying for museum internships, what would you recommend they look for? What should they focus on as they search?

RD: That’s a great question as it really is quite competitive. With our programs, we specifically take applicants from only two schools to bring some equity into the Museum field, prioritizing underrepresented communities. One added benefit is that students who are applying don’t need to compete with the entire student body of Boston. That’s not to say they aren’t competitive—they are—but I want to stress that that feeling of competition can scare people away from applying in the first place. Perseverance often pays off, and it only takes one acceptance to get your foot in the door.

Also, do your research on the institutions you’re applying towards to ensure they’re environments that align with your goals. If it’s possible, look at program alumni who’ve come out of those internships and see what they’re doing next to ensure their trajectories match your interests. I’ll also mention, if you’re willing to live elsewhere or travel, have some flexibility in your life, that offers a lot of options for internships or fellowships. There are so many out there that take some digging to find! Thankfully, most museums are also moving towards a paid internship model, or at the very least offering school credit. 

I want to finally add that spending time to investigate these museums is fundamentally important. Learn what museums are looking for in their candidates and see if there is anything you can add to your own education before applying–making yourself into an asset. It’s a somewhat paradoxical line of thought, because the internships at the Gardner are designed to be entry level so we’re not expecting students to come in with a wealth of career experiences. Yet, tailoring a transferable skillset to reflect the work you want to do in the future may help you stand out among applicants.

NN: Thank you, Rachel. For many museum related programs, such as mine at Tufts University, an internship or practicum is a requirement to complete the degree. Finding that experience can be a stressful ordeal, and I think your input will shed some light on that process. Related to that, but beyond the internship, for graduate students trying to get a more permanent role in museums, what advice would you give during their search?

RD: Complementing what I mentioned previously, active research on the institutions you’re interested in is fundamental. This isn’t just online, but if possible, go to their events and public programs, see their exhibitions, and try to understand the mission of the museum. Get involved as much as possible. While many institutions are moving away from unpaid models, volunteering can be a way to get a foot in the door. Working in a frontline role like visitor services is also an excellent way to get experience. It’s exactly how I started! When you eventually happen upon something that really interests you, you’ll have that visitor-centered perspective in mind, and in your toolbox. Genuinely, my work in visitor services informs how I approach my job today, and I would recommend anyone who works in museums to spend time on the frontline, so to speak. 

NN: To backtrack for a moment, as I think this would be useful for any graduate student readers curious about museum paths. You had mentioned your entry at the Gardner in visitor services, but what brought you to your current role? 

RD: It was actually quite the winding path. I started in visitor services at the Gardner during my second year of graduate school. Through my work there I met a wonderful community of artists. Many people working in museums often have something else going on—teaching or producing art, for example. I ended up enjoying the work while finding that this was an opportunity to learn something different. I worked in our box office, answered inquiries sent to the museum, and connected visitors to our archives. Opportunities would present themselves, and I would agree to help in any way I could. The most unique of those roles being a temporary collection cleaning position in Conservation. These projects were informal steps up that often came about when I advocated for what I was interested in. 

Then while I was still in visitor services I was offered the role of tour coordinator at the museum. At first, this wasn’t quite what I was interested in, but after considering the position I decided to take a leap–part of that was that this position would bring me into the education department. After two years, another opportunity opened up that would combine my interest in teaching, with my administrative and management experience. I was promoted to where I am today. Having filled a few roles now, both public-facing and behind the scenes, that knowledge helps as I onboard and teach new interns about working in museums.

NN: That’s a vital lesson, I think, that our museum paths can be circuitous and anything but straight-forward, but perseverance, a willingness to try something new, and some unexpected opportunity, can pay off. Thank you again for your time, Rachel. To conclude our conversation, can you share some museum wisdom with our student audience from your seven years in the industry? The floor is yours!

RD: Rounding back to our first topic, don’t talk yourself out of applying to jobs that you think you’re not cut out for. There is never going to be a single, perfect candidate that fulfills every quality an employer is looking for. Just go for it! The worst someone can say is “no,” and you’ll only be out a little time. Flexibility is also key. You may not get that dream job right away, but persistence often pays off. I’ve had to give myself a few pep talks over the years—one foot was in the door and the other was inching forward. Sometimes it’s all about timing, whether through your perseverance or the timely opening of a position to apply for. 

Perhaps most importantly, be gentle with yourself and try not to take rejection personally. As a final aside, I had an artist friend who kept a spreadsheet of all the jobs she applied to, and she kept track of all her rejections. Once she reached a certain number, she would treat herself and tie the labor of application into a form of accomplishment. I try to emulate that, and approach life with a similar mindset. The rejections I faced when I started in museums ultimately led me down the path I’m on now–one that I absolutely adore and wouldn’t trade for any other!

If you’ve not yet visited the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, this winter season is an excellent time to catch their current slate of exhibitions and programs, including Manet: A Model Family and the Gardner Façade: Mickalene Thomas’s Sandra, She’s a Beauty.

Museum Job Roundup 11/04/2024

Welcome to the weekly roundup! We do our best to collect the latest job openings and welcome submissions from the community. For more opportunities, we recommend the following databases:

NORTHEAST

MIDATLANTIC/SOUTHEAST

 MIDWEST

SOUTH

WEST COAST/SOUTHWEST

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