Giving Enthusiasm, Gaining Experience

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a place like the NCMA? Here’s one glimpse—a chance to meet some of the fall 2019 interns.

Jasmine Hicks, curatorial intern focusing on contemporary art, graduated from UNC–Greensboro in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in arts administration. She’s been assisting with research and writing for contemporary artists and exhibitions that the Museum is interested in, as well as those we are currently working with.

“My favorite thing about the Museum so far has been the art,” Hicks says. “I have always loved not only making my own art but also learning about art, mostly about how art affects society and people.”

Megan West is currently attending North Carolina State University. She’s majoring in industrial design and has a strong interest in graphic design and exhibition design. As the Programs intern this fall, she’s had a chance to do a little bit of everything at the Museum, including creating presentations, hosting and attending meetings, creating line drawings for coloring sheets, and planning College Night.

“My favorite aspect about being at NCMA is the breadth of situations and tasks to which I’ve been exposed,” West says. “Being in this internship has given me the opportunity to explore different aspects of what I find interesting and help me narrow down what I’d like to do in the future.”

Davienne Gabriel is this season’s intern for the Registration Department. A graduate of UC–Berkeley, she is in the process of applying to graduate school. Her focus is on digital humanities in art history, and her responsibilities at the Museum include supporting the registrars in updating the documentation for past exhibitions, helping to inspect and assemble current exhibitions, and creating a documentation standard for the time-based media works in the Museum’s collection.

“My favorite thing at the NCMA has been the people that I’ve gotten to know and work with,” Gabriel says. “They have generously provided support, insight, and assistance on various projects. I have always had positive experiences with Museum staff, not only as a student but as a visitor as well, and as an intern I feel very lucky that I am able to contribute back in some way.”

And finally, yours truly, Ryan Frank, this fall’s Marketing and Communications intern. I am a senior at NCSU majoring in design studies and minoring in Japan studies. My work as an intern over the past few months has ranged from social media posts and Instagram stories to poster delivery and, of course, writing blog posts. I’ve found joy in adding my own flair to even the shortest of social media posts during my time at the NCMA.

I have to agree with my fellow interns that the best thing about working at the NCMA is the people. Everyone I’ve had the pleasure to meet has been incredibly kind, accepting, and understanding. I think I speak for all of us interns when I say that I will always treasure the time I’ve spent at the North Carolina Museum of Art. And a big thanks to Julia Caston, internship coordinator, for pulling together such an amazing group!