Teen Museum Studies Presents “Life in Decay”
July 19th, 2010The Teaching Gallery, usually a subdued shade of light gray, got a makeover this week. The walls are now a warm mustard yellow, anxiously awaiting the artwork that will be hung later today. Life in Decay, the Teen Museum Studies’ exhibition featuring works by Margaret Adams, Olivia Lahs-Gonzales and Lauren Zoll, opens tomorrow!
In the past few weeks, the TMS team benefited greatly from the expertise of CAMSTL’s Graphic Designer Bruce Burton, Director of Finance and Administration Mary Walters and development team Allison Chao, Emily Klimek and Caron House. Outside input from guests Jessica Baran, Assistant Director of White Flag Projects, and Rachel Craft, Emily Augsburger and Courtney Henson from the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts gave insight into how other organizations operate and connect with audiences in new and unique ways. A big thanks to all Teen Museum Studies’ guests over the course of the program – without your help, we still would not know how to organize a budget, get an in-kind donation, document incoming art work, effectively advertise or plan a successful public program to reach out to our community.
With deadlines fast approaching, the TMS students have been extremely busy planning for the opening, designing t-shirts and invitations, deciding where to hang artwork, and writing their curatorial statement. The invites say “curated by Teen Museum Studies,” although it would be more accurate to say “everything done by Teen Museum Studies.” The final pieces should be falling into place over the next two days, hopefully in time for everyone to relax and enjoy all their hard work on July 20!
Be sure to check out the CAMSTL website by clicking here, as well as the TMS Facebook page for updates and more information about the opening!
My name is Josef Kanak and I am a Teen Museum Studies particpant.
WHAT GRADE LEVEL ARE YOU IN? I am homeschooled, in my senior year.
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE TEEN MUSEUM STUDIES AT THE CONTEMPORARY? I heard about Teen Museum Studies while participating in New Art in the Neighborhood in the Spring, which is another program at the Contemporary.
WHAT WERE YOUR EXPECTATIONS GOING INTO THE PROGRAM/WHAT DID YOU THINK THE EXPERIENCE WAS GOING TO BE LIKE?
My expectations going into the program were to both get an idea as to how a professional art exhibition is curated and to better understand how museums are run in general.
WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS YOU’VE LEARNED SO FAR THAT YOU THINK WILL HELP YOU LATER IN YOUR CAREER?
Of the many valuable things I learned through this program, I would have to cite the following especially: Learning and experiencing the curatorial process first-hand, understanding the minute details involved with simply deciding what pieces and what theme will be used, working within a fixed budget, and using pieces drawn from a small, select group of artists solely drawn from the flat files–working under strict deadline and within a limited budget–all of these will certainly be useful in my career.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE THING YOU’VE WORKED ON?
All of the decision making processes involved throughout, from deciding on the theme of the exhibition to what color to paint the gallery and even procuring the refreshments for the opening–all were enjoyable. The meticulous process of achieving these goals was very enjoyable and engaging.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY CHALLENGES IN THE PROGRAM? WHAT HAVE YOU HAD TO WORK THE HARDEST ON?
Everything was a welcoming challenge in some way or form. Certainly deciding on a theme for the show took a great deal of initiative on everyone’s part.
HOW LONG DO YOU THINK YOUR EXPERIENCE IN TEEN MUSEUM STUDIES WILL BENEFIT YOU IN THE LONG RUN?
Having this kind of first-hand experience within a museum will always be beneficial and will undoubtedly last a lifetime, whatever I aspire to do in a career. It’s very clear to me that working directly within a museum environment has enormous, tangible benefits and learning about all aspects of running a museum, engaging the public, understanding museum management while drawing on my creative inclinations as well, both behind the scenes and within the auspices of the exhibition, will prove invaluable in the future.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A STUDENT CONSIDERING APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM/ WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM TO EXPECT?
I would definitely encourage them to apply and explain the benefits of being a participant as outlined above. As to what they should expect, I would advise them to be willing to be flexible and be prepared to work in a team environment to achieving a common goal. I would also mention that they should be prepared to problem-solve, think creatively and have fun. Oh, and enjoy free lunches!
I am very happy to have participated in this program and will definitely encourage prospective students to apply.