Education Intern Grace Burnworth (second from right) worked closely with the Teen Museum Studies students on their exhibition Hindsight

As the summer began, I wasn’t entirely sure what exactly composed the education intern at the Contemporary. In the first week, I was a little nervous about what I had gotten into. Eleven high school students came to the museum prepared to participate in the Teen Museum Studies Program. I don’t think any of us had anticipated the whirlwind of work, fun, and collaboration we were about to experience. While I was struggling to learn names, the teens were collaborating to create the show they all imagined. From walking to the framers to spray-painting t-shirts, I’ve enjoyed overseeing it all.

Little did I know, upon applying to this internship just how much it would come to mean to me. Each week, I looked forward to Thursday and Friday afternoons to see what tasks the teens will try to tackle. One of my favorite moments each week was when the students encountered a difference of opinion and worked through it. Whether by voting, discussion, or executive decision, they accomplished their work. But really, it is much more than an accomplishment. The amount of knowledge these students have gained in art history, in working as a group, and in museum work, is immeasurable. And even then, I haven’t mentioned the deep friendships I have watched unfold. To say that I have enjoyed working with this program is quite an understatement. Rather, this program has given me a passion to continue art education—to bring knowledge and love of art and expose it to teens.

Along the way, the students came up with this theme: “Hindsight: portraying childhood’s perspectives and history’s present impressions.” They may not realize it now, but I feel confident in saying these teens will not recognize the deep decisions, realities, and knowledge gained until after the programs occurrence….when the show they created exists only in Hindsight.

Summer 2011 Development Intern Timothy Young

Robert Lane Greene recently published a book titled You Are What You Speak in which he argues that language is constantly evolving and to insist that its rules at any self-prescribed time have peaked in linguistic expression and beauty would miss the point. I agree with Greene. Language does not decline as countless writers and instructors have worried for centuries. For neither good nor bad, it changes. Among other things, language creates new words, forgets and remembers old ones, and includes foreign influences as determined by its current speakers. That is to say, it’s always contemporary (from L. com- “with” + temporarius “of time,” from tempus “time.” Meaning “modern, characteristic of the present.”).

With this in mind, I think it’s exciting to be interning at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, using a traditional, contemporary form of art and communication: written language. While I improve my writing and editing skills through grant writing, CAM’s development internship affords me the opportunity to view and absorb contemporary art and culture, participate in museum events and programs, and understand the administrative operations of a museum. Despite this being a time when arts funding takes a back seat, I’ve enjoyed learning all I can about CAM and using that knowledge to research funding prospects. Sure, grant writing can be dry; any grant writer will tell you it’s a most unglamorous form of writing. Nonetheless, grant writing is an absolutely priceless skill, and to be involved in the development process for CAM, one of St. Louis’ most valuable arts and cultural institutions, is a rockin’ experience.

Summer 2011 Curatorial Intern Laura Barone

Because of the small staff and close knit environment at CAM, no matter what department you are interning with, you are bound to interact with, help out, and learn from nearly all the departments at the museum. From attending and volunteering at the wide-range of events CAM offers to every-day office chat, you’ll really get a glimpse into the kind of committed group effort it takes to run an exciting and community-relevant, contemporary, non-profit art museum.

As a curatorial intern, I have had a wide-range of responsibilities. I have gotten a sneak-peak at cutting-edge, upcoming exhibitions and Front room shows and have written materials that will eventually be used by the public. Research is key as a curatorial intern, from quick assignments, to more long-term projects, and having the confidence and determination to pursue the most accurate and compelling information about exhibitions, artists, and their practice is crucial to the internship. There is also frequent interaction with artists, galleries, and other curators, and so you’ll meet and speak with a variety of people, developing contacts and art-world knowledge. Overall, interning at CAM is just such a privilege, being exposed to new and challenging art on a daily basis and being a part of such a friendly, fun, and dedicated museum staff.

Summer 2011 Curatorial Intern Kate Lipton

As an art student and St. Louis native, it seems logical that I was interested in a summer internship position at CAM. Initially, I was unsure of what to expect, but as time passes, it becomes very clear just how beneficial it has been to have this experience. I have learned a lot already from the research and other projects that I have been assigned to, and it is exciting to be able to help out with so many things for the Contemporary, which is an organization that I admire for its active engagement with its surrounding community and city.

Being an intern at CAM has allowed me to observe and begin to understand the process of how a museum works from the inside. By working on projects that are assigned to me, I am able to gain a more comprehensive knowledge of the kind of work that needs to be done to allow a museum to run smoothly, whether it is by observation of others’ work or by experiencing something through direct involvement.

PR/Marketing Intern Ruding Tang and Developement and Special Events Manager Emily DeCenso
ALIVE Magazine’s Sips in the City
June 10^th, 2011
All rights reserved by ALIVE Magazine

I knew I wanted an internship where I could contribute something. So I knew that I would have better luck with a smaller-nonprofit institution, so the Contemporary was really the perfect fit. I have already worked on many projects varying from press kits, to social media, to radio sponsorships. It was a wide range of tasks and I felt that even though I am merely an intern, I’ve helped the museum’s mission of showcasing the art of today to a broader audience. And I’m glad I am part of an institution that not only showcases art but also gives back to the community with programs dedicated to teens and local artists.

What I love most about my internship here at the Contemporary is the variety of hands-on activities I’ve been able to participate in. Within my first two weeks of interning, I’d already been onsite promoting for CAM at The Riverfront Times 2011 Music Showcase and ALIVE Magazine’s monthly Sips in the City. It was fun to talk to passersby about CAM, asking them about their past experiences with CAM and informing them about CAM’s upcoming events. Many people were surprised to find out that there was a museum such as ours that have programs catered for all ages, the extremely social events we host, and the versatility of our exhibitions.

My first week of work as an intern with the Contemporary was a real eye opener to just how much work goes on behind the scenes to make an opening appear effortless. As a museum visitor, I took many things for granted. Things like security, beverages, installation, art labels and gallery guides just magically happen, right? Well, not really. I never thought about how someone has to fold and hole-punch all those gallery guides. How someone has to design those labels and signs. How someone has to work with representatives from other companies to arrange for security and beverage service. Someone even has to move and build the walls! Even more happens behind the scenes like dinners and numerous meetings with the artists. It’s amazing that all this (and MUCH more) is accomplished with a staff of 13 (and a few eager interns), and I’m thrilled to be here for it all.

So, next time you visit the Contemporary, take a second to look around and notice all the little things that add up to one great experience. Oh, and think twice before you throw away that gallery guide!

Heather Tribbett is an intern in the Development Department

What’s all the excitement? On Sunday, January 3, the CAM hosted the Piñata Closing Party for the end of the exhibition, For the blind man… For my first event with the CAM, I was intrigued to discover the large community involvement and the amazing amount of excitement that unfolded. People of all ages came out to take a swing and enjoy complimentary appetizers. After an hour of blindfolded people at bat, the piñata busted and kids, teens, and parents rushed to gather the hidden goodies. With tons of energy and laughter filling the museum, this was truly a great way to begin my internship.

After the cleanup and all the goodbyes, I gathered with Cole and a few others to start the removal of the exhibition. The prep work, organization, and the art removal itself, all has to be done with such intricate details. We started section by section, removing pieces and collecting evidence for the condition reports. Handling the art in such an intimate, delicate fashion gave me the chance to interpret each piece on an individual basis. Though I didn’t have a chance to stay to help finish up that evening, the next experience will be just as interesting and exciting.

Tabitha Schnurbusch is an intern in the Exhibitions Department

Last year, the winter in St. Louis left devastating effects, as St. Louis NPR reporter Tom Weber reported, “hundreds of thousands were waiting for electricity and temperatures hovered in the teens and 20s, slowing down cleaning efforts. . .”  This year, St. Louis is still cold (but much better), and I’m sad to report that our friend Tom Weber will be moving to a much colder and snow-filled area – Minnesota, to continue his broadcast career at another NPR affiliate station.  We’ll miss him; he was great for St. Louis.  What to do? Well, let’s get away from this cold, let’s talk sunshine…  

The Contemporary’s Collectors group just returned from its annual trip to Art Basel Miami Beach.  With the recent weather in St. Louis, I would go to Miami for a dentist convention (just joking, Dr. Spataro).  This is the 6th year for the art fair and each year it has grown tremendously.  The proof that art can create economy for a city (and a tremendous one at that) is evident every December in Miami.  More than 40,000 people traveled to this exhilarating city the first week in December and the draw (no pun intended) was contemporary art.  We’ll be returning next year so if you want some of this sunshine and fun, ask about the Contemporary’s Collectors group and how to join.  You can email Erinn at Erinn.gavaghan@contemporarystl.org for more info on joining the group.

It was great, but it was almost too much (key word there being almost).  In addition to the main art fair representing more than 200 galleries from all over the world, there were 20 satellite art fairs.  If you do the math, that’s a lot of galleries and works of art to see.  Thank goodness that the evenings allowed you to unwind in some of the amazingly beautiful (and expensive) restaurants and clubs.  Do you think the prices go down when the fair leaves the city?  Just curious.  The art market seems to be oblivious to the current economic trends and all the booths reported brisk sales.  This year was tremendously interesting.  It’s Samual Keller’s last year as the director of Art Basel –he’s moving onto be the director of the Beyler Foundation.  As far as music goes, I deeply missed both Iggy Pop and Dear Hoof.  And celebrity sightings—well, there were too many to name.  So, if you like art, a scene, and being warm in December, you should think about coming to the next year’s fair.  Give yourself a break, be nice to yourself.  You’ll thank me next December. 
Your friendly Contemporary Blog Intern. 

Dzine, an artist Contemporary once exhibited, shows off his work for Deitch Project

 Laura Fried, Contemporary’s Assistant Curator, Dzine, Susan and David Sherman

Artist, Amy Granat along with Anthony Huberman, Contemporary’s Chief Curator