GeneralistAdventurist

Don't kill yourself with a PhD in art history. There are two tracks you could go--before I give advice, I work at a few museums in NYC as an educator/in public programming/outreach/etc, at an arts education organization and have been where you are.... You could get an MA in Art History. This is a pretty popular way to go, seems to be the way a lot of folks figure will work as a 'next step'. You could get an MA in Museum Education. This is a pretty big thing in NYC...specifically Bank Street. But that is if you want to be in education, not curate. You could start by interning at a major museum and find someone who has a career you respect, and ask what they did. But seriously, don't kill yourself with a PhD if you want to work with the public. Not that it isn't incredibly helpful, amazing, honorable (I could never do it, so much respect for the academics I read before my tours/groups), you just don't need it.

Orlando they love it, tons of work though. I applied for Adult Programs, and am waiting with baited breath for MoMA to post their year long internship. Are you in NYC? Part of NYCMer?

Nope, nada. I spoke to some interns from this past year...they found out about interviews in May and job in July...uuuuggghhhh I actually really want this, so it's going to be a tough one if I don't get it. Orlando, did you apply for school/family or adult?

While I'm not applying/didn't apply this go around, I've gone back and forth on the advanced degree option. I'm leaning mcuh much more towards a PhD and I'm positive my driving force is to be a professor in a university setting. Background-I've worked at some major museums in NYC, as an intern, paid intern and educator (sometimes in that order). I love the museum world, but I find myself fascinated with my adult audience/college aged audience. The conversations and getting people excited about those amazing details that don't necessarily involve the date of a work or the medium...having a group of adults practice some sumi brush art after seeing Keith Haring...these are things I want to do. It's hard, I don't necessarily have a specific area I want to focus on-I'm such a generalist and find myself getting excited researching and talking about Asian art one day, Vermeer another and modern the next. Which is why I held back on applying this season. Anyone out there like me? I'm thinking CUNY-Grad for certain...but I have A LOT of other 'maybes' ugh. You all have my well wishes for the rest of this application season!

Hmm, I'd wait until the end of March. Don't rush it unless you have to make a decision elsewhere, you could be seen as pushy.

UGH, can we add the year long Brooklyn Museum internship in Museum Ed to that one? Plus, when are they posting the year long at MoMA...any other gap yearers applying?

I'd advise against calling. Email, maybe. I work at a few museums going through the internship game, and calls generally get irritable answers in return. Are you all applying for the unpaid MoMA internship? Or the year long? Anyone know when the year long positions get posted?

They haven't posted for the paid, year long internship yet have they? I've been stalking the site...and also applied to Brooklyn Museum's year long museum ed...

Coffee Mug-Thanks for your input! I've been going back and forth, because I could see myself wanting to curate one day--education at many of the museums I've worked for still involves A LOT of research, and generally works pretty closely with the curators. I'm hesitant about a museum studies program, mainly because I'm more interested in education than the business side of things. I know the well-rounded experience is important, but since I'm so focused on education/programming...What area of museums do you want to work in Coffee Mug? fullofpink-Thanks too! It's tough, because I'm kind of set on staying in NYC, don't want to apply to PhD programs, and am trying to get excited about a MA in Art History (which, I think I will) but the Theory program is what really interests me. Just in your opinion, if a MA in Art History and a MA in Museum Studies are worth essentially the same with experience, then would the Theory program be in that line as well? All of my museum experience has been in education...and it is indeed a small world of who you know... Thanks to you too losemygrip...I am indeed talking about Museum Education, and I'm also weighing the cost of a program to how much I'm going to make when I get out...no point in getting in loads of debt when I'll be making peanuts when I leave...

Hi Folks! I'm about to embark on my application process, and since everyone has an opinion, I'd like to get some from folks who have gone through the process to chime in... Background info first: I'm finishing up an Art History BA at a state school, with a 3.976, small academic writing based scholarship, started an art history club on campus, have some great faculty behind me, and was chosen to speak at a symposium on a paper I wrote. Outside of school, I've done two internships at well-known museums in NYC, got a scholarship to a museum education roundtable, wrote a reflection for their website, work as an educator for an art museum and object/historical museum, and just got accepted into a year-long guide training at a major museum. Ultimately, I want to work in programming/education. I'm pretty solidly a generalist; I have a lot of interest in modern more than I do not think I want to curate, so I am not looking at PhD programs. I'm signed up to take the GRE September 17 (GULP) and have been going through a practice book for the past month and will continue to do so. The real question: I'm extremely interested in a new program-new new, like beginning the year I would enter grad school. I've had a few advisors feel not completely sold on the idea of a new program, their reasoning being that I should aim higher, apply for Art History MA's, etc. I haven't gotten this excited about ANY program...but I also don't want to put all of my eggs in one basket, so I am taking the advice of my advisor, and casting a wide web. Here are the schools I'm interested in: BU (MA General Track) U-Del Williams Hunter SVA-MA Critical Theory and The Arts (This is the new program) What is the opinion on a new program vs an established program? Any other educators out there? Thanks in advance!!

Hi there! I applied as an undergrad-but can give you a bit of info I've figured out. The Met does not disclose this info-I do know that it's one of the toughest internships to get, and upwards of 1500 people apply for 40 spaces. That number includes the Cloisters I believe-and that is disclosed on the Met website. I don't know how people ultimately get chosen. I think it depends a lot on the departments you are interested in, as well as your background. As an undergrad, I have an internship at the Guggenheim LTA Program under my belt, a 3.96, lots of education experience and a 'different' background (acting) prior to my pursuit of an Art History degree. Now, I'm fancier because I got a paid internship at The Frick (woo), just got offered a school guide position (woo woo) and next semester will be taking loads more art history credits. Best of luck everyone on intern-views! =)

Me either . Any undergrads hear anything? I'm a rising senior... Best of luck folks!

You know, I'm ok. I was SUPER down about it the past few days, especially since I recently found out my EFC dollar amount was too high to apply to the Arts Intern program--which now puts me 'out' of an internship at the Frick, Folk Art Museum AND Noguchi Museum...I'm writing it off to a summer of 'almosts' and hitting my reset button. I am kind of shocked none of us got called for interviews. Especially since we range in areas of interest, graduate v. undergraduate, etc. Please...any lurkers, make me feel better and say "hey I got called in" so I know people ACTUALLY get called in...

Word to that. Le sigh as well.

I do have other stuff on the horizon... But I assumed a definitive answer prior to April 1st. I should take it as such. I hoped one of us would hear something!!!

My post was sent too soon. I have no idea what that cryptic email means. I do know I tend toward pessimism when I really have my heart set on something...

Ooh posted too soon. Regardless, no call for me today. hope you all have better news!

So I got an email today in response to my will we know either way question. Thank you for your email. Our office is contacting finalists to arrange interviews; if you have not been invited for an interview, then you were not selected as a finalist. Final notifications will be sent to all applicants via email on April 1, 2011. Thank you again for the effort you devoted to your applicatio

Good vibes sent to all!! =) Jen

Hi there! I'm joining the 'waiting on pins and needles' group. I am too a semi-finalist (undergrad) and am waiting to hear back regarding a finalist status. I actually sent an email yesterday, because I am also up for an internship at the Frick-and they have asked my status I'm an Art History major, but am gearing towards Museum Education. Swear to all I'll let you know when/if I hear something if you all would do the same! Best, Jen