ArtHistoryandMuseum

^^ Haha, blergh indeed. Seeking an applicable GIF starring Liz Lemon...... (Too many GIFs! Too many GIFs!)

Haha, I wish there was a MA in Art History at Middlebury! The hands on training with the college's museum collections, and its staff, would be so fantastic. Sigh

That's nice of you to commiserate. Being a craft/micro brew beer gal myself, there's a pub in the downtown here, with small samples of their various microbrews from the taps. Each few ounce glass is a dollar, and it's fun to customize your palette. Choosing different brews from the tap is not just fun in itself, it's at least a tad distracting from real-world realities... So I heartily recommend: a local brewery/pub! Oh and, you can usually order some snacks. Cheers!

Rashomon anyone? Apparently, the films by Akira Kurosawa are streaming free on Hulu this weekend: http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/03/22/kurosawa_on_hulu_seven_samurai_rashomon_and_22_more_movies_are_streaming.html?wpisrc=obinsite

I'd say CrazyCatLady is spot on with the archival work growing toward metadata/technology, and I can imagine that the archival field (nestled often with museums) is inundated with applicants. However, I'm in the museum field and I've worked with archivists. I have seen at least one example of a history background. Then again it was a small history museum. That might be rare elsewhere. I'd recommend checking out archival jobs, and seeing if you'd like the work description, and/or the academic qualifications, which are sought or required for ideal candidates. Something else to consider -- Do you like objects (over paper)? Prefer to work with history in a museum? Have you considered a history MA, and a public history or museum studies option? Honestly, I see those a better match, than a history MA and a MLS. I believe you'll also be more marketable having skills and the content. Lastly, training for archival work is primarily for archivist work, whereas a museum studies or public history option is a little more open to a variety of roles in a museum setting. It may not be for you, but it is something to consider.

I'd seek out sporting companies -- bags are designed for functionality... but also are with some style pizzazz. My own reputable brown and black plaid laptop messenger bag that I've carted through many states (without looking worn) is Dakine, but Burton would be another reliable option. As an art history PhD hopeful, I particularly love fun-colored functional bags like this: http://www.bagking.com/burton-synth-messenger.html Here is Burton's website (scroll for messenger bags): http://www.burton.com/womens-bags-luggage-packs/womens-packs,default,sc.html Here is Dakine website (filter for laptop-holding bags): http://www.dakine.com/w/womens/shoulder-bags#4=43

Have you worked or volunteered in a museum before? I have two questions for you to consider: Regarding the option of USC 1) If you haven't worked in a museum, getting into the museum field is super competitive. Of course, this depends your connections, the location of the museum, and type(s) of museum job sought, as well as USC's preparation/job placement rate, but I'd *highly* recommend NOT assuming immediate employment upon receipt of the degree as a given fact. Generally, as you may know, there are so many applicants for a single position. Having an advanced degree, plus any internships, though, might get you an interview for a job. (Obtaining museum experience, along with the degree, is a critical part. I cannot emphasize that enough!) Regarding the option of UG 2) Whether you've worked or a museum or not, could you work or intern during the MA program? It would be helpful to build experience, and maintain an active tie to museum work, during your studies. However, some departments don't look favorably upon the museum route... or even if they would, I'd still check in with the department if working alongside, earning your degree, is wise or acceptable. NB: I've been involved with the museum field for the last several years. I also have a MA in Museum Studies. Second, I don't know much regarding history programs to help you. I'm actually most interested in the American Revolution and the styles of furniture which manifested during that time. (Though I do have eclectic 20th century interests: Louis Comfort Tiffany, Anne Frank/Holocaust, McCarthyism -- so, hi there!) Bottom line: If you want my recommendation, I'd say do the MA, prove yourself as a scholar, try to work or volunteer at a museum (school breaks or during the school year), and then reapply for PhD programs. You may find through your work as a MA student, you are a much stronger PhD candidate. You may also discover the joys of working in a history museum. :-)

I've found enjoyment, and bits of relevance to my field of study, in the following films: Marie Antoinette (2006) Coco Before Chanel (2009) and a tad of a stretch, The King's Speech (2010) Although others may find these selections of personal or academic interest, in my mind this post is probably most helpful for Material Culture/Dec Arts folk -- for which I'm happy to elaborate, ask me here or PM me for details. As, for the modern crew, is the recent movie "Pollock" worthy of a suggestion? It's in my cable queue. Oooh - that reminds me. While I'm not in contemporary, I put the documentary on Marina Abramovic also in my queue...

Ooops - sorry I meant to answer your questions, "What about you? What's your plan of action?" The short answer, I've been working on it. :-) The longer answer, I'll have to PM you. I'll be in touch soon!

Usually it is best to be patient, but sometimes pushing may give you the answer sooner so you can move forward with your life. I'd recommend going the route of the graduate coordinator, however that person is likely in contact with the department. So keep that in mind as you request information. Perhaps put it in terms of "I'm curious about if there's a timeframe for a decision?", instead of "What is my status right now". Subtly different... but hopefully you'll be seen favorably "as curious" and not impatient "where's my status update?". From my own experience following up, I did get silence. Only to get a physical rejection letter the next day. The two actions were not tied in my case (the mailed letter pre-dated my inquiry), but yours COULD be. Keep your requests simple and professional

I'm in the humanities, but this bit especially made me uber sad. So much talent not given the chance.

For your boyfriend: Once you find out where you'll be living, use that local address on your job applications. Like other cities which may be pricey/which may have a ton of applicants (I'm thinking of New York City), applying with a Boston address may help. However, if applying for a job from where you are now, perhaps make a note in your application that you'll be planning to move into Boston and be available by "X" date. Primarily, I make these suggestions because I have seen proof of residency required for some jobs in Boston. Albeit in the humanities (Boston Public Library), but I imagine it couldn't hurt your candidacy to be upfront.

Thank you so much, Lizelle85! MFA Boston is wonderful. Through my icon selection of Paul Revere II, you can tell I love the museum, too! I'm an Americanist, so I'm a huge fan of their new Art of the Americas wing :-) Indeed, I'm in beautiful snowy New England. Feel free to ask me, if you want any info on the six states or museums, I'd be happy to share what I know. In the meantime, I am wishing you the best of luck this year, and I will look forward to listening to your podcast!

I just PM'd you!

For housing in the area, did you check out the Grad Cafe City Guide on Washington DC? Is your NGA appointment located IN Washington DC? You may not have to live IN the city, but I'd recommend scouting out housing on a public transit line which will get you there easily. Also, I would compare housing costs in nearby Baltimore and Alexandria (especially Alexandria if you are interested in early American history/material culture). Lastly, a couple of years ago, I attended a museum conference in Baltimore. However, I stayed in campus housing in Washington DC. So it is doable to commute between the cities for a morning start (I used the MARC and Baltimore has free City Circulator buses)... but keep in mind, I was only commuting for a week. Because you are working an entire summer, the rail expenses, the stress of making a train, and the earlier mornings may be more headache for you.

Congratulations!

I should clarify -- I did not apply to the University of Utah, but I was attempting to be empathic through my experience of being rejected from my top choice. In any regard, it seems to me, lizelle85, you have excellent experience. Any number of things, in your control and not, could have triggered a rejection. All you can do is see if you can get feedback and do your best to put together an even better package of who you are intellectually and professionally. For my own rejection, I felt terrible for awhile. I felt humiliated that I let my letter writers down, who all enthusiastically supported me applying; two of which knew my top choice school extremely well. However, it helped me when I informed them/asked if they'd save my letter, they all empathized to try again, and wrote "next time!" That aided me a lot mentally, going forward.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Salt Lake City is not for me with its terrible smog, but the University of Utah does have a wonderful art museum causing me to be a repeat visitor (I don't know anything about the MA program). I could see how that university could be desirable for academic and professional training. After you process the rejection, do you think you'll find the energy to reapply to the U, or perhaps, consider other grad programs in the future? Personally, I was a candidate for Fall 2013 and I was rejected. However, I am optimistic about putting together an even more attractive application for 2014. In retrospect, the rejection I received from my top choice actually may have helped me in disguise. While it irritated me to feel delayed from advancing academically in my field, I recognized that I have more time to prepare for the rigors of any graduate program, as well as read extensively in my field. Anyway, I hope you find peace with your application results, and I sincerely hope it inspires you forward!

With your savings, you could elect take a few undergrad courses in your field, to support your case that you matured academically and are ready for advanced future study. These courses need not be from your current institution. However, I would check in to see how they'd be viewed/valued by the institution you seek matriculation.

On the art history subforum, there was a related thread asking for any insight on the possibility of pursuing a PhD in Art History, while having a philosophy background:

I checked out the website for MIT. My state has increased the minimum wage (YAY), and that is not reflected on the website (BOO). Also, housing expenses (and preferences for standard of living) vary, as you'd might guess. Going through Padmapper or Craigslist may give you a better picture of the expected expenses you'll incur in the area. Furthermore, I would not take the listed on the website all 100% as fact as of today (the data might have been accurate at one time), and also ymmv.

Crispina, that would be fantastic. Thank you so much!

All sounds great, I'll be in touch (with you, with them, with DGS, everyone)!

Thank you so much for the reply, Bearcat1. I am going to wait a few weeks until application madness dies down, but absolutely, I do plan to follow up with the DGS. By then, I should also be further away from my rejection, and I'll be able to ask with a clearer mind... About Bard Graduate Center: I just might pick your brain about it! Indeed, the PhD route may be the right way forward. The primarily reason I was thinking apply for a master's degree first such as Winterthur was to get the training/groundwork in decorative arts and furniture, as I am not at the point of knowing precisely my dissertation topic, and as I am still exploring. I also thought I would be able to prove myself through the MA program for specific research in the field, and then apply for PhD programs of the very best fit. I'd be keeping my options open that way. Regarding WPAMC, I realized after posting my topic that there would be a very tiny percentage on Grad Cafe who had applied. I imagine the up vote on my post indicates however someone is just as interested in improving their application (or at least curious)!

Hello everyone: I was unsuccessful this year, and I'd like to submit a stronger application for 2014. Whether you are a current fellow, recipient of an interview invite, graduate of the program (or another field) at the University of Delaware, unsuccessful applicant, or have any information about this unique master's program, I would love to have your thoughts: I recognize successful candidates have all kinds of backgrounds -- varying academic degrees, different experiences in museums, disparate intellectual interests -- how can I make what I have going for me (MA in Museum Studies, couple of paid museum internships, curiosity about the passage from the styles of Chippendale/Rococo to Federal during the American Revolution) attractive to the committee? What do you suspect made you shine during the review of applications? With the hopes of making it in the second time, what are the things I should be doing over the next several months to prepare? Visit more auction houses? See particular museums? Sit in a class? I've subscribed to AFA and read The Magazine Antiques. What about books, publications, articles, theorists, or authors you'd recommend? Hindsight, they say, is twenty-twenty. What are the things that you wished you had included in your application, or done personally to ready yourself for the rigors of the program? Related to the studies of decorative arts, design, and American material culture -- what other graduate programs were you considering, or applied for? Boston University's American and New England Studies? Bard Graduate Center? Yale's Art History Department (WPEAC grad: Edward Cooke, Jr)? Did you get funding (as I shied away particularly from BGC for fear of the high costs of living)? Did you matriculate in any of these or other academic programs, instead of Winterthur? Any regrets? Since being involved with Winterthur, what were or are your academic plans for the future? Did this involvement, in any capacity, help you? I'd like to work with decorative arts and furniture, ideally in a university setting, but I'm open to the possibility of auction house work. I'm particularly interested in artifacts from the 17th century through the 19th. Do you have any other suggestions for a Fall 2014 hopeful? Lastly, I'd really like to hear any encouraging stories! Were any of you a repeat applicant, and then had success of an interview or admission? I'd also like to hear from alumni or students of University of Delaware, who were in other fields e.g. art history, history, museum studies, and who recommend striving for a PhD at the same institution instead (I already have a MA in Museum Studies)? Did any of you apply for both Winterthur and another program at UD in the same cycle? As PhD is the route I want to go eventually, I would be interested in a PhD program at UD which works with Winterthur, as I would love the adjacent ability to work with the early American collections and colonial revival interiors of Winterthur Museum. However, I worry without making it into WPAMC, I won't get enough training in connoisseurship, and all the wonderful things that the Winterthur Program does, such as the field trips, extensive study of decorative arts/furniture, museum work placements. Any thoughts? These questions all go without saying: I'll also be working to improve my writing sample, statement of purpose, supplemental essay, and GRE scores, in that order. Notes: *Cross-posted to Art History subforum* Wondering where do material culture and object-centered studies best fit? Also, wondering if my interdisciplinary interests in early America fits "American Studies"?