Advice for Post Grad?

[bohemialo]

Hi all,

I am currently finishing up my Phd in English and Folklore and am considering moving out of teaching and into the museum world. I've had a pretty cool but maybe random trajectory through grad school and am trying to weigh my options at this point. My diss is on the exhibitions in the 19th century and the rise of anthropology/folklore and how it parallels the rise of regional writing in America- so I am basically writing about the intersections of regional art and regional writing. By a stroke of pure luck, I ended up getting an assistantship in our campus museum and since there was no curator at the time, I curated two seasons of exhibitions with the Director- mostly focused on Southern art (I am in Louisiana). I also was fortunate enough to work on education and implement a public program series of lectures for the community. 

So- I loved it, and I want to pursue museum work, in either education (I have a decade of experience teaching at the high school and college level) or curatorial. I have no desire to work in higher ed in terms of teaching, but I loved working in a campus museum. My true interests are American art and Southern studies- especially the Global South- which encompasses Latin and South America instead of just the United States. I'm really passionate about doing work that brings these artists and their work into larger conversations, and not just in a typical touristic way if that makes sense. I'm not truly that interested in studying canonical works or becoming an expert in those fields to be honest. I work with some groups and artists in New Orleans already that try and give visibility and larger representation through things like Prospect, etc. 

I would love some advice/thoughts on some paths for me post Ph.D. I def have experience but I do not have a museum studies degree, and am wondering if I should go back and pursue one? Since I am interested in advocacy and working with a particular group of art and artist community, Im wondering if Im a candidate for a program like Christie's- which is geared towards the art market? 

I've applied to some Post-doc fellowships in Folk Art and other things, but would just love to hear from some folks about if they're in programs and what they think.

Thanks!

 

[nudeinbrook]

IMO, you don't need a museum studies degree to work in the museum field. These are skills you can learn (and probably already have). I don't recommend Christie’s for what you want to do—that degree is geared more toward those seeking a gallery position. It’s also very expensive. You seem well versed in your field. You have a PhD and extensive museum experience, which is more than a lot of art history grads can say. I think adding more degrees to your CV rather than experience will hurt you, at this point.

From what you’ve said above, especially the bit about not wanting to study canonical works or the drive to become an expert in those fields, it sounds like traditional curatorial work is not for you. Have you considered a position as curator of public programs at a museum? Since you seem interested in advocacy and working with specific communities within contemporary art, this might be an alternative.

As I’m sure you know being a curator isn’t always about your degree especially if you’re in the contemporary field. It’s more about the artists with which you’ve built connections. It’s also about being a good project manager and fundraiser.

If you like working in a university museum, your PhD will help you especially if the art department is small. You might be able to teach and work in a public programs/outreach capacity.