April 11, 2016; Blog #10
Q: Has this experience been a rewarding one for you? Why or why not? How has the reality of your internship matched or contrasted with your expectations? What is the most important learning you did during your internship?
The months I spent at the Museum of Contemporary Art were eye-opening and very rewarding for me. Getting the opportunity to learn in a professional environment under experienced individuals is amazing in itself. I don’t see how this couldn’t have been a rewarding experience for me, quite honestly. Going into this, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I was nervous, scared, and excited all at once. I knew that I was going to be expected to perform my tasks as any employee would, and that even though I was a teenager, a less experienced intern, I needed to keep up and learn from my surroundings. I was surprised by the atmosphere in the staff office. When I became aware that I was going to be in a box office environment, I instantly thought that I would constantly hear a printer groaning in the background, be surrounded by gray walls and bright computer screens. However, every time I went in, I was greeted by friendly coworkers that took their work seriously but created an uplifting and light atmosphere all the same. There was work being done, but there was also laughter and the occasional flurry of bubbles. This leads me to my next point of saying that the most important thing I learned was that while it’s important to be professional, efficient and focused, it’s just as important to enjoy what you do. I acknowledge the fact that it’s very valuable to be professional, efficient, and work-oriented, but I’ve also gotten a new sense of awareness about how much I want to be working in a career field that I’m passionate about.
April 3, 2016; Blog #9
Q: What have you seen or experienced in your internship that has inspired you the most on your own artistic journey? Has this experience changed your artistic ambitions? How?
During my time as an intern, I have been able to gain new insight on what it means to be creative. As I’ve said before, there is no “right” way to be an artist. However, this concept stood out to me even more while I’ve been at the MCA. This past Friday, I went to the museum’s event “Drake Cakes”. (Yes, that is exactly what it sounds like; we decorated cakes to make them Drake themed.) Well, whenever I walked around the room, I stole a few glances at the other attendee’s cakes. None of them looked similar. But, that’s what made it all so great. They were all so unique and individualistic. Maybe some of the people there didn’t think their cake turned out very well, but the fact of the matter was that it was still cake! It was still delicious and it still managed to put a smile on their faces. We all came to this event to have fun and that’s what we did.
It’s the same thing with art. It comes in different forms and sprouts from different sources of inspiration, but it’s art all the same. People who create it do it out of passion, and when they share it, they help something spark in the minds of others. That’s what inspired me the most. It didn’t make me change anything exactly, but it made me want to continue what I was doing: expressing my love for the arts. I want to continue to better my skills and allow my confidence to grow, so I can put my work out there and share it with those who have the same passions. Not one artist is exactly the same, so why not be proud of your own individual representation of one?
March 21, 2016; Blog #8
Q: How is your internship project going? Describe the progress of your project. How did the conversation about your project go with your sponsor? (If you haven’t discussed the project with your sponsor yet, how do you plan to do so?) Did they have good insights into how to improve or expand the project? How does your project bridge what you do at your internship and what you like to create for yourself? Has your relationship with your sponsor evolved as you have engaged in a creative dialogue about your project? Are there any challenges you are experiencing planning or doing your project?
I am very much guilty of procrastinating. With that being said, I have not begun my internship project. All I have thus far is a vague idea for what I want it to be and how I want to go about doing it. I didn’t want to talk about it with my sponsor without having a full concrete idea of what I plan to create. Simply saying “a painting” is not very much to go crazy over. Therefore, I want to have a plan and a detailed sketch of what I want my finished project to look like before I present it to Ama. It’ll make it easier for her to grasp my ideas and give me helpful feedback.
Due to the fact that I haven’t, you know, actually started my project, I haven’t run into any difficulties…yet. However, I already know that I will struggle with two things: starting it and finishing it. I say this because, usually, when I have a fantastic idea for a new piece of art, I never know how to begin. I could have the whole thing mapped out, and I’d still be unsure of where to place the first drop of paint. When I’m “done” with a piece, I look at it for a very, very long time until I think to myself, “no no no no, this is nowhere near complete, what were you thinking?” Because of that, I go on to add more paint to spots that probably…didn’t..need more paint. Such is the life of a perfectionist with a love for messy things.
My project is- er- will be a great visual representation for the connection between the MCA and the love for creating that lives within me. The MCA is, lives, and breathes modern art. The art of our time. It celebrates the creativity that thrives among the people around us. Art doesn’t have to be worn and yellowed with age to be worth something. The beautiful thing about art is that it can be present in any time or place. That is what I want to represent in my project. I’m not Michelangelo, Salvador Dali, or Vincent van Gogh. I haven’t touched the ceilings of cathedrals with my paintbrushes or gotten exhibits dedicated to my work in museums. I’m a seventeen year old girl who struggles with drawing hands, remembering to update my tumblr with new art, and keeping my cat’s paws away from my unfinished, still-wet paintings. But, why should that mean that I’m not an artist, right? I love art, creating, bringing something new into our world, and I want to honor my passions the way the MCA honors newfound artists and their work.
March 7, 2016; Blog #7
Q: What is the difference between working on personal art projects and working in a creative business? What have you learned about working in a creative business?
Personal and professional are two aspects that clash constantly. In my point of view, the difference between working on personal art projects and working in a creative business isn’t that huge. With a personal art project, you can literally do anything you want. A personal project can be anything you want it to be because, well, it’s for your own self expression. You only have to take your own vision and feelings into consideration. However, not all that could be said for the circumstances of working in a creative business. When this is the case, you have to collaborate with the other members of your team. You can’t place your own ideas over everyone else’s because everyone’s opinions matter. You have to consider what is being said and suggested when you work in a creative business.
I’ve learned that working in a creative business requires a lot, and I mean, a lot of teamwork. You can’t solely depend on yourself because there are coworkers who are essential to your job. You work towards the same goals, and since that is the case, you depend on one another to accomplish what must be done. If you slack off, there’s a high chance that your lack of effort will negatively impact your coworkers.
February 29, 2016; Blog #6
Q: How do people at work treat you? How does it make you feel? If you have in intern one day will you treat them the same? What have you learned so far from your co-workers and sponsor?
I feel that I’m treated well by the people around me at work. Even though the vast majority of them are busy with their own work, they still treat me nicely and politely when they do interact with me. I strongly appreciate this because it takes the still-lingering intimidation factor down a notch. I don’t get upset when the people I work with don’t acknowledge me all the time because I understand that they have their own matters to attend to. I’m respectful towards their time and the way they choose to spend it. I don’t feel cast out when I notice that they’re all putting their effort into something else, I actually get a sense of awe. I think it’s very impressive how invested they are into the tasks they have at hand and how focused in they are on them. If I was as busy as any of my coworkers, I’d say that I would treat an intern of my own similarly. However, a detail I would change would be that I’d try to include them more often. For example, recently, I was allowed to take part of a Failure Lab brainstorm session. In which, I was able to listen to discussions and ideas for the weekly Friday teen events at the MCA. I would try to find more opportunities like that for my intern to be a part of.
So far, something I’ve learned is the importance of staying focused on my work. I get distracted and sidetracked so easily, that sometimes I can’t finish an assignment I could’ve easily completed a while ago. I look around the office and I see everyone making phone calls, going to meetings, and working swiftly on their computers. Everyone’s being so productive that it reminds me that my work ethic is very important and still needs improving.
February 22, 2016; Blog #5
Q: How do you feel like your internship is going so far? What are the highlights and the “lowlights”? Do you feel like you are making connections with your co-workers? What can you do to improve your experience?
I really enjoy being at the MCA, and I feel lucky to be able to be an intern there. One of my favorite things about interning there is the art I get to see. I adore being able to have access to the exhibits when I take small breaks, it relaxes me and reminds me why I’m here. If I had to say something I’m a bit disappointed by, it would be the miniscule amount of actual creative work. I was hoping I’d be able to express myself through art itself. However, we are a museum after all, it’s just not my work that they’re showcasing.
I’m still feeling a bit distant from my coworkers, but it’s not their fault. I’m a soft spoken person, so I struggle when it comes to talking to other people…especially if they’re older..and more experienced..and knowledgeable about the things I love. My plan is to try to become a team member instead of just being an intern. I want to try to include myself, but I don’t mean that I’ll barge in on a personal conversation whenever i want. I simply mean that I want to make my presence known.
February 16, 2016; Blog #4
Q: What are you responsible for at your workplace? What do you think is your main contribution to your work site? What do your day to day duties look like?
Most of the time, I’m responsible for completing any tasks that Ama assigns me. Of course, that’s a bit obvious, isn’t it? The outlook of my day depends on what I’m expected to do. For example, a week or so ago, I had to be upstairs on the main and third floors to peel off the vinyl lettering on the walls. The museum was being renovated for new exhibitions, so I had to lend a hand with getting things ready. However, there are also times when I have to stay in the office to do any research Ama needs my assistance with. This hasn’t happened very often, but when I’ve completed all the work I was given, I helped out a few other coworkers with their workload. (Filing. It’s easy to see why so many people keep pushing it off.) Lately, I’ve mostly been staying down the the office to complete editing some spreadsheets that Ama needs, and given the thickness of the printed version, I’ve still got a ways to go.
I believe that my main contribution to the MCA is simply to help out in any way I can. I may not be as experienced as all the other staff members, but I’m just as capable of lending a hand as anyone else is. I do what I am needed to do, and I still manage to have fun doing it.
February 7, 2016; Blog #3
Q: How do your actions affect your workplace? Do you contribute positively? How do your co-workers’ actions affect your internship? Which co-workers are you connecting with?
Even though I’m still a fairly new member to the MCA staff and environment, I know that the way I act and present myself matters. If I’m rude and inconsiderate towards those working around me, I’m creating a negative and unproductive work space. Therefore, I try to keep distractions to a minimum, so I can allow my co-workers to proceed with their duties in peace. I get straight to work when I arrive at the MCA, and I stay focused on my own tasks so I won’t risk taking away someone else’s attention from their own. My co-workers’ actions matter as well, due to the fact that they’re setting an example for me. They’re giving me a better idea of what my future could possibly look like, so they directly affect me by influencing me to go above and beyond with this internship.
However, I also think I need to work on being more present in our workplace. I haven’t really made much of a connection with my co-workers, and I wish to change that. They are an important part of this experience, and I think it would help me out during my process of learning all there is to know about this career field. I’ve always had trouble reaching out and making my presence known, but I have the chance to grow and improve. I don’t want to disrupt my co-workers while they are trying to manage their own responsibilities, but I do want to attempt to create professional relationships amongst them. I’m certain there’s a way to take their work into consideration and still connect with them.
February 1, 2016; Blog #2
Q: What was the best thing that happened this week at your internship? How did it make you feel? What else makes you excited about your internship?
The best thing that happened this week was that I completed my research on the artists who will be featured in upcoming exhibits. I put together training guides for artists Brian Bress, Arne Svenson, Laura Shill, and Lanny DeVuono. Basically, I compiled information on these artists and organized it the way I was asked. It might not seem like a very big deal, but the fact that I finished this mini project means that I will be moving on to other tasks assigned to me. I’m looking forward to that because I know that I’ll be faced with more opportunities to learn and gain a better understanding of the way things function in a workplace like this one. I’ve taken a step towards something more, and I feel accomplished. This internship isn’t something I want to take lightly, so I feel a sense of joy when I’m able to push forward, do my work and do it well.
I’m looking forward to the new exhibits that are going to be featured at the MCA. I was thoroughly fascinated with Marilyn Minter’s Pretty/Dirty collection, so I can’t wait to see new pieces of art I’ve never been exposed to before. Being in an environment as artistically diverse as the MCA’s is an honor to me, and I’m eager to see more of the work that comes its way.
January 24, 2016; Blog #1
Q: What did you learn from your first week at your internship? Did anything surprise you? Who did you meet and what do they do? Did you engage in any code switching?
My first week at the Museum of Contemporary Art didn’t go as I imagined, but it came with multiple opportunities to learn. Although I was more than just a little excited to start the internship itself, my nerves were slowly building up and getting the best of me. I made multiple small mistakes that I would usually never make, and while I felt frustrated for doing so, I realized that I just need to learn from them to ensure that I didn’t make those mistakes again. I gained a better understanding of professionalism and its importance when it comes to relationships in the workplace. I learned that I had to be more efficient in keeping myself updated by using my email, and that it was my responsibility to keep track of any new information or changes that had been made recently.
When I first heard of the Bringing Back the Arts internship program, I knew what I was going to be signing up for: an opportunity. While I didn’t know how everything in the art industry worked, I did know what to expect for my time at the MCA. However, I was surprised by the atmosphere of the staff room. I never really liked box offices or the idea of working in one, but I’ve already become fond of the office space. It’s much more social and lively than I expected. This was a pleasant surprise for me and helped me feel more at ease.
On my first day, my sponsor, Ama Mills-Robertson helped me officially meet the different staff members I’d find myself spending time with. I knew this wasn’t any regular social meeting; I wasn’t hanging out with friends, so I had to make sure I kept all interactions professional. It was code switching at its finest.