Teacher Institute Intern at the Toledo Museum of Art
Semester: Spring 2023
Praxis Course: HART 420 Museum Studies Fieldwork Seminar
Faculty Advisors: Matthew Feliz & Monique Scott
Field Site: The Toledo Museum of Art
Field Supervisor: Grace Toth
Praxis Poster:
Final_Olivia H-F Poster
Further Context:
For my praxis this semester, I got to work remotely for the Toledo Museum of Art where I interned in person over the summer. My position this semester has been particularly fulfilling because I am helping support the planning of a nation-wide Teacher Institute funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Institutes like this one are supported by the NEH a lot, but this year is the first time an art museum will be hosting one.
The Teacher Institute at the Toledo Museum of Art is described on their website as follows: “Exploring a work of art’s story, symbolism, and context can shape our perceptions of the world. The Toledo Museum of Art’s week-long summer institute will help K-12 teachers develop skills and teaching strategies to facilitate their students’ investigations into Native American and African American perspectives and contributions to American History through visual culture.” You can read more about the Teacher Institute on their website here.
My specific role has been to primarily create pre and post institute resources for the participating teachers. This includes lesson plans surrounding artists we will focus on during the week of the institute. I have also been working on workshop guides surrounding specific exhibits that will be up at the museum over the summer. Additionally, I helped compile resources for teachers surrounding their stay in Toledo. Teachers have also come to me for help coordinating accommodations and other things for their stay. Overall, I have really enjoyed my internship this semester!