Museums must acknowledge the stigmatising, tokenising, and economic effects of internships aimed at minority groups – not just the opportunities they offer, says Rachael Arauz.
In autumn 1991, for my first job after college, I was the recipient of a prestigious nine-month, salaried post at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC., through a program titled “Internships in the Museum Profession for Minorities.” This job began my long career in curatorial work and I remain in the field today. As an independent curator for more than a decade, I have organized exhibitions for museums around the country including DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA, the Center for Creative Photography in Tuscon, AZ, the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, CA, and the Portland Museum of Art in Maine.
My experience as a “minority intern” has been on my mind lately, as I’ve read press coverage of newly established, diversity-based internships and fellowships and seen colleagues promote these programs at conferences. Museum leaders are concerned about the lack... Keep reading on Hyperallergic.
In autumn 1991, for my first job after college, I was the recipient of a prestigious nine-month, salaried post at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC., through a program titled “Internships in the Museum Profession for Minorities.” This job began my long career in curatorial work and I remain in the field today. As an independent curator for more than a decade, I have organized exhibitions for museums around the country including DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA, the Center for Creative Photography in Tuscon, AZ, the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, CA, and the Portland Museum of Art in Maine.
My experience as a “minority intern” has been on my mind lately, as I’ve read press coverage of newly established, diversity-based internships and fellowships and seen colleagues promote these programs at conferences. Museum leaders are concerned about the lack... Keep reading on Hyperallergic.