Smith College

The Summer Institute in Art Museum Studies at Smith College engages liberal arts students in an in-depth, behind-the-scenes, hands-on exploration of art museums. Through a combination of classroom instruction and assignments, visits to museums, conversations with museum professionals, and an exhibition project, participants learn about the purpose and function of art museums and the numerous challenges they face. Travel to museums, galleries, and art venues in New York City, Boston, and elsewhere provide opportunities to consider the values and responsibilities of different kinds of institutions: academic and city museums, private and public institutions, encyclopedic and focused collections. Students meet with professionals in a variety of fields, from directors and curators to private collectors and art conservators. Throughout the six-week program, students have the unique experience of planning and mounting a complete exhibition project at the Smith College Museum of Art. In collaboration, they conceive and implement curatorial, education and marketing plans, as well as install the exhibit and design and publish the exhibition catalogue.