Rachel Rosenfeld

During the 2017-18 academic year I had the coveted opportunity of working at the Tang Teaching museum under the tutelage of various advisors as the Winter Intern. My internship allowed me to explore different positions in different departments within the museum. This exploration offered a trial run of varied museum and gallery professions. During the fall semester I worked in the education department with Museum Educator for College and Public Programs Tom Yoshikami, and during the spring semester I worked in the curatorial department with Curatorial Assistant Molly Channon and Assistant Director for Curatorial Affairs and Malloy Curator Rachel Seligman.

During the fall and beginning of the spring semester I assisted Dayton Director Ian Berry in orchestrating the inaugural Winter/Miller Lecture, scheduled for March. Through a process of much deliberation we collectively decided to host Nicole Eisenman as a speaker. It was inspiring for me to witness an acclaimed artist and winner of the MacArthur Fellowship speak about her process and inspiration, as well as speak openly about her frustrations with (and subsequent digression from) her medium in addition to her success, all with a dry sense of humor. I received much appreciated direction from Tom Yoshikami and Michael Janairo in preparation for introducing Ms. Eisenman.

In the spring of 2018 I started working toward my capstone project, which culminated in an exhibition over the summer. The Winter intern is instructed to choose a subject for a project or paper that reflects their personal interests as well as the values of the Tang. I worked with Molly Channon and Rachel Seligman on curating They’re, Their, There. The exhibition explores queer representation and expression through print media, sculpture, and photo. The exhibition led to a discussion about public restroom signage and how the terms “Men” and “Women” exclude trans and non-binary individuals. The museum’s signage was changed to read “M” and “W,” with the words “self-identified” beneath each letter—a step towards a more inclusive space. Having a hand in curating an exhibition on gender politics for a renowned museum has led me to witness change with real impact in an open-minded space.

Working at the Tang the summer after I graduated from Skidmore College provided a cushion between the security of a liberal arts institution and the elusive professional world beyond it. Without the pre-professional internship at the Tang I might not have felt as prepared to pursue a career in the art world as I currently do. The Eleanor Linder Winter internship required the energy and focus for intensive research, organization, and communication within a fast-paced environment. While the position required an amount of self-direction, I am grateful for the ample guidance and unparalleled support I received from numerous members of the Tang staff. — Rachel Rosenfeld