ArtCity: Working as an education intern at the Woodstock Art Gallery

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As the education intern at the Woodstock Art Gallery, I can be found in many different places and doing many different things — whether I’m working at the front desk, assisting with a program on the third floor, giving a school tour or researching accessibility.

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I’m a recent graduate from Fleming College, where I received a post-graduate diploma in museum management and curatorship. This intense one-year program provided me with education and hands-on experience in curatorial research, education and interpretive programming, collections management, care of collections and exhibition development.

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Before coming to the Woodstock Art Gallery, I interned at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, where I worked primarily in collections documenting artifacts and archives. During my time at Fleming College, I also gained experience in education and public programming at the Peterborough Museum and Archives by volunteering at and helping to run an after-school program.

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I was excited for the opportunity to build on my experience and gain further insight into working in a cultural education department at the Woodstock Art Gallery.

My main responsibility as the education intern is helping with the many programs that are offered at the gallery. This includes after-school programs for both elementary and high school students, workshops, March Break art classes and class field trips. During these programs, I lead tours and group discussions, take photos and assist with hands-on art lessons.

In February, I participated in the gallery’s free Family Day drop-in, which included a fully accessible art activity for the whole family to enjoy. I created a slide show for the art activity, helped set up the space and supplies and answered questions from the public. The morning was a huge success with more than 350 people coming out to participate.

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Following Family Day, I had the opportunity to research an activity for the gallery’s next drop-in during March Break. The activity I developed was a torn paper landscape, and it was great to see the many creative ideas that the participants came up with.

The gallery will be offering another free drop-in this summer on July 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., sponsored by Kingsmen Group Inc. We also have aCreative PA Day program coming up on May 31. You can find more information and register online at www.woodstockartgallery.ca.

Working as the education intern has been such a rewarding experience. I love seeing how each person who comes to our programs is affected by the art they create and express. This position has also allowed me the space and freedom to be creative, while learning important skills like how to be flexible and ready for anything in a fast-paced environment.

A major discovery I’ve made is that I want to continue working in the cultural education sector at a museum or art gallery. As I complete my internship at the Woodstock Art Gallery, I’m looking forward to further growing my leadership and teaching skills while continuing to research and develop programs for the community to enjoy.

Samantha Henderson is the education intern at the Woodstock Art Gallery. Her position is funded through Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage

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