Job title: Pre-K-12 Program Specialist

Education: Bachelor of Fine Art, Art Teacher Education

What is your job? I’m an art educator leading pre-K-12 tours in the Barnes’s galleries. I also visit classrooms across Philadelphia to teach art. My goal is to support students’ understanding of art history and visual culture. I joke that I’m a professional question asker. I ask things like: “What do you see?” and “Why do you feel that way?”

What is the best part of your job? Giving students permission to not like an artwork! They don’t need my permission, but they often assume I will try to convince them of an artwork’s value. I can help students form their thoughts with facts, but I also want them to trust their feelings.

Job title: Curator

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Art History and French; Masters and Doctorate, 19th-Century French Art

What is your job? I organize exhibitions of art, and research and write about the art collection at the Barnes Foundation in order to share this knowledge—and hopefully joy—with the public.

What is the best part of your job? The most magical time is when I’m installing an exhibition. Seeing how the artworks interact and bring out different stories is such a pleasure. And then sharing that delight with our visitors is why we do what we do.

Advice for students: It’s a very long road to get a job as a curator. You never know what detours you will take, but you can find something to learn from every experience.

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Writing Arts; Master of Arts, Publishing

What is your job? My job is to get the word out about the museum—what’s cool about the collection and what special exhibitions we’re hosting. I post to social media platforms, send email newsletters, work with our graphic designers to create posters and billboards, and write advertisements.

Advice for students: A museum career is hard work, but it can be extremely rewarding. Remember that there are many paths to a museum job. Play to your strengths and, while you’re in school, try to network with people who study or work at your favorite museums. You never know who can help you get your foot in the door!

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Fibers and Material Studies

What is your job? I source [obtain] products for the shop and develop custom items based on our collection. I focus on handmade items that are made locally or within the USA, and internationally under fair-trade conditions. This means we know where our goods are made and that production staff are fairly compensated and work in a safe environment.

Advice for students: Familiarize yourself with different forms of craft. Learn how to silk-screen T-shirts, sew a tote bag, or make pottery to understand the process of manufacturing, from design to production. These experiences will help you communicate with artists and develop meaningful products that resonate with museum visitors.

Job title: Senior Graphic Designer

Education: Bachelor of Science, Graphic Design

What is your job? I create brands for exhibitions. I choose fonts and color palettes, and then decide how the title, wall text, and graphics will look in the exhibition space. I design printed brochures and invitations, and I create animated digital assets for social media and email.

What challenges do you face? As a designer, I think it’s important to be able to accept critique of your work. You have to compromise so others are happy with your work while maintaining your own standards.

Advice for students: Read books, watch movies, and absorb as much as possible at museums and other cultural spaces to develop your point of view.