Located on the third floor of Lowry Hall, the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art (OUMA) has not only fostered a love of art in students but also exposed them to potential museum career paths. Penelope Bertrand ’26, an alumna who minored in museum studies, experienced this firsthand while working with OUMA and has since transformed it into a valuable career journey. 

In addition to interning at OUMA as a student, Bertrand interned at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art and the Georgia Association of Museums. Following graduation this past May, she secured an internship at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, which led to her current role as the access program coordinator at the Norton Museum of Art. 

Bertrand had different responsibilities in each role, but each one taught her the versatility and adaptability required of museum professionals. She also found similar lessons in each position.

“These experiences have taught me that you must know your audience to be successful, that networking is about building genuine connections, and how to make a lasting impact even after I leave an organization,” said the art history major. 

As the access program  coordinator at the Norton, Bertrand supports accessibility programming, such as family autism art workshops and sensory-friendly Sundays. She also trains docents and volunteers, manages the programming budget, and, most importantly, connects with families on a personal level. 

Her time at Oglethorpe as a Resident Assistant, working in OUMA, and helping the student club Art Flow gave her the experience she needed to succeed in her current responsibilities. 

“Getting involved and understanding my community prepared me for my role at the Norton,” says Bertrand. “I would say the best skill I learned or pushed further was giving myself credit and self-promotion shamelessly. This helped me to network and grow my professional circle to uplift myself but also the people around me.”

Community outreach was integral to Bertrand’s role at OUMA as the Ten10 educational intern, where she worked with K-12 students in the museum, and has remained so throughout her career. When a young boy successfully drew a rainbow at a recent Family Autism Art Workshop, his mother told Bertrand that it was the first time he had ever drawn something so representational. This was one of several moments when she realized her work was creating meaningful experiences for others.  

“I felt choked up that I was here for this moment with them,” she said. “I look forward to watching the milestones of our guest for years to come.”

From Oglethorpe’s campus to Florida, Bertrand has not only grown as a museum professional but has also made an impact on others’ relationships with art.