New Museum Studies Minor Prepares Next Generation of Curatorial Pros
Oglethorpe University has long been a hub for students seeking a robust education, and with the launch of its new museum studies minor in Fall 2024, the university is solidifying its commitment to preparing students for careers in museums, curation and archives. This innovative program equips students with essential professional skills while exposing them to the dynamic facets of museum work, from administration and education to exhibition design and implementation.
At the heart of this new minor is the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art (OUMA), a campus gem that has served as a teaching museum since its founding in 1993. Under the leadership of Director Elizabeth Peterson Jennings, the museum studies program has become a reality, offering students an unparalleled opportunity to gain hands-on experience. OUMA’s extensive collection of 1,300 objects — spanning seven continents and over 700 years — combined with its affiliations with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries (AAMG) and the Southeast Museums Conference (SEMC), provides students with the training and connections necessary to thrive in the field.
Oglethorpe’s location in Atlanta further enhances the minor’s value. With institutions like the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta History Center just a short distance away, students have access to leading cultural organizations where they can witness curatorial excellence firsthand. Many students have secured internships at these institutions, including prestigious programs such as the Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship.
The museum studies minor is already yielding tangible benefits for students. Penelope Bertrand ’26 recently attended the Georgia Association of Museums (GAM) Conference, where she engaged in discussions on educational programming, curation and emerging trends in the field.
“I was most excited about meeting the emerging museum professionals and networking with my peers,” Bertrand shared. “We were able to discuss our hopes for the future, our dream positions, and introduce each other to the key resources we each use in our studies and work.”
Meanwhile, Ariel Saah ’25 collaborated closely with OUMA Curator of Collections John Daniel Tilford to curate “Fragile Genius: Catherine Wiley and Beauford Delaney,” a groundbreaking exhibition that juxtaposes the works of two American artists for the first time. The exhibit explores themes of identity, adversity and artistic expression, highlighting how societal prejudices shaped both artists’ lives and legacies.
Art history major Kate Arrett ’25 has also benefited from the program’s specialized courses even though she is not pursuing a museum studies minor. She discovered a passion that bridges art and science: conservation. This interest led her to a prestigious internship at the Atlanta Conservation Center, where she played a key role in restoring a large Japanese folding screen from OUMA’s permanent collection. Her hands-on experience in conservation provides her with a rare and valuable skill set, distinguishing her as she moves forward in her career.
“Museums today are looking for the next generation of innovative, creative and critical thinkers who can work effectively across multiple disciplines,” said Peterson Jennings. “This makes our liberal arts approach the perfect preparation for this dynamic field.”
With its immersive curriculum, hands-on learning opportunities and access to a world-class museum, Oglethorpe’s museum studies minor is already proving to be a transformative program for students eager to shape the future of the museum industry.
