Young Ambassadors 2024 Internship Blog

Monday, August 26: Today was focused on polishing my Teen Council presentation. I had a coffee chat with Nini, who works on programs in South LA and the TeenHub. We talked about how the museum can better connect with teens from underserved areas.  Tuesday, August 27: Today was the day I delivered my Teen Council presentation. The research I gathered helped shape a vision for LACMA’s Teen Council, and I was excited to share it with the team. In my presentation, I highlighted the common structure of teen councils across various museums, focusing on grades 9-12 and the importance of in-person meetings, while also acknowledging the occasional use of virtual sessions. I noted how many councils, like the one at MOCA, organize “Teen Night” and run social media accounts to keep teens engaged and connected. I proposed that a Teen Council at LACMA that would involve 15-20 students meeting weekly, with a focus on leadership, creative development, and professional networking. Responsibilities ...

Sunday, August 18: Another engaging day at Andell Family Sundays, but this time, I had more responsibility in helping families navigate the various activities. Alicia was once again my supervisor, and she offered great tips on how to keep families engaged, especially younger children. The energy was high, specifically at the fabric circle where I worked with yarn and embroidery. I notice these events strengthen the community’s relationship with the museum by tying the art-making to the art pieces exhibited. Monday, August 19: Today was a mix of research and coffee chats. I had a chat with Susi Castillo, the Education Coordinator for Art Classes and Camps, who shared valuable insights about managing LACMA’s art programs. Later, I spoke with Gabriela Martinez, Director of Gallery Learning, who emphasized the importance of curating meaningful experiences for teen visitors. In between, I continued my research on teen councils, focusing on how museums encourage teen participation year-round...

Sunday, August 11: Today, I assisted with Andell Family Sundays, a family-focused event at LACMA. Alicia was my supervisor for the day, and it was exciting to help families engage with hands-on art activities. I enjoyed seeing how art can be a bonding experience for parents and kids. It was a busy but fulfilling day, giving me more insight into LACMA’s educational outreach. Monday, August 12: Today was focused on research. I reviewed my goals and objectives with Rebecca, particularly diving into how I’ll contribute to NexGenLA and the Teen Council. I began researching teen councils at other museums, gathering information on how they operate, including meeting structures, responsibilities, and engagement strategies. In the afternoon, I had a coffee chat with Krystine, the NexGenLA Education Coordinator. She shared more about the program’s goals and how it serves the community. Wednesday, August 14: The day began with a staff meeting, followed by a field trip to the La Brea Tar Pits with...

Friday, August 2: Today kicked off my internship with some essential readings. I completed reading The Successful Internship to understand how to make the most of this experience. I also explored LACMA blogs, specifically learning about NexGenLA from Krystine Murry and Su si Castillo, my supervisors, and the concept of Radical Friendliness, which emphasizes inclusivity in museum spaces. After a brief Zoom onboarding from HR, I worked on my bio, detailing my background and goals for this internship. Monday, August 5: I spent my first day in person at LACMA setting up mindfulness zines on the plaza. These zines were designed for the public to use during their visit. After that, I spent most of the day assisting with an art camp for kids ages 6-8. It was rewarding to see how excited the kids were about the projects.  Wednesday, August 7: Today started with a quick check-in with Rebecca on the plaza before heading to my first Education & Public Programs staff meeting. I introduced...