This spring, the College of Arkansas Faculty of Artwork will graduate its first cohort of MA Artwork Historical past college students, specializing within the examine of the humanities of the Americas in partnership with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Artwork.
This system has a multivocal and inclusive strategy to artwork historical past and gives interdisciplinary coaching and work expertise. Due to the Walton Charitable Assist Basis, this system is tuition-free and provides extra funding help by assistantships, fellowships, and analysis and journey grants.
“I cannot overstate the impact of being a part of a fully funded MA program,” mentioned Alex Betz, graduate scholar and intern at Inventive Arkansas Neighborhood Hub and Alternate (CACHE). “I’ve been able to immerse myself in my studies and pursue a host of opportunities that otherwise would have been inaccessible to me.”
College students discover key themes important to understanding the humanities of the Americas, guided by college {and professional} consultants.
(Left to proper) MA college students Ibby Ouweleen, Djamila Ricciardi, and Raven Prepare dinner at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Artwork for first-year orientation and a behind-the-scenes tour with workers and curators.
“We have been able to broaden our perspectives through in-depth seminars on a range of topics,” mentioned graduate scholar Djamila Ricciardi. “A personal highlight was a course taught by Crystal Bridges curator Jen Padgett. She offered us a peek behind the curtain at the museum and we learned how an exhibition comes together, from initial concept to final install.”
Raven Prepare dinner, Ella Nowicki, Ibby Ouweleen, and Larissa Randall are additionally graduating in Might 2025 and had distinctive hands-on expertise with native artwork organizations.
Ouweleen interned with Artwork Bridges and describes the expertise as significant, each intellectually and professionally.
“I helped develop two exhibits while researching and writing about new acquisitions, like Rashid Johnson’s Untitled Escape Collage,” mentioned Ouweleen. “I am so energized by the important work of Art Bridges and loved being part of the team so much that I began working for them as a curatorial research assistant. A show I’ve worked on is opening next fall, and it will be my first curatorial byline.”
Together with Betz, Prepare dinner held an internship at CACHE, the place she recognized grant alternatives, engaged with artists, and assisted with a brand new on-line useful resource library.
Nowicki interned with Crystal Bridges as a curatorial intern, whereas Randall, an assistant curator, continued working on the museum whereas pursuing their diploma.
“These remarkable students came to us from near and far, holding undergraduate degrees from the University of Arkansas, Williams College, and the University of Cambridge,” mentioned Jennifer Greenhill, who recruited the primary cohort because the inaugural graduate director. “Their unique perspectives have enriched the new program in fundamental ways and helped to set a high standard, along with the excellent faculty we have hired to build on existing cross-institutional expertise in Indigenous, Mesoamerican, African diaspora, Latin American, and Latiné artistic traditions.”
For extra details about the MA Artwork Historical past program, go to artwork.uark.edu.
(Left to proper) MA college students Djamila Ricciardi and Ella Nowicki having fun with native delicacies in Mexico Metropolis as part of an immersive journey course the place college students skilled the humanities and structure of Mexico.
MA college students and college have one-on-one discussions with multimedia artist Mickalene Thomas visiting the College of Arkansas as part of the Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecture Collection.
MA college students Ibby Ouweleen and Alex Betz at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Artwork for first-year orientation with a break for lunch with govt director Rod Bigelow and workers.
