A Day in the Life of an Art Museum Intern

I began interning with the Art Museum at Uk with the White Elephant Rummage Sale in July. It is now November and we are working hard towards making Art in Bloom 2014 a tremendous success. Over the past four months I have learned a great amount about versatility. From refreshing sponsorship letters to researching lesson plans, compiling support for a famous Kentucky artist and folding and mailing a never-ending amount of letters, I’ve learned to let myself be used in as many ways as possible. The staff at the Art Museum is remarkable, trusting me with a wide array of tasks and showing great patience when I become confused. Of course, the best part of all in working in an Art Museum is getting a sneak peak at exhibitions and then seeing those great works of art every day!

I was not sure what to expect when I began this internship, but Amy (interim director, Amy Nelson) immediately put me to work updating donor lists and mailing materials. I come in, she gives me a task(s) and I get right to work. After four months, I cannot begin to count how many names and mailing addresses I’ve entered into Microsoft Excel. But, these are the tasks of someone working with non-profit development. You must develop and constantly nurture your donor base, keeping them updated and engaged with what your organization is doing. Art in Bloom is our largest fundraiser by far and it has a fantastic and beneficial mission. It will be such a reward to see a great turnout at the event in February and then run the numbers afterwards to see how much we will be able to donate to support art education in Kentucky schools! Before we pop the top on Art in Bloom, we have to do the hard work.

Charles Calhoun

Are you up for the Challenge?!

The GoodGiving Guide Challenge—a partnership of Blue Grass Community Foundation and Smiley Pete Publishing—is an online charitable giving campaign which celebrates the diversity of 108 nonprofits in the Bluegrass Region by allowing people to learn about and contribute to their important work. Donors can make a donation to one or more charities using a credit card at the secure website www.goodgivingguide.net. Donations made via the GoodGiving Guide website will have an even greater impact thanks to hundreds of thousands of dollars in challenges, match pools, and grant money provided by sponsors. 

The Art Museum at UK is relying on this fabulous resource more than ever to drive our annual fund campaign. Your donations help us:  

• Purchase mats and frames for artwork, like six Andy Warhol prints donated by The Warhol Foundation 

• Provide art supplies for educational and outreach events 

• Pay for rental, shipping, and installation of special exhibitions 

• Conserve valuable artwork in our permanent collection 

• AND MUCH MORE! 

Please help the Art Museum continue to serve, not only the University community, but all of Central Kentucky.  You can reach our donation page on the GoodGiving Guide website here: www.goodgivingguide.net/ukartmuseum 

Thank you in advance for your support! 

 The GoodGiving Guide Challenge runs from November 1 at 8:00 am and ends on December 31 at 11:59 pm. 

Amy Nelson Young

Congratulations to our very own Amy Nelson Young for receiving one of the 2013 University of Kentucky Outstanding Staff Awards presented by the UK Staff Senate.

Amy became Director of Grants and Assets for the Art Museum in 2002. In this position she coordinates the Museum's advisory board and oversees all aspects of the Museum’s fundraising including the annual fund, corporate sponsorships, federal and foundation grants, and special events. Amy has also served as the Museum's Interim Director since the resignation of Kathy Walsh-Piper this past August. She earned a BA from Brigham Young University, an MA in Art History from the University of North Texas, and is currently a PhD student at the University of Kentucky.

But,the Art Museum staff knows Amy for her cheerful, positive, will-do attitude. She is the beautiful smiling face you see at every Museum reception. Way to go Amy!!!