Museology Master of Arts Program

Headshot of Andrea Arenas, class of 2011.Andrea Arenas, ’11

Seattle Parks Foundation, Director of Development

What inspires me

Museums! Seeing the passion, innovation and dedication that other people have for their craft and community inspires me to pursue my dreams. For me, museums are a source of inspiration because they illustrate the achievements and discoveries of the world.

What I love about my career

I love how diverse my career has been. I’ve worked in history, natural history, science, and aviation museums. I’ve been fortunate to work in several different museum positions and have found that I love development because it allows me to share my passion with donors and guests, and ultimately strengthen the mission of the museum and expand our museum community.

Image of Garret Barmore, class of 2013, showing and object to a visitor.Garrett Barmore, ’13

W. M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum, Museum Curator

What inspires me

My museum gives school tours to around 6,000 K-12 students annually. This may not seem like a lot, but it is for our small museum. The Keck has been free for 108 years, this attracts many Title One schools to the museum. For many of our schools, this is the only field trip they get for the entire year. What I find inspirational is when these kids, many of which receive three free meals from their schools a day, give a penny, a quarter, or even a dollar to the donation box. I never mention the box to the students, but I always thank them if they donate. This is one of the most inspirational moments of my job.

What I love about my career

I love telling cool stories. I love transforming boring rocks into exciting epics. I truly believe that museums, more than anything else, are engines of inspiration. A good museum inspires, cultivates wonder, and covertly educates. My job is not to create geologists, but to inspire a visitor so they want to become a geologist. Everybody who visits museums has a “museum moment”, a story where their lives changed because of an experience at a museum. I love creating experiences that may be one of those life altering moments.

Image of Katie Buckingham (Phelps), class of 2012, blowing glass.Katie Buckingham (Phelps), ’12

Museum of Glass, Curator

What inspires me

I am inspired by the challenges of the complex process of using art and objects to tell a story. Museum of Glass is incredibly exciting because we have a working glassblowing studio, where visitors can watch artists work and learn more about their process. Connecting the educational experience visitors have in the Hot Shop with the fine art creates a new narrative in every exhibition.

What I love about my career

I love teaching people about art because, even if in a small way, I am encouraging people to bring creativity into their lives. I am so grateful to work in museums because my role is about encouraging people to learn, seek new experiences, and inspire them to make artwork or undertake a creative project at home.