(l to r) The 2015-2016 interns at Baum Gallery are Kimberlyn Fitts, Georgia Erger and Emilia Barrick. The internships are funded by a grant from the Windgate Charitable Foundation.
The University of Central Arkansas’ Baum Gallery of Fine Art recently chose its first three interns funded by a grant from the Windgate Charitable Foundation for the 2015-2016 academic year.
“Thanks to the generosity of the Windgate Foundation, the Baum has three new talented staff members who will benefit from experience working in a museum setting and increase the Baum’s capacity to engage the central Arkansas community,” said Barclay McConnell, Baum Gallery director.
The Windgate Foundation’s support is a three-year commitment that allows interns to work at the Baum Gallery. Through the grant two interns must be undergraduate students at UCA and the third intern must be a post-graduate intern from any institution.
Georgia Erger, the post-graduate intern, will focus on museum management.
The undergraduate interns, Emilia Barrick and Kimberlyn Fitts, will assist with public relations and marketing for the museum.
Erger is originally from Toronto, Canada. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.
“I’m really looking forward to working with this innovative museum and taking advantage of its unique educational mandate,” said Erger. “It’s a pleasure to be able to contribute to the central Arkansas arts community.”
Barrick is a junior at UCA majoring in public relations with a minor in political science. She served as the media chair for the UCA Student Activities Board for two years.
“The arts have always had a special place in my heart and I am grateful for the opportunity to help revamp the museum’s PR strategies,” said Barrick.
Fitts is a senior at UCA majoring in theater with a double minor in art and family and consumer science. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Tau and an assistant theater teacher at Blackbird Academy in Conway.
“The opportunity to work for the Baum is so special,” said Fitts. “I want to try to get more of the central Arkansas community in our doors this year to show them what a resource the museum truly is.”
The Baum Gallery of Fine Art is an educational art museum on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas. The museum promotes student and faculty work, coordinates original exhibits distinctly suited to an academic environment, and brings significant national and international touring exhibitions to Central Arkansas. The museum aims to encourage the appreciation and understanding of art for learners of all ages, as well as to inspire the creative insight and growth of museum visitors.
