Why did you decide to enroll in Summer Institute?

My decision to enroll in Summer Institute was the most important step I have taken in my art history journey. Art history is more than an intellectual interest; it is a passion that links me to the past, present, and future.

As a child, I spent countless hours in museums with my mother, who would guide me through what she learned as a college student minoring in art history. I decided to attend Summer Institute to receive formal instruction in art history and see if it was truly something I wanted to pursue in the future.

My experience in the Global Art History course was everything I imagined it would be and more. During my two weeks at Summer Institute, I met lifelong friends, saw behind the curtain of the art world, and discovered that art history truly is what I want to study.

What significance does studying in New York City hold for you and what was the most interesting thing you learned or experienced during your time there? 

There is no better place to study art history than New York City. New York City is the heart of the art world, not just in terms of the artworks that are held in the city’s many museums, but also because it’s where you can see how the art of the past interacts with the art of the present.

During the program, we received a talk by artist Bony Ramirez. My eye was immediately drawn to how his art draws from both today’s views and classical conventions. Being in New York City allowed me to simultaneously understand contemporary and classical art.

Another experience unique to New York City was hearing from a panel of art professionals about their jobs and what it’s like to work in the industry. This was an incredibly impactful way to see behind the curtain of the art world in its capital.

Describe your favorite day of the program. Where did you go and who did you meet? 

The morning session on my favorite day of the program was dedicated to discussing how contemporary artists use their perspectives and experiences to reflect on the world around them. We also discussed museum ethics and how today’s opinions and challenges change how we see a piece of art.

After a quick lunch, my friends and I joined the rest of our class on the subway to visit the Rashid Johnson exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum. We spent the afternoon exploring how the museum space and artworks synthesize to create the visitor’s experience.

For many years, I had been puzzled by how contemporary art did not conform to the traditions of classical art. Contemporary art often lacks symbols with concrete meaning and recognizable subjects, and as a result I decided that I didn’t like it.

However, that afternoon, the key finally turned. I understood that the beauty of today’s art is that it is completely free and individual. There is no set meaning to an artwork—it’s there to ask questions and provoke thought and discussion. That afternoon entirely changed the way I saw contemporary art.

 

Can you share an example of an assignment that you particularly enjoyed?

My favorite project was absolutely our final project. My class was tasked with designing an exhibition, and my group decided to focus on female self-portraiture.

We included artists Cindy Sherman, Artemisia Gentileschi, and Frida Kahlo, designing the exhibition spaces with decoration and symbols that we associated with them and their art. It was interesting to think about the way women chose to portray themselves throughout the centuries, compared to how they were portrayed by men. The project taught me a lot about curation and the way we think about exhibiting art.

How did the program help you understand what working in the art world might look like day to day?

Summer Institute showed me the variety of careers that are available in the art world. For the first time, I saw the range of possibilities: museum curation, auction work, academics—the list goes on and on.

Thanks to Summer Institute, I realized that studying art history does not necessarily equate to becoming an art historian. Instead, it means that I have a wide range of careers available to me.

The program also made a strong effort to show students that a career in the art world is possible and the opportunities are limitless. Before Summer Institute, I thought that to be in art history I had to follow a narrow path, but during the program I met people who had a variety of backgrounds and experiences that eventually led them to the art world.

How did your experience at Summer Institute influence your perspective on your future studies or career path? 

My experience at Summer Institute cemented my desire to pursue art history in the future. It showed me that a career in the art world is achievable and within reach.

I learned that a love of art history could take me anywhere from an auction house to a luxury goods company. I also saw a career in art history as something truly exciting for the first time and not just as a career in which I would be reading textbooks 24/7. My experience gave me excitement for what lies ahead.

Do you have any advice for future Summer Institute students?

Say yes to everything. Try every bagel shop (though after some dedicated research, Zuckers is superior). Talk to the person sitting next to you. Ask every question you have. Take advantage of every second you have because the fantastic, dreamlike two weeks you spend at Summer Institute will fly by.

Do every activity and branch out as much as you can. This moment is the time for exploration. I discovered so many things about art and life simply because I made the decision to say yes to as many opportunities as possible.

Also, get to know your instructors. At the core of my experience was my instructor, who fostered my curiosity for art history and whose passion for learning was absolutely infectious. Your teachers are there to talk to you about a subject they love and are truly a highlight of the program.

Overall, just enjoy every second you can.