Student gallery teacher Samaya Porter leads an activity making clay animals in the museum’s classroom.
the-scenes tours and field trips. These activities help them gain new skills in object-based teaching, research and program evaluation. They also gain a broad understanding of the museum’s collection and special exhibitions. The program reflects the museum’s belief that galleries are not just places to look at art but also spaces for active learning. The approach to gallery teaching is interactive, inquiry-based and multi-modal, prioritizing observation and noticing and fostering personal discovery, creativity and curiosity. Instead of simply delivering facts, student gallery teachers employ a variety of activities and techniques to encourage visitors to ask questions, share observations and make personal connections with works of art. Tours become lively conversations rather than one- sided lectures. The new initiative not only builds job skills for students but fosters a strong sense of community for them. Students from different majors and backgrounds work together to refine their craft, exchange ideas and share challenges. This collaborative environment allows them to learn just as much from one another as they do from their training. “It is a unique way to meet and work closely with other UGA students,” Steinmann said. “It will be a great opportunity for the student gallery teachers to form a real learning community as a group.” The inaugural group of six students held its first meeting September 10. Since then, they have been preparing to lead tours and developing strategies to share their knowledge in engaging ways.
Sophia Nguyen, a third-year undergraduate majoring in international affairs and art history, was inspired by years of visiting museums while traveling with her family. “I resonated with their mission to make information about the past more accessible, significant and powerful in the present,” she said. “The Georgia Museum of Art has the same mission right here on campus, and I thought: why not take the chance to do the same?” Ella Madden, a third-year art education major, especially looks forward to working with children. “They have the best questions! I love sharing what I know with others and learning from them through the questions they ask,” she said. Through the program, she hopes to encourage greater interaction with art while gaining communication skills and overall educational experience. Together with their peers, these students bring diverse academic interests and personal experiences to their work with the museum. This diversity ensures that every tour and program benefits from fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. The student gallery teacher program goes beyond providing teaching opportunities. Members deepen their understanding of museums as cultural institutions, grow their professional and interpersonal skills, and make meaningful contributions to both the university and the Athens community. By building bridges between visitors and original works of art, student gallery teachers embody the museum’s mission to share more art with visitors of all ages.
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