AJ is an Art History major at Framingham State with a minor in Museum Studies. As the curatorial fellow at FSU’s Danforth Art Museum, he has been able to curate the permanent collection installation at the museum. In this role, he has been able to gain professional experience as he pursues a career working at a museum.   

When looking at colleges, I selected Framingham State because after touring it and getting a hands-on experience with our collection of African Artifacts, I knew that working with art as a career was something I wanted to pursue, and that this would be a good place to do it. 

I got involved with the Danforth Art Museum after my Art History Professor Yumi Park recommended that I apply to their curatorial fellow position during the summer of 2023. After a successful interview I was hired and tasked with curating the permanent collection installation in 2023, which was up in the Eyre gallery at the Danforth from Winter 2023 to Winter 2024. I was able to learn countless aspects of the curatorial process, including label writing, installation, layouts, collections, storage, matting, framing, and much more. Working mainly with Rachel Passannante, I also was able to curate an installation dealing with the themes of opposites, that was up at the Danforth during the Summer of 2024. In addition to learning so much about the ins and outs of working at a small museum, I was able to meet so many artists who helped expand my knowledge and understanding of artists' relationships with museums. 

As my time as the curatorial fellow was coming to an end, it was evident that I wanted to continue working with the Danforth, and thankfully that sentiment was mutual, so during the fall semester I worked in visitor services at the front desk, while also discussing potential projects with Museum Director and Curator Jessica Roscio. We ended up developing my current position, Curatorial Assistant, in which I have continued to assist with curatorial needs, notably writing labels, helping with the layout of shows, and compiling information for the visitor services staff, and working with the current fellow Jen Koeller on the upcoming permanent collection installation for the Fall of 2025. 

In addition to the Danforth, I am working with Professor Yumi Park-Huntington, and fellow student Eliza Gaston, cataloging and photographing recent acquisitions in the African Art collection at the university. This internship has allowed me to sharpen my photographic skills, in a proper studio setting, while simultaneously giving me experience in archival work. 

After I graduate, I hope to pursue a career in museum work, and after already obtaining some valuable and insightful experiences with them, I can tell I am open to working in many different facets of the field, as it all appeals to me greatly.

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