2024 Summer Interns: Joy Parker

My love for art began in the 6th grade at Eaton Middle School in Hampton, VA. From then on, I decided to pursue that passion when I graduated high school and entered college. Now, as a rising senior majoring in Studio Arts, I know that I want a career working in an art museum while continuing my own studio arts practice. So, when looking for a summer internship, I was immediately drawn to the Chrysler Museum of Art. This Museum is not only an art museum, it’s also a well-respected cultural anchor that follows its mission of bringing art and people together through experiences that delight, inform, and inspire.

For my 2024 internship, I worked for the Chrysler Museum’s Development Department, and it was an amazing learning experience. When entering this position, I didn’t have a clear understanding of what “Development” meant, but I’ve since learned that this department plays a huge role in keeping the Museum running. My first task was to call people for a program event called the Art of the Auction. Along with making calls, I was able to meet and greet with many of the Masterpiece Society members. The Masterpiece Society is made up of some of the Museum’s most generous donors, and their contributions help to keep the Museum free while also funding the purchase of artworks to expand the permanent collection. At that moment, I gained an understanding of how the love and connection of art spark interest and build relationships between the Museum and its supporters. It was there I realized how much work it takes to maintain a good relationship.

My supervisors were Reneé Duval Fairchild, the Chief Philanthropy Officer, and Kari Vincent, the Membership and Annual Giving Manager. I also worked on projects with Liz Hamilton, the Major Giving Officer. Some tasks given to me were writing thank you cards, pulling reports for membership reconstruction, putting together important membership information, piecing together documents, and updating contact information for the Director’s Circle membership level.

I learned that Development is more than just about donors and fundraising. Development is the entity that ensures the impact of the Chrysler Museum is felt by each “everyday museum visitor” and for many generations to come.

Along with my departmental duties, I had some assignments for the internship itself. Every week the interns would meet to check in on what we were doing, and we would also discuss The Art of Relevance by Nina Simon. The book mainly talked about how institutions, such as museums, churches, libraries, etc., can draw an audience and present them with knowledge and information that draws them in, with an eagerness to learn more, and tell who they know, and thus remain relevant. One of our projects—the Reel Deal Project—was to make a video reel about something related to the Museum. This project had to be my favorite because I did something out of my comfort zone. I not only enjoyed it, it also led me to discover my new favorite painting, The Emerald Pool by Albert Bierstadt (American, 1830-1902). I also went on field trips to other museums, met with the other interns’ departments, and learned a lot from Stacey Shelnut-Hendrick, the Deputy Director of Public Engagement and Learning.

During this internship, I gained an understanding of the different roles the diverse departments play in the Museum. I also learned how the departments overlap on projects, especially for engagement events like IgNITE. I also learned the importance of taking a moment to step outside when things get overwhelming.

However, the most important things I learned were from the Development Department. When I asked Kari if she could define Development, she said, “The term means growth and sustainability. The goal of the department in any non-profit is to ensure that the institution can operate and grow. This is done by gaining support through relationships, by listening, conversation, and connections.” I learned that Development is more than just about donors and fundraising. Development is the entity that ensures the impact of the Chrysler Museum is felt by each “everyday museum visitor” and for many generations to come.