MAAM Stories
The Art of Learning Meets the Learning of Art
Written by Brian Hone, MAAM Deputy Director
Read Time: 2 Minutes
A Beating Heart
At the heart of artist Nicholas Galanin’s exhibition Aáni yéi xat duwasáakw (I am called Land), currently on view here at MassArt Art Museum, is a large-scale, suspended Tlingít box drum, activated by a robotic arm. The drum beats in rhythm with a human heart, filling the darkened and otherwise quiet space of the gallery with sound and vibration. Since the exhibition’s opening in May 2025, I’ve grown fond of the steady drumbeat–always present, predictable, and filling the space with life.
While spending time with Galanin’s rhythmic drumming, I’ve been reminded of another driving force here at MAAM–our student staff. MassArt students employed by MAAM wake the museum up in the morning and put the museum to bed at night, warmly welcome the thousands of visitors who come through our doors annually, assist with the installation of our exhibitions, facilitate engaging events and programs, design our marketing content, and ensure the safety of artworks under our care. If museums are like organisms, MassArt students are the heartbeat of MAAM.
Museum Attendants Emelia and Jada welcoming visitors to MAAM.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
MassArt students are vital to the work we do here at MAAM and are valuable members of our team. Similarly, students acquire valuable skills, experiences, in-depth training, and mentoring during their time in the museum.
As an extension of the academic classroom, MAAM educates, inspires, and empowers future generations of artists, designers, and educators–both on campus and beyond–through the lens of contemporary art. The work that students pursue here, from building temporary walls for exhibitions to facilitating guided group visits, prepares them for real world opportunities beyond the classroom and the campus environment.
MAAM Catalyst Fellow Sebastian (left) assisting with the installation of the exhibition, GENERATIONS.
MAAM Museum Attendant Logan making art with visitors in the Barkan Family Big Ideas Studio.
With former student museum employees now working at museums and organizations throughout New England (Armenian Museum of America, Boston Public Art Triennial, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Mass MoCA, Moth Design, Museum of Science, Newport Art Museum, Plimoth Patuxet Museums, TD Garden Sports Museum, Simmons University, Tufts University), our model of professional development provides students with pathways to employment and serves as an alternative to the problematic “starving artist” narrative. Here at MAAM, we employ more than 20 MassArt students in a variety of roles every year. Our students are thriving and contributing to the artistic and cultural life around us.
More to Come
Over the coming months, you’ll hear more from us about the inspiring work MassArt students are doing at MAAM. In future MAAM Stories, we’ll also take you behind the scenes for an in-depth look into our exhibitions and programs, exploring the often less visible side of museum work. Stay tuned for new MAAM Stories each month. In the meantime, connect with us on social @MAAMBoston and join our bi-weekly newsletter–you can subscribe here.
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