The FIA Curatorial Department, through its internship program, creates professional opportunities for undergraduate- and graduate-level students seeking to enter the museum field. In summer 2021, the department hosted four interns virtually: Lea Baker, Madeleine Gannon, and Angela Gosselin from the University of Michigan and Nichole Hochthanner from Central Michigan University. All of their projects focused on researching and writing about the permanent collection—from Japanese decorative arts and contemporary ceramics to 20th-century prints.


Lea Baker photo
Lea Baker

Lea Baker 

University of Michigan

Quote

“My internship at the Flint Institute of Arts in the Curatorial Department has been an eye-opening experience. Having spent the summer researching contemporary ceramics, I have never been so intrigued by three-dimensional art works.”

Bio

Lea Baker is a rising senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Art History and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Lea is also a member of University of Michigan Museum of Art’s Student Engagement Council and the Marketing Chair for Girl Up Michigan. Her love of art has drawn her to work in art museums where she hopes others can be inspired.


Madeleine Virginia Gannon photo
Madeleine Virginia Gannon

Madeleine Virginia Gannon

University of Michigan

Quote

"My work with the curatorial department at the Flint Museum of Arts has been incredibly rewarding. I have had the invaluable opportunity to grow as a writer, researcher and individual. A journalist by training, I love telling stories –– and there are so many worth telling in the FIA collection. I leave the FIA as a stronger writer, storyteller and analyst." 

Bio

Madeleine Virginia Gannon is a rising senior at the University of Michigan studying Art History, Political Science and Criminal Justice. In addition to her work with the FIA, she is also a summer intern with the Law Library at the Library of Congress in Digital Publications. In her free time, Madeleine is a writer for the Michigan Daily and loves to swing dance.


Angela Gosselin photo
Angela Gosselin

Angela Gosselin

University of Michigan

Quote

"It's been exciting to dive into the Flint Institute of Arts' collection and connect with such intriguing and important objects. The research and writing I've been doing in the Curatorial Department this summer has definitely increased my appreciation for those that take the time to learn the stories of all these incredible works in order to share them with others." 

Bio

Angela is currently studying Art History, Media Studies, and Museum Studies at the University of Michigan. There, she leads the History of Art Undergraduate Society, where she works on exhibitions, publications, and campus-centered art appreciation with her peers. Angela spent her summer working with the Flint Institute of Arts' print collection and cannot wait to apply her newfound knowledge to her studies in the fall!


Nichole Hochthanner
Nichole Hochthanner

Nichole Hochthanner

Central Michigan University

Quote

“This experience has been extremely eye-opening for me.  I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to develop my knowledge of printmaking and museums and believe that this internship has made me more confident in my future aspirations.” 

Bio

Nichole is an art history major with a minor in museum studies at Central Michigan University.  She is also a member of the CMU Museum Studies Club.  She currently spends her time working at the Clarke Historical Library where she is growing her research skills and knowledge of archives and exhibit design.