Emily Kovenock

Major: Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Company/Organization: Iowa State Textiles and Clothing Museum
Company/Organization website: https://www.aeshm.hs.iastate.edu/tc-museum/
Destination: Ames
Timeframe: Spring
Advisor/Coordinator Email: annthye@iastate.edu

Responsibilities

The student intern will experience the daily behind-the-scenes operations of the TCM including housekeeping, laundry, and pulling and transporting objects for use in AMD 356 and 362. I conducted research and analyzed objects in the collection and those under consideration for acquisition. I learned to navigate the PastPerfect database used by the TCM for record keeping. This summer I participate din exhibit planning, installation, and de-installation. I was also responsible for photo-documentation of TCM events and photography of objects in the collection. Part of my job was to become familiar with museum best practices related to object handling and care, appropriate storage for textiles and related ephemera, and de-accessioning procedures. Weekly I attended regularly scheduled Collection Committee meetings twice a month (if class schedule permits). The future student intern will report to the TCM Curator/Collections Manager: Janet Fitzpatrick, but will also work with the TCM Research Associate/Registrar: Suzanne LeSar; TCM Collection Committee member Amanda Quinn and the TCM Graduate Assistant Dyese Matthews.

Accomplishments

Co-curating the exhibit "By Design" really made all of the hours I had put into the museum come to life and really feel like I accomplished something.

What advice would you give?

Take the opportunities that are thrown your way when you can, but also know when to say no. People will respect you more if you are honest in saying why you do not think something will work rather than trying to pile it on and make it work with everything else you are balancing.

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