Imogen - Programme Developer Te Manawa

For Imogen, the Museum and Heritage Studies course provided a good balance between theory and practice.

Assistant Curator, Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

Unlike many of my classmates I didn't start my Masters in Museum and Heritage Studies with the intention of becoming a Curator. I had completed my Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Art History and History from Otago University a few years earlier and it took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do. Once I realised the Museum and Heritage sector was where I wanted to go, my honours supervisor suggested this course because of its balance between theory and practice. As part of my masters I completed practicums with; the New Zealand Police Museum where I learnt about collection management and education programmes; The Arts Village in Rotorua to develop, plan, co-ordinate and implement a one night multi-site arts festival; an analysis of existing research for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga; and a video for the Wellington City Council heritage team on earthquake strengthening. These practical experiences were the highlight of the course and exposed me to the many different avenues within the sector.

My internship in Rotorua turned into a job as the Community Engagement Coordinator for The Arts Village and once I had finished that contract I started at the Rotorua Museum as their Assistant Curator. As part of my role I undertake concept development, object selection, research and writing for exhibitions in conjunction with the Lead Curator, as well as working with the wider museum team. This position offers the opportunity for continued learning, being central to the museum’s operations and getting to work with a fun and innovative team.

This course prepared me for this role without me even realising it. It developed my existing skill set, and provided a toolbox of experiences and knowledge that I can take into many different situations, making me flexible and adaptable. As a generalist who likes to have my fingers in lots of pies and try new things all the time, this is exactly what I needed.