Past Projects

student working in the drexel collection

Co-op and internship assignments and projects vary significantly from year to year. The following descriptions are just a selection of some of the kinds of projects and experiences to expect.

Curatorial: Depending on the individual interests of the student, they will assist with updating the database and object files, conduct research and catalog individual objects in the collection including photography. Areas of the collection include:

19th century European decorative arts including furniture, ceramics, metals and tapestries
Portrait paintings
Academic landscape paintings
Prints & drawings including works by the Italian masters, Hogarth, Violet Oakley, etc.
19th and early 20th century photography

Database and Website Management: The student helps standardize and enhance content in the collection database, Museum Plus, in preparation for online publication. Students write rotating copy for the collection website including event descriptions, objects of the month and exhibition descriptions.

Education & Programming: Students assist with the planning and developing of both adult and student age programming for the Collection. Activities include developing teaching materials and interactive activities, designing cross-departmental events, working with Enrollment Management on Welcome Week activities, organizing programming for upcoming exhibitions and all aspects related to the scheduling and organizing of these events.

Exhibitions:

Students work collaboratively with the director of the collection, guest curators and the graphic designer to complete the research, design and production of exhibitions hosted in the Drexel Founding Collection’s Rincliffe Gallery. Students also help develop exhibition-related texts and labels, as well as printed materials such as newsletters, brochures, ads, invitations and signage.

Registration/Collections Management: Students assist the director of the collection by working on inventory projects, caring for the collection, reorganizing storage and numbering collection objects. Other projects previous students have completed include resolving old inventory issues, updating object locations, handling incoming and outgoing loan documentation, and reviewing and updating acquisition files.