Eva Solano
Where are you from: Trumbull, CT
Undergraduate University: University of Connecticut
What fuels their passion for museums: I started visiting museums at a young age with my parents and loved how much you can learn. Whether it is a science, history, or art museum, I find it amazing that there are so many ways to relate to an artwork, artifact, or exhibition. As I got older, there were a few times where I was completely awe-struck by an artwork and I could not believe that a painting, photograph, or sculpture could elicit such emotions. In my future career, I hope to help visitors experience those moments with art.
Favorite museum memory: Going to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art when I was in middle school. It was my first time experiencing contemporary art and I loved how strange and unique some of the artworks were! That trip changed my perception of what art was and what it could be, and that was when I began to consider a career in the museum field.
Concentration in program: Museum Education
Article or idea about the museum sector that intrigues them: How museums respond to political, social, and cultural crises and how they can be better at supporting the communities they claim to advocate for.
Industry conferences/workshops attended: VEX Conference 2023
Professional / Civic Affiliations: AAM Student Member, Helen Gurely Brown Foundation BOLD Scholar & Fellow
What type of museum do you want to intern/work for and why: An art museum! I grew up surrounded by art and going to art museums and I love how vast the world of visual art is. My bachelor's degree is in Art History and I enjoyed learning why an artist created a work and what was going on in the world at that time that may have motivated them. I truly think that art has the power to bring us together and help us learn more about ourselves and the world around us.
What do you hope to contribute to a professional job/internship: I hope to contribute my creative ideas, flexibility, and love of learning. In any situation, I use my experiences to approach any issue, am quick on my feet, and I am open to learning new things. There are so many ways to be involved in the museum field and I bring my eagerness to learn and grow in any position I am in.
What do you hope to learn in a professional job/internship: In any professional job or internship, I simply hope to learn new things. I want to learn the inner workings of a museum and how the role of a museum educator connects to the operations of an entire institution. I also hope to learn how to connect with nearby communities and the best ways to address their needs. Most of all, I want to learn how to use museums to advocate for social justice and change.