Arts Administration fellow Juliet Lee explores career paths in museum

Sophomore art history major Juliet Lee entered the Arts Administration Fellowship program with the goal of working in a museum after graduation. During her first year in the program and a summer placement with Art Galleries at Black Studies, she gained hands-on experience in everything from curatorial research to exhibition planning and event support. Lee will be placed in an internship at a community arts organization in summer 2027 for the second year of her fellowship. In this Q&A, Lee shares how the fellowship expanded her understanding of museum careers and helped her connect skills from the classroom with professional practice.

What kinds of projects or responsibilities have you taken on through your fellowship?

My projects included researching an upcoming exhibition and creating a self-guided tour resource, helping run a catalog launch event and contacting artists to obtain signed forms for a nonexclusive image-rights project. I also developed and presented an independent exhibition proposal.

What interested you in the Arts Administration Fellowship?

I was interested in the fellowship because I am pursuing a minor in Arts Administration and have a strong interest in museum work.

Tell us about a project, experience or accomplishment from your fellowship that has been especially meaningful to you.

My final internship project and presentation allowed me to explore my interests through the lens of Black contemporary art and conduct independent curatorial research. The project could serve as a starting point for future research, and it gave me valuable insight into curatorial practice.

How has the fellowship helped you connect what you are learning at UT with the professional arts world?

The fellowship gave me hands-on experience working within a museum institution. I gained a better understanding of museum functions, goals and roles while applying the writing, research and analytical skills I have developed through my UT coursework.

What skills are you developing that you think will be valuable in your future career?

I developed communication, time-management and organizational skills that will be valuable in managing relationships, staying on track with long-term projects and navigating multiple projects at once.

What are your career aspirations?

I aspire to work in a museum institution. Right now, I am most interested in a career related to collections and exhibition management or curatorial work.

Has this experience influenced what you would like to do after graduation?

Yes. This experience made me even more confident that I want to pursue a career in the museum field. It also introduced me to roles beyond curatorial practice, including registration and public programming.

What advice would you give another student who is considering applying for the Arts Administration Fellowship?

Consider how the program could shape your career journey and what you hope to gain from the experience. Intentionality and curiosity are central to the fellowship and will help your application stand out.

For more information about the Arts Administration Fellowship program, or to apply, click here. The deadline for applications for the Summer 2027 cohort is Sept. 30, 2026.