Back by popular demand, here is part two of our museum jobs you might not know about! In case you missed Part 1, here’s a recap: You might know that museums have curators, educators, and shop employees, but did you know that at the Carter, we also have accountants, security guards, librarians, and so much more? Museums are full of jobs that many people may not know about, and in honor of last month’s College Night, we’re introducing a few of the employees at the Carter who have interesting jobs that may need some explaining!

Describe your job in two sentences.

Allee Austin (AA): I’m the associate archivist and records manager at the Museum, so I help with gathering and organizing records that document the Museum’s history and activities for future staff and researchers. I also help with the organization and access to our artist archives that give insight into the artist’s lives and how they created their art through materials they collected throughout their lives.

Miguel Cazares (MC): I am a Bilingual Gallery Teacher. My job is structured with many opportunities of self-learning, along with controlled and adaptive chaos. Our gallery teaching team is great, and we definitely learn and grow from each other.

Peyton Farrell (PF): In Creative Services, we design the branded marketing pieces a visitor may see within the walls of the Museum as well as out in the world on a billboard, print ad, or digital ad. We also create the supporting material for special exhibitions, membership, education, and other events at the Carter.

Jara Lang (JL): In the Development Office, we work daily to find new relationships while strengthening existing ones with people, businesses, and foundations. We use these connections to bring in revenue in support of the Museum’s mission. As the Stewardship Coordinator, it is my job to maintain those relationships through a strategic communication and reporting strategy.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

AA: Being in an archive is a treasure trove of really cool items to work with—diaries from the 1800s, camera equipment from the 1950s, and other people’s mail that you can legally read. I love getting to handle the materials and pull them out to show people.

MC: Getting to work with students and engage them in ways they couldn't have imagined. Being intentional when creating K-12 programming and breaking down language, accessibility, socioeconomic barriers, while centering student voices.

PF: Outside of my day-to-day work I love being able to call the Museum my office, my place of work. It’s a special feeling to be able to walk in before guests and back-of-house where my office is located. Also being able to walk around and look at art and see the activities going on throughout the Carter is a nice break away from the computer.

JL: I love sharing my passion for the Carter with people every day. It is a joy to explain to someone how their donation enables us to share American art with so many people – for free. I get to share success stories from every department in the Museum, from education events for children, to facility improvement projects, and everything in between.

What advice would you give to those wanting a job in the art or museum field?

AA: Making connections and getting experience where you can is a huge help, even if it’s volunteering occasionally or doing internships. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be open minded about different opportunities and feedback!

PF: Connections. Even small acquaintance connections can lead you to the job you’re looking for. Create a web of connections and let them know the job you’re looking for and keep in touch. You never know someone who knows someone that has you in mind for a position.

Is there an unexpected skill that you need to do your job?

MC: An unexpected skill that I didn't know I would need for my job would be how to pack in an assembly line (yes, just like Lucille Ball) and how to drive a delivery van.

PF: Communication … translation? Being able to understand and work with different communication styles. Then having the skill to translate that communication into design. Not everyone is artsy or creative so being able to translate and understand a project manager’s thoughts and directions into a nice-looking design can be a skill.

JL: Memory! We try to ensure that every member feels “seen and heard.” One of the best ways is greeting members by name, and to ask about what is happening in their lives. I don’t have the best memory, and this is a hard task for me, but an important one! The rewards are tremendous—seeing their smiles, and their eyes light up with interest, that’s what encourages people to trust the Carter with their investment, be it an investment of money, time, artwork, or more.

To learn more about what other staff at the Carter are working on and their jobs, check out other blog posts or visit the Carter during a future College Night (if you are an undergraduate or graduate student) or Second Thursday at the Carter.