Student Opportunities
Our Mission
The Museums at W&L advance learning through direct engagement with the collections and facilitate an interdisciplinary appreciation of art, history, and culture.
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Museums on campus provide W&L students academic opportunities including internships, undergraduate research and work experiences, independent study and capstones, special classrooms and programming, student engagement, and more.
Academic Engagement
Zhang Xiaoli
- Katie Lawson, Class of 2026, 2025 Apprentice to artist Zhang Xiaoli
- Sylvia Churchill, Class of 2027, 2025 Apprentice to artist Zhang Xiaoli
At the W&L Art Museums and Galleries, students gain meaningful, hands-on experience through collaborative projects with dedicated museum professionals. Internships are offered throughout the year, including a paid, eight-week summer internship designed for students interested in fine and decorative arts – no prior museum experience required. Opportunities are available in Education and Programming, Collections Management, and Exhibitions.
Collections Management: Learn the skills of preserving and preparing for exhibitions, rehousing objects, evaluating the condition of objects, including:
- Collection imaging and photography in support of collections access to support research by students, faculty, and the public.
- Object record data entry to ensure accurate and complete collection records.
- Collection inventory to update records on the physical condition and location of collections.
Exhibitions: Develop skills in researching artists, artworks, media, and techniques to support the development of exhibitions, including:
- Exhibition design
- Installation planning
- Writing object and exhibition labels
Education and Programming: Learn to design engaging experiences for visitors through public programs and exhibition guides, including:
- Developing plans to connect to student organizations and groups.
- Proposing student events and activities such as lectures, films, gallery talks, and hands-on activities for all ages.
If you are interested, email us at museums@wlu.edu.
- Katie Lawson, Class of 2026, 2025 Apprentice to artist Zhang Xiaoli
- Sylvia Churchill, Class of 2027, 2025 Apprentice to artist Zhang Xiaoli
Past Summer Interns
- Daxon Citron, Class of 2026, 2024 Collections and Curatorial Summer Intern
- Eric Ward, Class of 2026, 2024 Engagement and Interpretation Summer Intern
- Grace McCurdy, Class of 2026, 2023 Collections Summer Intern
- Peyton Quimby, Class of 2024, 2023 Engagement and Interpretation Summer Intern
- Hailey Neaman, Class of 2025, 2023 Curatorial Summer Intern
- Hailey Neaman, Class of 2025, 2022 Collections Summer Intern
- Kaylin Jury, Class of 2024, 2022 Collections Summer Intern
- Amelia Lancaster, Class of 2022, 2021 Collections Summer Intern
- Laurel Myers, Class of 2020, 2019 Collections Summer Intern
- Virginia Laurie, Class of 2022, 2019 Collections Summer Intern
- Charlotte Cook, Class of 2019, 2019 Collections Summer Intern
- Matthew Richards, Class of 2019, 2019 Collections Summer Intern
The Art and Art History Department offers a Minor in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies. In support of the minor, the Museums at W&L offer ARTH 398: Seminar in Museum Studies and ARTH 348: Chinese Export Porcelain and the China Trade, 1500 to 1900, instructed by museum staff.
This annual award is named in honor of Thomas V. Litzenburg Jr., Class of 1957, and former director of the Reeves Center. The award recognizes a graduating student who demonstrates outstanding achievement in research, creativity, and curatorial work with the museum’s collections.
Past Recipients
- 2025 Hailey Neaman
- 2024 Aislinn Niimi
- 2023 Merrill Dowdy
- 2022 Amelia Lancaster
- 2020 Kassidy Strosnider
- 2019 David R. Salchert
- 2018 Julie Ruth Malone
- 2017 Arianna India Dial
- 2016 Hannah Tyler Wilson
- 2016 Kendall Christine Knoll
- 2013 Ellen Margaretta Archie
- 2012 Rachel Elyse Denniston
- 2011 Kathryn Bradley Gephart
- 2010 Lauren Frances Sturdy
- 2008 Madeline Lilia Gent
- 2007 Anne Taylor Tipton
- 2005 Michael David Letournea
- 2004 Clay Tillman Jackson, Jr.
Student Engagement
During the academic year, the Art Museum and Galleries at W&L provide a mix of art, food, and entertainment programs, both virtually and in person. Including lecture series, interactive experiences, mindfulness workshops, gallery talks, and much more. Follow us on social media for event updates.
The Art Museum and Galleries at W&L wishes to help each student grow into engaged and change-making citizens. It’s essential that Washington and Lee students know that they are seen, heard, and valued by the Museums. Incorporating student reflections into exhibitions and programming is a continued goal. Below are just a few ways in which students engage with and reflect on Museums collections.
Studies have shown that art enhances brain function, improves well-being, and boosts creative thinking. So, elevate your study game in a quiet and art-filled environment at the Watson Galleries. Learn more about Quiet Study CramSesh.
The Museums Student Engagement Committee (MSEC) at W&L was established in December 2023 to strengthen the connection between the student body and the W&L Art Museum and Galleries (AMG). The student committee plays a pivotal role in ensuring that AMG remains a vibrant, relevant, and engaging space for learning and social interaction. By serving as a bridge between students and AMG, MSEC members provide valuable insights into what students want and expect from their campus museum, helping to shape programming, exhibitions, and events that resonate with their peers. Learn more about MSEC.
Get Involved
Throughout the year the Art Museum and Galleries at W&L offers various paid employment opportunities for WLU undergraduate students. These can include curatorial work and museum education, and positions in the Museums Shop. Student employees contribute to, and experience, diverse areas of Museum work. It is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for art, business, culture, history, and/or museums. Work schedules for student staff are flexible to accommodate class schedules and include some evening and weekend hours.
Positions include:
- Art Museum and Galleries Administrative Aids serve as organizers and “behind-the-scenes” support for the Art Museum and Galleries. Aids facilitate interdepartmental communications and work one-on-one with the Museum Administrator to address the clerical and operational needs of the Art Museum and Galleries and their staff.
- Art Museum and Galleries Assistants serve as liaisons between the Museums and the university and work one-on-one with the Curator of Academic Engagement on education, exhibition, and/or collections research, contributing to upcoming shows.
- Art Museum and Galleries Attendants serve as front-line ambassadors to the Reeves Museum of Ceramics and the Watson Galleries. Attendants are directly responsible for setting the tone of every museum visit by welcoming each visitor. Art Museum and Galleries Attendants work with the Visitor Services and Retail Manager to provide excellent visitor services while maintaining a safe and secure environment and protecting the museum’s collection.
As a member, you and your peers will have a direct impact on the mission of the committee. You’ll help us:
- Promote the museum as a welcoming space through events and exhibitions
- Plan social activities and events inspired by the art collection
- Serve as an advisor to the Museums
- Collaborate with student groups to promote the Museums
Stay Connected
Stay connected with the Museums at W&L through our Instagram and Facebook, or join our Museums at W&L mailing list.
Student Opportunities
Students are active and hands-on in museum, exhibit and gallery spaces across campus.
