Samantha Timm

Samantha felt that the experience of working with York Art Gallery on her placement equipped her to succeed as a museum educator and curator

Original Interview

My education at the University of York and experience at the York Art Gallery have been invaluable and an essential part of my growth as a scholar. The History of Art Department’s instruction and dissertation advising is top-notch, and has helped me solidify research skills which I was able to apply to my work at the York Art Gallery. As the Friends of York Art Gallery’s MA Scholar for 2016-17, I curated two displays in support of the feature exhibition Albert Moore: Of Beauty and Aesthetics. My expertise in 19th-century British art and the style of Aestheticism was well suited for this purpose, especially in writing the exhibition texts and labels for my two rooms featuring 19th-century painting and the Moore family paintings in the collection.

This important feature is the first exhibition of Albert Moore’s work since his memorial exhibition in 1894. The appeal lies in the outstanding and rare selection of works, unified themes of later 19th-century painting, and clever displays.

With the guidance of the Gallery’s Assistant Curator, Jennifer Alexander, I have also honed my ability to draw on the collection’s strengths. Furthermore, I am currently working with the Gallery’s Curator of Learning, Gaby Lees, and facilitating the Welcome Team to curate the Community Chest. The Community Chest is a set of drawers that will contain a vibrant selection of works on paper, accompanied by a small book of interpretive materials and insights about the works.

My experience at studying at the University of York and working at York Art Gallery has been invaluable, and has equipped me to succeed as a museum educator and curator.