Whether you are interested in mathematics or physics, art or art history, political science or social work—the Museum can be a great resource for your ideas! The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, part of the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University, offers opportunities to support independent student research projects as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Award program (SURA).
Whether you are interested in mathematics or physics, art or art history, political science or social work—the Museum can be a great resource for your ideas! The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, part of the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University, offers opportunities to support independent student research projects as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Award program (SURA).
Interested students can come from any academic discipline—not just art or art history—provided that their original research projects are specifically connected to artworks or artists represented in the Museum’s permanent collection or focused on the activities and mission of the Museum. The permanent collection can be explored on the Museum’s website: http://www.kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu/collection/explore.
Student research projects could be shaped in any number of ways. For example, an artwork from the collection could be the basis for a musical composition, dance performance, poem, or short story. Close examination of multiple objects by a single artist could reveal insights into the artist’s research and choice of materials and techniques. Explorations of the Museum’s institutional history (founded in 1881) could produce an analysis of the ways in which the focus of the collection or special exhibitions has changed over the decades. Data visualization projects could be designed to illustrate visitor habits or map locations represented in artworks.
Proposals for exhibitions are not considered for this program, as there is a separate opportunity for art history majors—the Arthur Greenberg Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship—offered by the Museum and the Department of Art History and Archaeology. Also, please note that this opportunity is not designed to be a traditional internship, in which students would shadow Museum staff in various departments and work regular office hours.
Nominations are made by a faculty advisor and/or a member of the Museum’s staff. We encourage you to discuss potential projects with Rochelle Caruthers, the Museum’s University Academic Programs Coordinator, who can help brainstorm collaborations and mentors.
Research proposals should incorporate a clearly articulated goal for the project, as well as a feasible schedule, plan for implementation, and detailed budget (if appropriate). Recipients may be asked by the Museum to report on what they have learned by participating in a public presentation or producing a written summary for use on the Museum’s website, social media, or other publication.
Project Timeframe: The SURA project should take place in summer prior to junior or senior year.
The Award: One award is available for a project that is expected to last for less than ten weeks ($2,500 max. award).
Eligibility: WashU undergraduate student in good academic standing. Candidates must have excellent research skills in addition to a background in the discipline directly related to the proposed project.
Deadline: The online SURA application should be completed by March 1.
Museum Contact: Rochelle Caruthers, University Academic Programs Coordinator, (314) 935-9433 / rochelle.caruthers@wustl.edu / Kemper Room 208
