The ecology of arts and humanities education: Bridging the worlds of universities and museums

Abstract

In recent years, colleges and universities have been talking seriously about civic learning, but other stakeholders, particularly public arts, culture, and humanities institutions, must be part of the conversation in order to create a context for learning that develops the skills of graduates in robust ways that reflect the full promise of liberal education. This piece places museums within the ecology of higher education through the experiences of faculty, curators, and students in one of the most museum-rich regions in the nation, Washington, DC. Students bridge the worlds of higher education and museums as research fellows, interns, and young professionals. Their experiences provide a window into thinking about the roles of faculty and curator mentors and the importance of finding the intersections between higher education and museums in the ecology of arts and humanities learning and practice.