IVC offers access to museums and galleries through new art program
Art History Professor Amy Grimm gives lecture on Andy Warhol. (Anibal Santos / Lariat)
IVC Art History Professor Amy Grimm is currently heading a newly developed program in Applied Museum Studies that is exclusive to Irvine Valley College.
Grimm offers students the opportunity to go behind the scenes in Galleries and Museums by gaining valuable knowledge from experts and hands-on experience.
“The key elements are we are not just working not just in the classroom, but we are actively in the field talking to experts who do this type of work,” Grimm said.
According to Grimm, Orange County and neighboring cities offer great opportunities for museum visits and guest lectures.
“Because of the area that we are in (Orange County) we have an embarrassment of riches. We have so many fantastic museums here, plus in greater San Diego, Los Angeles and Palm Spring areas. We’re kind of spoiled here, but in a good way,” she said.
Grimm’s experience in the museum field spans over 15 years.
She has worked in the Albany Institute of History & Art, the South Carolina State Museum, the El Paso Museum of Art and recently the Long Beach Museum of Art.
Representatives from LACMA, The Hammer, OCMA and among many others are set to visit IVC for students to hear from those working inside museums and galleries.
“We are working with people who are at the top of their careers. We have some great colleagues who are the best of the best to come and spend time with us and my students which is pretty fantastic,” said Grimm.
The Museum Applied Studies program is still new to IVC, but the response has been positive according to Grimm.
“We are getting good feedback from working professionals to help make our students more marketable,” she said. “Our students are really going to have a competitive edge.”
Grimm begins teaching Collections Management (ARTH 115) this Friday, Oct .19 in IVC.
IVC students view documentary while in Professor Grimm’s class. (Anibal Santos / Lariat)