On the first day of my internship, I experienced and wrote about Hervé Tullet’s Art of Play, embracing the idea of creating with joy and spontaneity. As I reflect on my final day at the Evanston Art Center, I find myself returning to this theme. It takes me back to my early grade school days when my passion for learning and creativity first ignited. I remember staying up late, writing and illustrating a full-length storybook so I could be the guest reader for my class’s storytime. Another year, I turned a simple book report project about a lost dog into a Pet Supply Drive for my local animal shelter. In high school, rather than joining the popular Model UN or Science Olympiad, I immersed myself in leading a fashion magazine and a literary arts magazine.
Now, as a humanities major in university, I often field questions about “what I’m going to do with that” and how my studies of “old” stories and books will translate into a career in today’s competitive economy. At the EAC, I’ve rediscovered my sense of joyfulness and spontaneity, realizing that the skills and passions underlying all my academic and creative work have found their place. I’ve learned that the notion of artists being confined to their paintings and writers buried in dusty book spines is a glaring misconception. You don’t have to be a household name or a groundbreaking artist with a missing ear to make a meaningful impact. Artists and writers are everywhere, and I see them daily in every vibrant corner of the EAC.
I have witnessed Tanea’s art in capturing the beauty of simple moments at the EAC through images and videos and her laughter-filled way of inspiring young students to unleash their creativity. Emma Rose consistently perfects the art of creating welcoming spaces—whether through designing galleries, planning an event, or fostering environments brimming with trust and comfort for everyone involved. Paula, with her stylish approach to leadership, positions herself among her peers rather than above them. Her love for cowgirl boots and metallic flats, her knack for energizing the EAC team with humor and enthusiasm, and her ability to engage in meaningful conversations with anyone and everyone have all been sources of profound inspiration.
In this environment, my whimsical approach to philosophy, reading, and writing has evolved into designs that draw people to events, language that motivates others to join our mission and connections that will extend beyond the walls and sharp lighting of the art gallery. I honed the practical skills of writing press releases, crafting grant narratives, designing postcards and flyers, and reporting and analyzing data. All the while I spent memorable hours working and chatting with other wonderful interns—Zoey, Jane, and Sophia—and enjoyed the ever-present baked goods that seemed to gather at our central office table. These everyday moments of learning and connection were what made this experience so enriching and showed me the uplifting kind of work environment that emerges from a blend of focus, collaboration, and creativity.
Without the skills and the invaluable lessons from the EAC, my passion for pursuing a career, or at least a lifelong interest, in museum business, creative marketing, and curation would not be as strong. I want to tell anyone who believes that an affinity for the arts or humanities is incompatible with big dreams that they are mistaken. There is a way to bridge the excitement of the young child in you—who was thrilled by every chance to paint or discuss a new book—to your career and your life. Whether I end up in the museum industry or elsewhere, I will carry with me the skills and energy I’ve learned from the EAC staff and mission. Most importantly, I will bring joy, embrace playfulness, and recognize the art in everyone.
Sincerely,
Meghan Noe