This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with the Canadian Federation of Friends of Museums (CFFM). As an undergraduate student at Â鶹AV majoring in Anthropology and Psychology, this experience provided me with invaluable insights and practical skills in the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) sector. My primary motivation for pursuing this internship was to gain hands-on experience in museum operations and contribute to meaningful projects within the cultural heritage field. I sought to enhance my skills in event coordination, communications and public engagement, while also building a professional network with museum and cultural sector professionals.
CFFM is dedicated to supporting and promoting museums and cultural institutions across Canada. Their mission is to advocate for the interests of museum volunteers and foster a vibrant network of museum friends and professionals. Additionally, through the Young Friends Groups, they provide emerging museum professionals with a network of likeminded individuals and interesting heritage tours/events. This mission resonated with my academic interests and career aspirations, making the CFFM internship a perfect fit for my goals.
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During my internship, I was involved in a variety of event planning. A notable experience was actually joining one of the events I coordinated. It featured a tour of the Â鶹AV Visual Arts Collection. This event allowed me to connect with Montreal Young Friends Coordinators Audrey Gray and Qinglian Zhang, engage with Â鶹AV museum professionals, and appreciate the impressive collection. I also assisted in coordinating the Fall event programs for both the Montreal and Ottawa YF chapters and contributed to expanding YF to new cities across Canada, such as one in Kingston starting this fall.
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In addition to event coordination, I had the opportunity to contribute to CFFM’s communications and publications. I wrote an article for the September issue of Volunteer Voices, focusing on Mr. Ghislain Picard, President of the McCord-Stewart Museum Board. This piece highlighted his significant contributions to the cultural sector and provided valuable experience in crafting engaging content for museum-related publications. Furthermore, I developed graphics and content for CFFM’s social media channels, which enhanced my skills in digital communication and visual storytelling.
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A key highlight of my internship was participating in a CFFM Board Meeting in June. As the Recording Secretary, I prepared the Meeting Minutes. This experience offered me a first chance at understanding board governance and procedures, providing essential insights into the operational aspects of non-profit organizations.
Madeline (also a CFFM Intern this summer) and I participated in an Indigenous Allyship workshop at the McCord-Stewart Museum in August which equipped us with the tools to be an effective ally in Indigenous reconciliation efforts, aligning with my commitment to cultural and social responsibility. Additionally, I am involved in organizing the CMA-CFFM Networking Event at Maison Forget. This event is a collaboration between the Canadian Museum Association and the Canadian Federation of Friends of Museums which provided an excellent opportunity to engage with professionals in a sector that fits well with my current studies. As such, the impact of this internship on my academic and professional journey has been profound. It has broadened my understanding of museum operations, allowed me to develop practical skills, and expanded my professional network. I am deeply grateful for the support and funding provided, which made this opportunity possible.
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In conclusion, my internship at CFFM has been a rewarding and transformative experience. I am grateful to have received funding from Ms. Gail Todgham through the Gail Todgham Internship Award. I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge gained during this internship to my future career and continuing my commitment to supporting cultural heritage and the arts in Canada.
