MA in Art History

Emma Paskey

How did you decide to pursue an MA in Art History?

I decided to pursue an MA in Art History because of my passion for art and my personal experiences with museums. I attended George Mason University as an undergraduate as well, and the proximity to DC allowed me to see the practical applications of my degree and the way our classroom content connects to the real world. Being able to see these connections helped to illustrate the importance of art history in our day to day lives. This encouraged me to continue my education in order to pursue the career I want and strengthen my knowledge of the field.

What have you learned in an art history class that really surprised you or changed your perspective?

My seminar courses at Mason have constantly emphasized the interconnected nature of cultures throughout history. This has caused me to question the clear cut model we use to study history which involves dividing the past into sections based on time and geographic location. While this is a useful starting point, I’ve been surprised by how artificial this categorization can seem at times. Being able to see the connected nature of human history has changed the way I approach my own studies within art history. 

Have you had any internships? Or interesting jobs or volunteer experience? Tell us about it/them.

For the past two years, I have worked as a Lead Explainer in the education department at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In this role, I have the opportunity to teach lessons to visitors on the museum floor. I’ve also been able to work on developing facilitation for one of our stations, Observing the Earth From Above. I worked with my supervisor to bring this lesson that he had created to the museum floor, which was one of my favorite experiences in this role. 

Any accomplishments you’re proud of? Opportunities you’ve taken advantage of?

I've been grateful for the opportunities George Mason University has granted me throughout my time here as an undergraduate and graduate student. I am currently writing my thesis on 17th century Dutch dollhouses, and with the assistance of department funding I was able to travel and see these dollhouses in person. This was a truly impactful experience which significantly enhanced my research and writing. In my time as an undergraduate student, I was also able to travel with Dr. Bauman and Dr. Gregg's study abroad program in France. Through this program I learned about urbanization from Ancient Rome to the modern city of Paris while engaging directly with the course content in the real world. Both of these opportunities have been some of the most incredible parts of my academic experience. 

Are there any faculty members who made a difference during your Mason career?

George Mason's art history faculty have created a wonderful learning environment and community. In one way or another, each faculty member who I’ve been fortunate enough to take a course with has left a meaningful impact on me. I want to specifically thank Dr. Ho, Dr. Bauman, and Dr. DeCaroli for how much they’ve supported me and helped me throughout my time at Mason. Dr. Ho is my thesis advisor and has helped me discover what I want to study in art history. She has been an incredible role model for me and has offered me significant guidance in my current academic career and for my future ambitions. I am always grateful for her support and advice. I have also had an incredible experience being Dr. Bauman’s teaching assistant this past semester. She has helped me realize my passion for education and encouraged me to pursue that. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with her and learn from her so early in my career. Additionally, I want to thank Dr. DeCaroli for being a significant support for me, especially in my early George Mason career. He helped me establish my own personal standard of excellence for my work, and I’m grateful for all the learning opportunities he has created for me at Mason. 

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?

To incoming graduate students, I would say take advantage of every opportunity this program has to offer. The faculty here are supportive and always willing to help. We have a great campus community in our department as well. Mason is full of opportunities for students who seek them out. The program has so much to offer you, remember to make the most of it!

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

Following graduation, I intend to apply for roles in museum education or visitor experience in art museums. I am passionate about engaging with people and creating an exceptional museum experience for visitors. I want to provide others with the opportunity to create personal connections with art in a museum context. After spending a little while working in museums, I intend to apply to PhD programs. My long-term career goal is to continue in education as a professor. Ultimately, I want to be sure that I get to keep teaching and keep engaging with art!