Madison Pope
Art History (BA)
Visual Arts Management Minor
What would you say has been the most surprising thing you learned at Columbia?
The most surprising things I learned at Columbia were during a study abroad course in Rome called Cultural Heritage Management. Being immersed in a completely new environment, I was challenged to see the world through a new lens. Throughout my time at Columbia, I was taught to approach topics through various perspectives, which really enables you to think in ways you never may have before.
What experiences or courses at Columbia do you feel have been beneficial?
The Business of Visual Arts course explored how vast the art world is, especially in Chicago! We went on site visits to museums, galleries, auction houses, and more to meet with art-world professionals and artists. It’s a great class to take if you’d like to know more about the many things you can do in the visual arts, and also extremely fun!
The Curatorial and Gallery Practicum courses were by-far the most beneficial to me at Columbia. I have been curating an exhibition for the Hokin Project Gallery, which is an extremely collaborative endeavor. Working with colleagues and professors gave me the real-world professional experience that I will benefit from after graduation.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to work within a museum or gallery space while also independently curating shows. I’d love to gain more working experience before attending graduate school, where I’d like to continue studying Modern and Contemporary Art history and/or arts administration.
Do you have any advice for current students?
My advice for current students is to visit the Museum of Contemporary Photography we have on campus. There are always put on amazing exhibitions, and you can even go on a tour, or view their collection of 16,000+ photos for free! It's an amazing resource for students, whether you study photography, like seeing new art, or just want to de-stress. I highly recommend it.
