IU anthropology major Kal Demaree is working with IU Collections to gain hands-on experience with museum practices and pursue her dreams of showcasing historical items. As the first recipient of the Michael A. McRobbie University Collections Internship, she will gain important real-world experience that she can utilize in her future career.
"I am so excited to be part of the McRobbie Collections Internship program," said Demaree, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. "Through this program, I feel like I have found my niche and I am so excited to come to work every day. I know I have a lot to learn about curation, and I am confident this new position will provide me the opportunity to learn."
Demaree, who has dual minors in Educational Studies and Folklore and Ethnomusicology, began working with IU Collections and the American Indian Studies Research Institute in March to document, sort and digitize artifacts from the Pawnee and other Indigenous Peoples.
In her new expanded role, she will work closely with McCalla Museum Services Generalist Erica Kendall to shadow her work, give museum tours at the University Collections at McCalla, assist with exhibit development and manage large historical projects.
After graduation, Demaree hopes to pursue a graduate degree in curation or museum studies.
"I have been interested in historical items ever since I was a child," says Demaree.
The internship is funded through the Board of Aeons, a student organization that works closely with IU presidents to offer innovative solutions to campus issues. 2022 marks the organization’s 101st anniversary. An anniversary reunion occurred October 21 to 23.