NDSU students gain real-world experience in museum and exhibition field
A group of public history and history students received a behind-the-scenes educational experience in the museum and exhibition field on a trip to Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska last month over Spring Break.
The trip included a hands-on workshop at Upland Exhibits in Newton, Kansas, where students learned about exhibit planning, fabrication, project management and client collaboration directly from industry professionals. Students also traveled to Overland Park, Kansas, to tour Dimensional Innovations, the experience design firm currently producing exhibits for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
“The trip gave us a holistic view of exhibit design,” said Jordan Nelson, a junior majoring in public history and anthropology, from Milaca Minnesota. “We visited Dimensional Innovations and Upland Exhibits, two very different but very talented design companies. On our tours, they showed us how they turn places' ideas into reality. Upland Exhibits went into detail about their collaborative process with the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection's new exhibit. This opened students' eyes to a part of museums our classes do not fully teach us.”
Among the skills Nelson learned from the trip include thinking outside the box, collaboration and finding inspiration from others. Nelson also enjoyed connecting with professionals.
“Everyone we spoke with had a different career path, meaning there is no one right way to joining this line of work,” Nelson said. “What I took from it was that it takes a few tries to land somewhere as interesting as the big museums we went to, and it takes all kinds of skills. For me, I need to go at my own pace and put myself out there to get to where I want to go.”
Olivia Larsen, a freshman majoring in sport management, from Hastings, Minnesota, said she enjoyed seeing the importance of collaboration across various roles in the field.
“I learned just how important teamwork is in the working field. Not only to have a positive work environment but also to have successful projects,” she said.
The museum and exhibition field trip was led by Germans from Russia Heritage Collection at NDSU. The trip was made possible through the generosity of GRHC donors who continue to invest in student learning and professional development.
“This trip was an incredible opportunity for students to learn how exhibitions move from concept to installation and to engage directly with professionals who are shaping the future of museum storytelling,” said Jeremy Kopp, outreach and operations coordinator of the GRHC. “Co-leading this trip was a highlight of my year, and I am grateful for our donors who support student-focused experiences like this.”
For more information about the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection and its educational initiatives, visit the GRHC’s website.
