The Summer CAMP (Creating Academic Museum Professionals) seminar aims to prepare Penn graduate students for the challenges and opportunities of a museum career through a series of seminars and workshops at the Penn Museum as well as visits to other Philadelphia-area institutions. This 5-day intensive program introduces participants to a broad spectrum of skills and knowledge sets necessary for academics planning to pursue professional careers in museums, from exhibitions, collections, and curation to education, outreach, and development. The Penn Museum strongly encourages applications from students who are members of groups underrepresented in careers related to museums.
The next CAMP program will most likely be offered in Summer 2022.
Eligibility
This program is open to University of Pennsylvania graduate students.
Participants must be an active students, enrolled for the upcoming Fall Semester, to maintain eligibility.
How to Apply
Prior to completing the online application form, you should prepare the following:
- A 500-word maximum essay describing how participating in this seminar will help prepare you for your future academic and/or professional goals
- A resume or curriculum vitae
- A letter of recommendation from a current or former college professor, academic advisor, or employer who can speak to your qualifications for this program. The letter must be sent separately via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with the applicant’s full name in the subject line
Participants are selected based on their academic background, professional skills, interests, and career goals. All accepted participants will be notified by mid-May.
Program Topics
- Becoming a Museum Professional
- Visitor Experience
- Program Budgets
- Exhibitions
- Marketing and PR
- Collections, Conservation, and Curation
- Public Programming and Community Outreach
- K-12 and Group Education
- Current Issues in Museums
The program will also include visits to other Philadelphia museums.