SI-ASB-2009: Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art


Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art 950 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC nmafa.si.edu/index2.html	Projects 2
Smithsonian Museum dedicated to exhibiting and increasing knowledge of the arts of Africa. African art embodies one of humanity's greatest achievements--fusing visual imagery with spiritual beliefs and social purpose. Its technical achievements and artistic perfection bear witness to the creative ingenuity of its makers. Religious beliefs and cultural ideals find artistic expression not only in masks and figures created primarily for ceremonial purposes, but also in the utilitarian objects of daily life. The collection of the National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) embraces the diverse artistic expressions found throughout Africa, from ancient to contemporary times. Collection objects range from ceramics, textiles, furniture and tools to masks, figures and musical instruments. The arts of painting, printmaking, sculpture and other media are well represented by living artists whose works highlight individual creativity, address global and local art trends and innovatively transform artistic traditions into modern idioms.
Photos and Comments

The project was to design a webpage for docents at NMAfA. It consisted of a number of different pages to facilitate learning of these docents online. The organization as well as the supervisor was great and very friendly. They were quite helpful in addressing the issues we faced.

Projects

Docent webpage

Intern: Kumar Mayank, Janani Bhuvaneswari Sundar

Code: SINMAA-01

Interns
1-3

Create webpage for password-protected use by 40 docent volunteers. Page will have areas for content (uploaded journal articles book chapters etc.) sample tours with images and text and video. Webpage will also offer a shared calendar into which docents can schedule tour appointments. Ideally webpage will include interactives such as a blog and wiki-like information development.

Unmatched Projects

Podcast webpage

Code: SINMAA-02

Interns
1

Create web page and templates for 10-minute podcasts mini-lectures that will focus on aspects of museum's collection of African art. To be used by researchers students and others at home or school. In future will be accessible by cell phone in the museum galleries.

The SI Alternative Spring Break is open to graduate students of the University of Michigan's School of Information. Undergraduates looking for Alternative Spring Break opportunities should look into the University of Michigan Alternative Spring Break program administered by U-M's Ginsberg Center.