Ellie Honl '07
UIMA Student Technician Intern
Graduate student, School of Art and Art History

Hometown: Stevens Point, Wisconsin

As a printmaking student in the School of Art and Art History in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Ellie Honl has relished her work as a student technician intern at the UI Museum of Art (UIMA).

"Working with the curators, I have access to such an incredible collection," Ellie points out, "and I've learned about what goes on behind the scenes at a museum, everything from prepping exhibition spaces to lighting to cataloging."

Ellie's just one of many students -- from elementary through graduate school -- for whom the museum is a rich resource, thanks in large part to private contributors who believe in the museum's mission as an educational arts center.

For example, the Widen Our World program brings third graders to the museum; the Discover Africa program exposes eighth graders to African culture through the museum's renowned African collection; and UI undergraduate and graduate students use the museum for research and career preparation. With assistance from contributors, the museum hopes to establish a high school internship program as well.

For Ellie, the museum is an important part of her graduate education. "The museum has been really supportive," she says, adding that she looks forward to being part of the annual exhibition of UI M.F.A. students' work when she graduates.

That level of educational support from the museum wouldn't be possible without assistance from the contributors who help UIMA open its doors to the UI and wider communities.

Read other student and beneficiary profiles