Illustration major Justine Massabny has gained extensive professional experience at the Montclair Art Museum (MAM) through a series of roles including Education Intern, SummerArt Associate, and currently Education Design Intern. She led the redesign of the Family Learning Lab in conjunction with exhibitions featuring Tom Nussbaum and Christine Romanell, managed the project from concept to completion, and assisted with installation of educational vinyls. Her work also includes designing educational materials, supporting events like exhibition openings and docent training, leading gallery tours, and exhibiting her own artwork in MAM's Summer Staff Gallery. She discovered the internship through Handshake, supported by Montclair State University's partnership with MAM.
This story matters because it highlights how university-museum partnerships can provide students with hands-on, high-impact professional opportunities that bridge academic study and real-world museum practice. Massabny's experience demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary learning—combining illustration, art history, and museum education—and shows how student contributions can directly enhance public engagement with art. It also underscores the importance of accessible, inclusive museum programming that connects gallery exhibitions with interactive family spaces.