Introducing the 2023-2024 Museum Student Ambassadors

Now in its third year since the program’s launch, the Student Ambassadors have been at the heart of leading campus-centered programming and community outreach at the Museum. We are thrilled to welcome this year’s new cohort of Student Ambassadors to the BCMA, who joined our team in October. This year’s group of eight students spans all class years and brings an exciting range of interests, backgrounds, and perspectives to their role.

The 2023–2024 Academic Year Ambassador cohort includes Colette Carrillo ’26, Audrey Fillion ’25, Aleena Nasruddin ’26, Amira Oguntoyinbo ’24, Dylan Richmond ’24, Estefanía Madrid Romero ’26, Carolyne Sauda ’27, and Sinan Tuncer ’27. True to Bowdoin’s liberal arts spirit, the students bring a broad array of interdisciplinary expertise, including Art History, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Biochemistry, Dance, Digital and Computational Studies, Government and Legal Studies, and Cinema Studies.

Working closely with Student Education Assistants Quinn Cox ’24 and Sophia Pantzer ’24, as well as Student Intern for Campus Engagement Emily Jacobs ’23, the Ambassadors will collaborate on proposing and implementing creative programs, developing educational resources, and making the galleries a welcoming, accessible space for campus and local communities.

On December 2, the Ambassadors kicked off their new role with a successful Family Saturday and Fall Community Open House. This program, developed in collaboration with the Sexuality, Women, and Gender Center (SWAG), was inspired by the current exhibitions Threads: Artists Weave Their Worlds and Currents: Art Since 1875. The activities highlighted themes of community, family, and creative expressions of identity, including a community collage-making activity, as well as an original BCMA Bingo. The event was met with great enthusiasm and saw over fifty community members and young learners in attendance.

“Outreach is deeply important to me, as I would not have discovered my interest in the arts so soon if I had not been given the resources to do so in my hometown,” shared Colette Carrillo. “Having the opportunity to share the diverse exhibits in the museum is incredibly exciting!”

Dylan Sloan added that he especially enjoyed seeing how a community can interpret and respond to collections in diverse ways. “One of the best things about being an ambassador is the connections you make and conversations you have and, throughout the run of an exhibition, amassing and interweaving unique tidbits from visitors is such a fruitful reward.” 

In addition, the students aim to activate the BCMA as a social space. On December 12, the Ambassadors organized a coffee and crafting study break in the Museum pavilion. Delicious treats, warm beverages, and festive music offered a joyful celebration of the semester’s ending and a momentary pause from studying for finals.

This type of programming, which provides more informal ways of engaging with the Museum, continues to be a priority for the Ambassadors’ work. “I am really looking forward to increasing the engagement and awareness to help make the Museum a space for social interaction and fun among students,” Audrey Fillion shared. Likewise, Aleena Nasruddin hopes to share her passion for Art History with her peers: “I always enjoy strolling through the Museum to check out the new exhibitions, and I hope we can make the Museum a welcoming space for students to feel that way too.”

Looking forward, the Ambassadors are excited to embark on future programming that further connects the Museum’s offerings with different aspects of campus life. Currently, the Ambassadors are working towards designing an arts-inspired trivia night, which they hope to organize in collaboration with the highly popular Pub Trivia series, organized by Bowdoin Quiz Bowl at Jack Magee’s Pub on campus. The group will also begin training for leading tours in the spring, which will be independently designed and personalized for their friends and peers.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to share my passion for art and the Museum and to spark curiosity among visitors of all ages. Being part of this team allows me to contribute to the Museum’s vibrant community and make a positive impact on the overall visitor experience,” said Estefanía Romero.

We are thrilled to have these eight Ambassadors onboard for the Academic Year and look forward to seeing their ideas develop in the coming months. Stay tuned to hear more about what the students will do next!

Sabrina Lin, Curatorial Assistant and Manager of Student Programs
Bowdoin College Museum of Art