Santa Fe, N.M.– Mattie Reynolds (Choctaw National of Oklahoma) spent six weeks in London this past summer as a fellow in the British Museum’s International Training Programme (ITP). Reynolds, an assistant professor and chair of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Museum Studies program, was one of only 20 museum professionals selected from across the globe for the highly competitive program. She was the only professor or university employee in the group and—she believes—only the second Native American to participate in the ITP.
Reynolds learned about the ITP from Rose Taylor, the British Museum’s curator for the Americas. The pair met last summer at a Native art symposium held at The Courtauld Institute of Art in London. IAIA colleagues Dr. Kay Holmes (Mvskoke [Creek] descendant), chair of Liberal Indigenous Studies, and Daisy Quezada Ureña (Mexican-American), chair of Studio Arts, also attended the conference. Once back in Santa Fe, Reynolds said she kept in touch with Taylor, “in the hopes of inviting her to guest lecture in some of the museum studies’ programs.”
A wide variety of topics were covered in the ITP—everything from textile conservation to repatriation and restitution. As part of the program, ITP fellows work with other museums in the UK. Reynolds and three others spent 10 days partnering with the Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Museum, and Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, UK, which is about four hours from London.
Reynolds said a high point of her time in Manchester was meeting Dr. Alexandra Alberda (Jemez Pueblo), who was recently hired by the Manchester Museum as curator of indigenous perspectives. “[It’s] the first position of its kind in the UK,” Reynolds said. “We were able to spend an afternoon with her, talking about her work.”
Reynolds, who teaches classes at IAIA on Indigneous repatriation, appreciated the staff at the British Museum for their willingness to field tough questions.
During their time in the UK, the ITP fellows also visited other museums and heritage sites. Working, learning, and networking with museum professionals from all over the world also was a highlight for Reynolds.
Now, back in the States, Reynolds is anxious to share what she’s learned and put her networking to good use.