Hailey Kasney (she/her), a rising senior at Duke University, is studying history and art history with a concentration in museum theory and practice. This summer as the Nasher’s Carmichael intern she developed an installation celebrating twenty years of campus collaborations at the museum. She worked under the supervision of Dr. Julia McHugh, Trent A. Carmichael Director of Academic Initiatives and Curator of Arts of the Americas.
Hailey’s experience with the Nasher predates this internship; she debuted as a sophomore when she took The Museum Object taught by Dr. McHugh. For Hailey, the course opened up the possibility of working in museum spaces after graduation, and she even gained first-hand experience writing an object label selected for inclusion in the exhibition Modern Prophets: Art and Spirituality in America. This past academic year Hailey’s Nasher journey continued with her co-curation of the exhibition On the Same Wavelength: Art, Science & Conservation.
The focus of Hailey’s internship this summer was to curate an installation that highlights 20 years of student- and faculty-curated exhibitions and interdisciplinary collaborations between the Nasher and campus partners. Hailey describes the installation as the “little sister” of Everything Now All At Once, which features iconic works in the Nasher’s contemporary collection acquired over the past 20 years. Hailey’s installation will be featured in the Carmichael Academic Focus Gallery and, like Everything Now All at Once, will explore the museum’s growth over the last two decades while hinting at future endeavors.
I’m excited to be a part of this project, which showcases not only the art but also the relationships built over the years between students and faculty.
Hailey Kasney, Duke ‘26
Prior to the Nasher, Hailey interned at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, assessing the museum’s archives, and was part of the Bass Connections team, World Building at Duke in an Emerging Durham: 1924 – 1932. Drawing from her experience researching institutional histories, Hailey’s curatorial process included compiling lists of collaborative exhibitions and selecting pieces from the collection that had been included. A past endeavor that stood out was Irwin Kremen: Beyond Black Mountain which showcased the story of Duke professor and clinical psychologist who turned to artmaking later in life, showcasing the transformative power of art.
A typical museum day for Hailey is full of meaningful interactions and problem-solving. She partners with colleagues and dives into research, using exhibition catalogs, The Museum System (TMS), and even the Nasher’s Flickr account to capture the essence of past exhibitions that she cannot experience firsthand. Hailey also viewed objects in Study Storage to better understand their appearance, size, and methods of display. With her creative background in music, having played the viola since seventh grade and now playing with the Duke Symphony Orchestra, Hailey’s musical experience informs how she views the arts and directs her curatorial approach.
I really appreciate how art, in any format, can narrate what’s happening in the world. It’s a powerful tool for individual expression and can tell us a lot about where we come from.
Hailey Kasney, Duke ‘26
For Hailey, the most exciting part of building this installation was bringing it all together through writing the labels and introductory text. She enjoyed telling the Nasher’s story and the stories of those who have learned, grown, and experimented in the museum over the past two decades.
Looking to her final year at Duke, Hailey is preparing for several exciting projects, including writing her senior thesis on Doris Duke, specifically her collections and homes. With funding from Duke’s history department, Hailey will travel to Newport, Rhode Island, and Honolulu, Hawaii, to explore historic homes-turned-museums. In the Fall, Hailey will return to the Nasher to intern with the Curatorial department through the Museum Practicum (ARTHIST 311).
Hailey’s advice for future interns is rooted in the value of networking and learning from others in the field. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek advice,” says Hailey. “The museum world is full of experienced professionals who are eager to share their knowledge. Take advantage of those opportunities to learn from others’ experiences.”
By Kourtney Diggs, NCCU Class of 2025