Missouri State University’s Jodi McCoy, Director of Exhibitions of University Galleries, is leading a research project for the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries (AAMG).

Her research will contribute to a national census of information that AAMG will use to better support academic galleries, museums and collections.

Several student staff workers have been assisting McCoy with her research: Cassidy Hale (Student Project Lead), Kaitlyn Patton, Elliot Wheat, Melissa Campa-Garcia, Emery Wilcoxen and Olga Shute.

McCoy hopes her efforts will have a positive impact for local, state and national galleries and museums.

Research will help ensure best practices

According to the organization’s website, AAMG is a national educational and professional organization dedicated to helping museums, galleries and collections.

Its mission is to lead a national effort to ensure best practices for these institutions through educational and advocacy efforts.

McCoy, who became a representative for AAMG in early 2024, was asked to lead the census project for Missouri.

“I help support the professional organization as a state representative by being a voice for the state of Missouri’s academic galleries and museums,” she added. “I report to my regional representative and the board about what is happening in our state and advocate for our needs.”

By gathering data for the census, her research will contribute to AAMG’s mission.

“The census will cover data ranging from the smaller institutions or one-man shows, all the way up to the massive institutions,” McCoy said. “It’s a way for AAMG as an organization to understand who is out there and how they can serve and represent the institutions in whatever they are doing.”

Making MSU a leading art community

As part of her efforts, McCoy, who recently won the Staff Impact Award at the 2024 Judy Awards, hopes her research will “put Missouri State on the map as a leading art community.”

“[It will] solidify our presence in the state,” she said. “It will create partnerships and opportunities for all different galleries and museums in Missouri.”

Receiving more support and resources will make it easier for exhibition directors like McCoy to do their jobs.

“As a director, we make exhibitions to tell stories, [and] we want to leave an impact with the themes and stories we are exploring,” she said. “We’re thinking deeply about things and using art as a visual medium to explore those ideas.”

News submitted by Mariah Hunter and edited by the Reynolds College Communications team.

Hunter is a graduate assistant for the Department of Art and Design. She is working towards her master’s degree in writing at Missouri State University.