How I Landed at The Met
Finding creative inspiration through volunteering at The 81st Street Studio
This is the first post in a 3-part series about how I’m finding creative inspiration by engaging with the analog world in new-to-me ways and exploring new paths with curiosity and without expectations. It’s about putting down devices—or, as psychologist Jonathan Haidt refers to them, “experience blockers”—and being more intentional with how I spend my time. I hope you are inspired to do the same.
Coming off the pandemic years, it seems easier to fall into hibernation habits, doesn’t it? I’ve sensed that happening in my work, especially now that my workspace is in my apartment. And I’ll let you in on a little secret: I don’t like working from home.
As a one-person show, it’s easy to feel lonely and fall into habits that give you that ‘stuck’ feeling. When you don’t have another workspace to go to—or, any co-workers to talk to!—you need to make an intentional effort to put yourself in places that reinvigorate you and your creative practice. And I don’t mean places online or via social media… I mean, out in the Analog Real World™.
…But how do you find the right places? Go back to your core beliefs.
I believe that art should be fun, fearless, fuss-free, and feel-good—so, where I choose to invest my energy and decide to spend my valuable, limited time should fit into (at least) one of those buckets and be in service of those beliefs.
Where have I landed so far?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art… as a volunteer in their new art and science discovery and play space for children, The 81st Street Studio.
Fun? Check! Fearless? Check! Feel-good? Check!
I decided to apply on a whim, because the opportunity felt like a perfect fit and it would get me away from my desk. Also, The Met Museum is probably the brightest art and culture jewel in New York City. What a dream to be a part of it! I was not expecting my screening and interview process with The Met to be so extensive and take nearly two months, but, it did—feel free to ask me about that! I finally have the coveted Badge (here I am cheesing with it at the main steps) and completed my first shift.
My role at The 81st Street Studio is to make sure children and their caregivers have a pleasant, engaging experience. This includes warmly greeting guests, making sure play areas are tidy and welcoming, and gently encouraging the children with inquiry-based learning questions.
The space is designed for ages 3-11 (the littles that I love!) and there are so many exploratory stations and activities for kids and their families to discover and enjoy. Observing children at play in these varied areas is something I can already tell will inspire and inform my creative work. Maybe there’s a new picture book in there somewhere?!
The other lovely and unexpected part of this experience is being introduced to a network of 1,000 volunteers in various roles throughout The Met, all of whom also love and wish to support the arts, and, many are practicing artists themselves. Even lovelier is interacting with these people in real life, in the real world, and not just in an online comments section. Inspiration explosion!
If your family would like to visit The 81st Street Studio, it is open daily (except Wednesdays and holidays when the museum is closed) from 10:00 - 5:00 and adults must be accompanied by a child. The Studio is located at the 81st Street entrance and is free to everyone.
Do you volunteer with any organizations? Would you? What informs how and where you’d decide to donate your time? Have you ever found creative inspiration through volunteering?
I would love to hear about it. Email or comment on Substack. If you have a friend who might relate, please share!
See you in Part 2 of this series,
xo Lori
Congrats on the new adventure Lori!