I just slid past my 10 month anniversary of working here at Joslyn Art Museum under the title Interactive Media Coordinator. Apart from being asked which corner of the Earth I originate (it’s NOT Australia), by far the most common question I receive after introducing myself and my job title is “Oh that’s wonderful. So what do you do then?” I find myself often responding with, “Well… I coordinate interactive media.” More than often replied with “That’s fantastic. You appear to be doing a great job.” It’s as if my explanation has rained clarity on the Interactive Media profession as a whole, or maybe is it the Coordinator part?
In truth it is difficult to sum up simply what Interactive Media is so here is the definition:
Great! So we’re all crystal clear on what Interactive Media is, right? OK, so how does that translate to Joslyn Art Museum?
First off, the obvious one is maintaining iPads that reside in the Scott EdTech Gallery. One of my first jobs after I started was coordinating their installation with now the ongoing task of keeping them functional and finding new apps that will introduce new creative experience to whomever chooses to use them.
Secondly, certain parts of the Education area of the Joslyn website falls into my jurisdiction by constantly evolving and creating a stimulating encounter for the virtual visitor. Although the “definition” suggests that the media concerned is digital, my position is by no means limited to working with the latest electronic technology.
Other examples of what an Interactive Media Coordinator does here at Joslyn include:
• Creating self-guided material for use at the museum, including scavenger hunts.
• Designing and creating “Nifty 52 Comic Cards” for the BAM! temporary exhibition currently showing in the Minds Eye Gallery.
• Overseeing the Nelson Teacher Resource Center which includes the traveling outreach trunks.
Whichever way you look at, interactive media here at the Joslyn isn’t limited to a digital medium; it’s spread across a variety of different forms. The constant is that it’s interactive.
So there we have it, the position of Interactive Media Coordinator is all cleared up.
No?
Well I guess I just coordinate the interactive media then.
Ben
Ben Jones, Interactive Media Coordinator