A Year of Bringing Impactful Programs to Life

Chelsea Chhem, our first Public Programming Fellow (2024-25), reflects on the lessons she learned at the Phillips bringing impactful programs to life. 

At The Phillips Collection, we believe museums are a place to see differently. Along with our extensive collection of art, I have known the Phillips to be a space to experience connection, discovery, and challenge our place in the world beyond the galleries and into public programs. Programs serve as a medium between audience and exhibition and provide new ways to interpret and revisit what it means to gather and do something as a community. As our collection expands, capturing the spirit of inclusiveness and openness has led us to great programs that center individuality. As we move forward with our most recent Strategic Plan, we’ve learned some invaluable lessons about what it takes to be at the service of our DMV community and honor the unique legacy of Duncan and Marjorie Phillips.  

We are constantly revisiting our commitment to expanding the interpretation of art museums to reach wider audiences. When we begin to plan new programs, we’re considering elements like accessibility, relevant content, and lesser-known narratives. This allows us to infuse these elements in our operations to ensure we are creating programming that’s responsive to the audiences who come and fully activate our space. We’re listening intently to our artists, audiences, and local communities to capture the pulse on what’s happening in contemporary conversation and societal shifts. This is especially critical now as museums and libraries are seeking funding to continue their responsibility to educate and inform the public. Whether it’s through intimate discussions such as our artist talks or dynamic workshops during Phillips after 5, our aim is to foster a deeper and more personal engagement between people and museum.  

One of my favorite aspects of working in public programming is meeting new faces and hearing their journeys to the museum for the first time. Admittedly, this is a brave step in an age of information overload. Their search to find things that are focused, curated, and intimate leads them to The Phillips Collection and affirms our role as a museum. And so, it is vital that what we do here is not only being planned and implemented, but also seen, utilized, and celebrated.  

During my fellowship, we worked closely with local practitioners, writers, cultural critics, living artists, and small businesses. To me, a fulfilling program is one that deepens The Phillips Collection’s public engagement by building meaningful connections throughout the planning process, with programs designed to capture the breadth of what great and evolving museums can offer—programing that opens the vast world of art and artmaking rather than close it. In the spirit of our constantly rotating permanent collections displays, we understand art to be living, breathing, and evolving in interpretation beyond its moment of creation. And through Public Programs work, I find myself in themes that encapsulate the larger global conversations of the state of art and culture, which Duncan Phillips has similarly expressed when he wrote “the whole world is to be found in the United States.” In exhibition programing, we complement the galleries with fresh perspectives and live dialogues that make The Phillips Collection a place for powerful exchanges of active participation and co-creation. 

Coming out of this program, I’ve had the privilege to deepen my trust with The Phillips Collection to nurture my professional development as a museum professional. Behind the scenes, bringing these ambitious visions to life requires intense departmental organizing. Our small but mighty Public Programs Department can be seen meticulously laying the groundwork to ensure our programs deliver a high quality and impactful experience. In my time here, I have seen the launch of the Living Room series along with the Art & Wellness Club, and it has been a great lesson on how to invest in the health of our community, how to foster an environment of trust, and how to build strong and adaptable systems to sustain museums into the future. I am indebted to my amazing team, Ashley Whitfield, Director of Public Programs, and Magda VanThienen, Public Programs Coordinator, who have made their mark by mentoring this new generation of young museum professionals. Programs will occur regularly, but moments of true connection are fleeting. Be sure to come and visit again and again for newer and dynamic explorations to pair with your gallery visit!