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Drew University Students Immerse Themselves in New York City Art Scene in Drew’s Semester on Contemporary Art

A look at one of Drew’s seven New York Semesters

October 2024 – Drew University’s New York Semester on Contemporary Art turns the New York City art world into a classroom for students, a perfect encapsulation of the real-world, hands-on experiences that make up a Drew education.

Each fall, students train from Drew’s hometown of Madison into Penn Station and enter one of the world’s biggest hubs for exploring contemporary art.

Students tour world-famous museums like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the New Museum, and the Whitney, and visit exhibits in the plethora of galleries in Chelsea and the Lower East Side.

But being exposed to art on display isn’t the only beautiful thing about the New York Semester on Contemporary Art, one of Drew’s longest-running programs. Students also meet with industry professionals to pick their brains and learn about various career pathways.

“The New York Semester on Contemporary Art was a formative, life-changing experience for me that played a significant role in my experience at Drew and my career afterward,” said Shayna Miller C’19, who manages the Library and Archives at R & Company in New York City and recently had her work displayed in Drew’s Korn Gallery. “Walking around the city with the class every week and having to think critically about the work we were seeing was eye-opening, and for me, it was my first introduction to many of the city’s commercial galleries.”

“This program is at least partially responsible for giving me the confidence to pursue a career in the New York City art world,” added Sylvie Harris C’15, a photographer, practicing/exhibiting artist, and studio manager at Pace Paper. “I went to Drew because of this course since I knew I wanted to pursue a career in New York City, and the Semester on Contemporary Art really helped me achieve that goal.”

“Most institutions teach contemporary art in a classroom setting. Since 1967, the New York Semester on Contemporary Art has used New York City as its classroom,” said Kim Rhodes, professor of art history and director of the New York Semester on Contemporary Art. “This includes exploring museums and galleries, visiting artists in their studios, and interacting with professional curators, critics, gallerists, and conservators in the art industry.” 

To learn more about Drew’s seven New York Semesters, click here.

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