Peek Behind The Curtain At Orlando’s Art Scene: Jane Ferry
Education Curator, Orlando Museum of Art
Jane Ferry, Education Curator, Orlando Museum of Art
HOW LONG WITH OMART: Since March 2008.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF HER ROLE: Managing the education department.
HOW SHE GOT INVOLVED IN HER FIELD: Ferry has loved museums for as long as she can remember. She did an internship at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, majored in fine arts in college and got her master’s degree in museum education.
“I just want every visitor to feel a sense of belonging and discovery,” says Jane Ferry, whose robust schedule of education programs at the Orlando Museum of Art includes everything from family days, outreach programs and art appreciation series to tours, lectures and workshops.
“I plan programs I would want to go to as a parent, like Art Adventures (a hands-on art activity followed by a visit to the gallery),” says Ferry. “We implement programs that aren’t available anywhere else in our community.”
At the core of those offerings are OMART’s Community Access programs, which create welcoming spaces for individuals with disabilities, health challenges and diverse backgrounds to explore, create and share the joy of art and self-expression.
“When we develop programs, we design them with the understanding that our visitors are people who learn and connect in different ways, and we actively work to make our spaces welcoming to all,” says Ferry. “And we continually listen, adapt and improve.”
“What I’m really excited about is something new,” Ferry continues. “It’s our mobile guide, which makes the museum accessible to anyone, anywhere at any time. People can look at our current exhibitions and explore highlights from our permanent collection. There are a couple of sections for families, like an animal scavenger hunt in our Ancient Americas collection. There are also questions to help parents and children talk about art together.”
Ferry is also looking to expand OMART’s wellness offerings.
“The museum is a place of respite, and can be a sanctuary for healing,” says Ferry. “It’s a place where people can reconnect and recover and process emotions. It’s just a nurturing environment. Art is healing.”
Ferry is committed to deepening partnerships and creating experiences that reflect a broad range of voices and perspectives.
“I want our programs to support curiosity and help people connect,” she says. “Not only connect more meaningfully with art, but one on one.”
