Image: Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville
The Harn Museum of Art in Gainesville is now accepting applications for its MUSE, or Museum University Student Educator, program for Fall 2026. According to the museum’s volunteer page, college students can apply through August 5, 2026, and accepted participants will be notified on August 9 before the program begins on Wednesday, August 19.
The museum describes MUSE as a student opportunity for college students who are interested in creating and presenting museum activities, programs and outreach. The program is open to students from all majors, and the Harn says it is designed to build an intentional community centered on art while giving participants practical experience in museum work.
The Harn Museum’s volunteer and engagement pages frame MUSE alongside other participation opportunities, including docent training and visitor experience volunteering. For MUSE, students are expected to meet weekly on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. throughout the Fall Semester. The museum says the weekly meetings will include an advisory role focused on student perspectives, museum operations and professional development, as well as creative work developing content for visitors based on art in the collection and on view in the galleries.
The program also includes collaboration on Museum Nights planning and facilitation. The museum says MUSE participants help bring student perspectives into museum planning and contribute to interactive content for museum visitors. The page presents the program as a way for students to engage directly with the museum’s public-facing activities while building experience in the field.
In the published notice, the Harn directs interested students to apply on its website and invites questions to Eric Segal at esegal@harn.ufl.edu. The museum’s volunteer page also notes that its broader recruitment is for inquisitive and enthusiastic adults and students age 18 and older who are interested in engaging with visitors and fostering a sense of belonging among museum audiences.
The Fall 2026 MUSE cycle is scheduled to start August 19 at the Harn Museum of Art, with weekly Wednesday meetings continuing through the semester.
