Student Experience

What to Expect

The Applied Museum Studies (AMS) at Algonquin College is a one-of-a-kind program, with a strong reputation across Canada. Students gain hands-on museum experience in collections management, educational programming, exhibit preparation, museum management and conservation.

Work-Integrated Learning

Learn in our realistic, fully equipped labs

This program boasts a 2200-square-foot exhibition lab that includes a general work area, a tool shop with a variety of saws and a drill press, and a large format graphics lab with 5 computer workstations, large format printers, dry mounting and laminating equipment, vinyl sign cutting machinery, and mat cutters. In addition, there is a 1400-square-foot conservation lab with 2 fume extraction hoods, 2 digital photography stations, 2 air abrasive units, 2 heat welders, a vacuum suction table, and a variety of analysis equipment such as monitors and microscopes.

Work with real materials in real settings

Through their courses, students gain experience working with our collection of artifacts, and a variety of materials, from wood, metal, plastic and graphics, to paper, textiles, ceramics, and leather. All sections of the program work closely with cultural institutions in the local area, where students have the opportunity to gain experience working with real collections in real settings. In the past, students have completed a textile treatment on a historically significant WWI flag, fabricated an exhibit at a National Historic site, and prepared an educational program for a local museum.

Gain experience in the field

At the end of the program, students participate in a 15-week internship at an institution of their choice, and complete a project that will help them focus on a specific area and gain valuable work experience. Some students choose to undertake international placements in places as far away as the US, Europe and Australia. During the last week of the program, students return to the college to participate in a networking opportunity and showcase of their work.