Nway Htwe

 This is the story about how I became the National Museum Yangon’s very first intern…

I decided this page in particular should be in the format of a conversational walkthrough.

I have a distant—ten/ twenty/thirty-years in the future— goal of becoming the Minister of Culture Affairs in Myanmar. Over the years, I have tested different waters to see if that goal has changed. This is endeavor is one of them. As a student and intern at the Art Institute of Chicago, I already had a moderate understanding of how western museums work. But I have always been a little insecure about my lack of substantial knowledge in the culture scene back home. As my senior year approaches, I thought it was about time for me to dive in.

That, plus my resume and a list of what I can contribute to the museum; made an appointment with the head of the museum asked them if they could offer me a position at the museum for a few months. The National Museum at the time, only accepted volunteers as gallery assistants. They didn’t know what to expect from an intern that studies abroad, nor did I know what to expect of them. But anyway, they were nice enough to let me stay.

They placed me in the conservation department. And the day of the interview became my first day of work since they are short-handed with an exhibition coming soon. My first task was to help sew century-old textiles for the Exhibition of the Rare Traditional Costumes of the Shan Sawbwas. And I thanked my elective classes in fibers and conservation.

I start to learn many things that internships abroad could never teach me. Hands-on experiences that a western museum would never give me the opportunity. Working and communicating all in Burmese was also a very refreshing, and a much needed experience. One of the most memorable experiences are helping to conserve objects, and also that Martyr’s day where the NMY staff had to assist at Bogyoke Aung San Museum— a full day of standing from 6am to 4pm.

Most of all, I met amazing people who, even through a severely unsupportive bureaucracy, give all their best to preserve the invaluable cultural artifacts in the museum.

As a final project, I decided to write a report on the museum. In the report I included a critique and guide on museum display, a mockup application guidelines for future interns (if the museum ever decides to have official internship program in the near future), a mockup visitor survey for each gallery. I fully understand that the museum as of current do not have the facilities, system nor the man power to make big improvements but I believe small steps can eventually move a mountain. And I hope this report, just by existence without implementation, is one of these small patient steps to further develop the most prominent museum in Myanmar.

If interested in reading the report or if you just want to chat about the NMY experience, please reach me at thet2nh@gmail.com or thtwe@artic.edu.