McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Tennessee

"UT has given me so many opportunities since I've been here." Sadie Counts, PhD candidate in cultural anthropology, has spent the last four years working at the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Tennessee as a co-curator and project manager for “Homelands,” a new exhibit featuring contemporary works by 17 Native artists. Over the past seven years of working at the museum, Counts has had unique opportunities to gain experience working in anthropology and collaborating with others. "To have so many of our Native partners here to see it and to see their artwork and to show it to their families was just the most meaningful thing I have ever had the privilege of doing in my career," shares Counts. Developed in collaboration with four Native Nations, "Homelands: Connecting to Mounds Through Native Art" invites the viewer to explore Indigenous perspectives on placemaking and the deep cultural and spiritual significance of Native American mounds. See the exhibition in person at the McClung Museum now through December 2027!

Alongside talented Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians visual artists, members of Museum of the Cherokee People's staff recently attended the opening of 'Homelands: Connecting to Mounds through Native Art,' a three-year exhibition at McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Tennessee. From McClung: "Knoxville sits on the Ancestral homelands of eleven Federally Recognized Tribes. Mounds, like the one located on the university’s campus and thousands of others across the region, are still important aspects of contemporary Indigenous lifeways. 'Homelands: Connecting to Mounds through Native Art' centers Native interpretation to explore Indigenous relationships to mounds and placemaking. Featuring contemporary works by 17 Native artists, the exhibition highlights the cultural and spiritual continuity of mounds as sacred spaces. 'Homelands' is co-curated by four Native Nations connected to Knox County: Cherokee Nation, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), and The Muscogee (Creek) Nation." Over the past four years, MotCP staff has worked closely with McClung as experts in the care and protection of the Cherokee peoples’ history, material culture, and knowledge. Reciprocal relationships between non-tribal museums and Native tribes, artists, and cultural leaders are crucial to the ethical advancement of Native interpretation and collections care: 'Homelands' is the result of allyship in action. ??: EBCI artists and Museum staff smile at the opening of 'Homelands.' Left to right: MotCP Executive Director Shana Bushyhead Condill (EBCI), John Henry Gloyne (EBCI, Osage, Pawnee), Jakeli Swimmer (EBCI), Rhiannon Skye Tafoya (EBCI, Santa Clara Pueblo), MotCP Director of Education Dakota Brown (EBCI), Aaron Lambert (EBCI), MotCP Designer Tyra Maney (EBCI, Diné), MotCP Director of Collections & Exhibitions Evan Mathis, MotCP Director of Operations Michael Slee (EBCI), Jarrett Wildcatt (EBCI) #Museums #GLAM #CulturalHeritage #UTK

A new exhibition at the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Tennessee set to open Jan. 25 will feature contemporary art by 17 Native artists to emphasize the enduring ties between Native Nations and Knox County. “Homelands: Connecting to Mounds Through Native Art” sets a new standard for collaborative exhibition practices at the McClung and represents the museum's most significant renovation in more than 20 years. "‘Homelands’ is a defining moment for the McClung Museum. It’s the largest project we’ve undertaken in over two decades, but its impact goes far beyond its scale,” said Claudio Gómez, Jefferson Chapman executive director of the museum. “This exhibition has challenged us to rethink how we collaborate, bringing in new perspectives and allowing us to honor Native voices in ways that are both respectful and forward-thinking.”

Reflecting on My Summer Internship This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington DC. It was an experience that not only expanded my understanding of advancement operations but also deepened my appreciation for art and culture in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Through this internship, I discovered a new connection to my Korean heritage by engaging with artifacts and artistic masterpieces, offering me a fresh perspective on my own cultural background. I had the privilege of learning directly from my mentor, Danielle Tyson, who guided me through hands-on experiences with CRM systems, donor and volunteer interactions, and the core lesson that, in a field centered on connecting with people, there’s always a way to find common ground. Beyond the professional growth, I also formed lifelong memories with my fellow interns and roommates—some working at the Hill, others at the National Park Service. Whether it was getting lost in the museum or rediscovering DC, these moments will stay with me for years to come. I’m deeply grateful to the entire team at the National Museum of Asian Art for welcoming me and the other nine interns this summer. Special thanks to Ryann Campbell and Charlene Marichal, our intern coordinators, for making this summer so memorable, and to everyone who took the time for informational interviews throughout my stay. A huge shoutout to the entire advancement team! I had a blast learning about CRM systems, foundations, memberships, and corporate relations, and felt truly valued and supported every step of the way.