By Megan Buser, former Eiteljorg marketing and communications intern

As I sit and reflect on my last five months here at the Eiteljorg Museum, I realize how much I have gained from this role – not just professionally but personally. Prior to this internship, my only interaction with the Eiteljorg was an elementary school field trip. I can vaguely remember exploring dimly lit spaces full of wooden cases and pictures with no descriptions, which tends to not spark an interest in most 9-year-olds.

However, walking into the doors of the museum on the first day of my marketing internship, I realized this was not the same building I once met. The energy was different. Bright walls adorned with images and descriptions of the American West greeted me at the front entrance. As I headed upstairs, I was met by the contemporary Native galleries – once separated by region but now displayed in conversation with one another. This different feeling to the Eiteljorg Museum told a new story – one that is told by Native voices.

During my time here this semester, I was fortunate enough to see the openings of three exhibitions: Richard Swanson: Radio, Voices from the Arctic: Contemporary Inuit Art, and Radical Stitch, along with experiencing the final days of Fifth Third Bank Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure. Each of these exhibitions provided me with a deeper understanding of the stories that the museum strives to share with the public. I took time to explore each of these galleries, gaining a deeper appreciation for the many hours that went into creating each piece on exhibit. I was able to learn more about the art, history and culture of the Native American peoples with each piece I encountered and understand more about the message that is to be shared through each work.

From attending event openings to gather content, to creating social media content and writing news releases, this internship gave me experience with a wide variety of projects. That included tasks such as compiling a calendar of events for the Storyteller magazine, updating events on our website and on local community calendars, video editing and so much more. Working on these projects has opened my eyes to the importance of sharing the stories of those who may not have had the chance to do so.

The Eiteljorg has given me valuable hands-on experience, allowing me to hone my digital marketing skills beyond the classroom. I was consistently supported by the team I got to work with. Thank you to public relations manager Bryan Corbin and director of communications and marketing Katie Warthan for providing me with this opportunity, and to digital marketing coordinator Tabby Fitzgerald for allowing me to unleash my creative side with whatever project was thrown my way.

This experience has not only prepared me for a future career in marketing and communications, but also left me with a deeper appreciation for the power of representation, storytelling, and cultural understanding.

Megan Buser is a senior at Butler University and recently completed an internship in the Eiteljorg’s marketing and communications department during spring semester 2025.