This Summer…

By: Madeline Oliva

My 2026 summer plans as a Global Scholar at FSU!

Hey guys! My name is Madeline Oliva and I am part of Florida State University’s 2026 Global Scholars cohort.

FSU Global Scholars is a program that lasts for three semesters where students design their own experiences where they research global issues. The goal of this program is to help students develop global perspectives as well as creating a positive impact.

This summer I will be researching how the rapid shift toward the integration of Artificial Intelligence is affecting community-based institutions. As a gallery-assistant intern at LeMoyne Arts Gallery, a non-profit organization located in Tallahassee, Florida, I will be assisting in the art gallery’s day-to-day operations. LeMoyne Arts Gallery is a pillar of the Tallahassee art community serving as a hub for art administrators, professional artists, and local patrons, which offers a diverse landscape for my research.

While the issues of Artificial Intelligence being used to create art have been discussed frequently, I wanted to research how the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in daily life affects community-based art institutions and museums such as LeMoyne. Also, as an aspiring scientific illustrator, I plan on becoming involved in museum-based education programs such as LeMoyne after graduating, which has also motivated me to dive into this research topic. My methods of data collection will be in the form of digital surveys with Microsoft Forms and recorded interviews.

During my internship I will be asked to both greet guests at the front desk as well as work as a cashier at the consignment shop. This is how I plan on accessing patrons and visitors through survey questions. I plan on having the QR code be printed out and displayed so guests can choose to participate. A majority of the questions will be multiple choice, with the first question distinguishing their role, the middle section having them choose the rate of approval for certain aspects of the use of A.I., and the final question being open response.

As an intern I will also be paired with a senior staff member to work within a specific department. During these schedule one-on one meetings I plan on conducting longer interviews about their professional experiences with A.I. and how it is being used in the visual arts community. I hope to be able to meet with multiple staff members at LeMoyne and for the interviews to span into a casual discussion, as it is important to create a productive dialogue within these community-based spaces. If I am successful in interviewing enough people, I hope to document them as a podcast that I continue as I become involved with other art programs throughout my undergraduate career.

This will be my first time staying in Tallahassee over the summer, and I will a lot more time to explore the city outside of my classes. Working with LeMoyne Arts will give me a great introduction to Tallahassee’s art community outside of FSU. I hope as an intern to establish positive relationships with other creative professionals.

I can’t wait to get started this summer and to take you on this journey along with me!