Historically, museums and galleries have excluded too many people. I want to eradicate the common idea that “some people just don’t visit museums.” In the modern era of public discourse characterized by instant updating and dynamic participation, a discerning public shares their knowledge and relays their experience with the click of a mouse. The Internet, digital media, video games and social networks offer new approaches to learning and understanding others. Unfortunately, many museums – giants of knowledge – have fallen behind in inclusion, technological innovation and the representation of diverse experiences. Museums and galleries shape educational programs and discourses nationally. If they fail to resonate with a broad audience, then the public will go elsewhere to learn, despite the long-established reputation of these institutions. Particularly today, when most sentences are prefaced with “In this economy,” I believe museums and galleries risk obsolescence without fundamental change and a renaissance of innovation. Growing up gay in rural western Maryland, I learned about LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual). , and transgender) on Wikipedia. Exhibitions or educational programs on gay civil rights struggles seemed nonexistent. Today, my experiences and training will contribute to a more complete understanding and affirmed representation of diverse groups in the halls of America's museums. To this end, I am interning with the Associate Director of Operations at the National Portrait Gallery. A trained visual artist, I never imagined contributing to the dialogue about the future of a national museum entering a remarkable (and uncertain) era of hyper-accelerated change. Throughout my internship I developed co......middle of paper......often less expensive. A state-of-the-art website may be less romantic than an archetypal museum room, but online galleries resonate and reach a wide audience. I want to be part of a two-pronged museum and gallery renaissance that embraces both technology and inclusiveness. My unique experiences as a gay man, as an artist, and as a young person in the field of museum administration make me a unique candidate for the arts administration program. While studying at George Mason, I also look forward to enriching my cultural awareness by collaborating and volunteering with local LGBT organizations; I also hope to take continuing education courses with the LGBT program at the University of Maryland. George Mason's academic environment and hands-on experience opportunities support my career goal: working for the future National Museum of American LGBT History and Culture..