June 2025 Member of the Month
Meet Joseph McKee, the Coordinator of Student Engagement & Technology at the University of New Mexico Art Museum (UNMAM)!
What’s one thing — either industry/work-related or not — you learned in the past month?
In the past month I’ve learned the basics of projection mapping, it’s something I’ve been interested in for a while, so it’s been exciting to get to experiment and play with this. Projection mapping is a technique where media can be projected on specific objects or surfaces. Rather than just projecting onto a flat wall, projection mapping allows you to create immersive and responsive installations ranging from a standard screen size, to projecting onto an arrangement of objects, or even across entire buildings.
What do you value about your membership with AAMG?
I value the connections and network of individuals within AAMG. It’s refreshing to know that we are each part of a large community invested in the same principles. As each of our fields continue to face challenge and adversity, we must remember that we can find strength and solace through the act of connection and community building, whether that be in-person or digitally.
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
Kylie Minogue. I just can’t seem to get her out of my head… I feel that trading places with any popstar would be exciting — for a day.
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee. Iced double shot with oat milk and a little bit of brown sugar.
Joseph McKee (left) and Morgan Leanor, UNMAM Museum Assistant (right), celebrate the launch of the UNMAM Student Advisory Council’s Fall 2024 zine “Responses to Hindsight Insight 5.0.”
Book/Author suggestion?
For nonfiction, I recommend the “Cyberfeminism Index” by Mindy Seu. It’s an extensive reference guide that documents the history of the internet. It includes online works and websites ranging from 1990 to 2020. The book focuses on hackerspaces, digital activists, bio-hackers, feminism, net art, and new media art. You can view the online index here.
However, if you’re looking for fiction, I highly recommend “The Cyberiad” by Stanisław Lem. It’s a collection of short science-fiction stories that mixes satirical writing, comedy, and philosophical fables.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I had a vivid imagination as a child, and I found myself daydreaming through many different roles but never being set on a single one. However, what has stayed consistent is my love for art, design, and computers. When I grow up, I’ll let you know!
Installation image of the “Hindsight Insight 3.0” reading room designed by Joseph Mckee and Mary Statzer, UNMAM Curator of Prints and Photographs, in the Fall of 2023.
What do you enjoy most about being a part of an academic museum?
My favorite part is working with and learning from students – particularly with UNMAM’s Student Advisory Council (SAC). Together, we’ve created exhibition reading lists, designed two group zines, and this Spring we developed an online guide that informs users about UNMAM’s Beaumont Newhall Study Room and how to view pieces from the museum’s collection. Education is a two-way street, and I’m constantly inspired by and learning from the students in SAC. Leading and collaborating with this group has been incredibly rewarding. I hope you’ll attend our problem-solving workshop, “How To: Student Empowerment and Collection Accessibility,” on Thursday, June 26th from 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM.
What are your hopes for our industry?
My hope for the industry is that we collectively begin to lean further into the intersections of learning, technology, and play. I feel there is incredibly rich territory to be discovered between these elements. I’m curious about the ways in which emerging technologies (augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence) can be implemented into museum spaces; as tools, as experiences, and as artworks – or even a mix of all three.
Joseph McKee (far right) moderates a panel during “Exploring Pathways in Museum Careers: A Symposium for Professional Development” in the Spring of 2024.
Can you share a bit about your role in planning conference activities? What are a few activities that we can look forward to?
No spoilers here! But… our team is planning an exciting welcoming ceremony for this year’s conference; we hope to share with you a truly unique New Mexican experience. We’ll have a few small drop-in activities during UNMAM’s open house on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, along with a series of videos on display in the museum’s Media Gallery.
Joseph McKee works with Mary Statzer, Curator of Prints & Photographs, and Steven Hurley, Coordinator of Exhibitions, on the installation of “Hindsight Insight 5.0” in the Fall of 2024.
