Getting involved on campus can feel daunting, especially when coursework already takes up so much of our time. But if you’re looking for a low-commitment creative outlet, the Art Museum Student Organization (AMSO) at Miami is a great place to start.
Partnering with RCCAM, AMSO empowers students to explore their creativity through workshops, field trips, and collaborative events. While AMSO centers around the arts, it welcomes all students to connect with the museum, regardless of major or artistic experience.
AMSO president, Mya Dimacchia, hopes more students recognize that the organization is about building a creative community, not just making art. “The museum is such a great place to not only appreciate art, but also to be around other students who bring different ideas and perspectives,” she says.
The club hosts just one to two events per month, making it accessible even for the busiest students. According to Mya, AMSO is a “low-stakes” space where students can connect with peers and faculty, enjoy free food, and explore their creative side without overwhelming time commitments. Despite its casual nature, she says the friendships she’s made through AMSO have been some of her most meaningful at Miami.
Interested in joining? You can apply through The HUB.
To get a peak into what AMSO is about, you can join them this coming Wednesday, Oct. 22nd, for Pumpkins and Picasso. As one of AMSO’s most popular events, Pumpkins and Picasso allows community members to enjoy refreshments while they paint pumpkins, connect with other creatives, and make memories in the arts.
Behind events like these is a welcoming and supportive executive board hoping to expand the reach of RCCAM to all those who are interested.
Mya Dimacchia
- Role: President
- Major: Emerging Technology in Business & Design with minors in Marketing and Arts Management
- Bio: Hi, I’m Mya! I’m a senior and I’ve been involved in AMSO for three years. I’ve always loved being surrounded by art for the way it inspires creativity and brings people together. As President of AMSO, I’m passionate about building a welcoming community where students can explore the museum, connect with one another, and experience the arts in new ways. Serving as President of AMSO has been one of my favorite parts of college. It has given me the chance to create meaningful experiences at the museum and help students connect through art in ways that are welcoming and inspiring. After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in marketing and branding within the creative industry, and my time with AMSO has played an important role in shaping that passion.
Caitlyn Jones
- Role: Vice President
- Major: History with a minor in Museums and Society
- Bio: Hi! My name is Caitlyn and I’m AMSO’s Vice President! I am a Junior majoring in History and minoring in Museums and Society. I joined AMSO because it is my dream to one day work in a museum. AMSO is a great way to get a foot in the door as well as make new friends!
Caitlin Wong
- Role: Treasurer
- Major: Communication Design + Emerging Technology in Business & Design with a minor in Art History
- Bio: I joined AMSO when I was a freshman, and I’m excited to continue my involvement this year! I love being part of events that bring people into the museum to interact with and create art. On campus, I’m also involved in The Miami Student, UP Magazine, and Design Collective.
Kylee Fait
- Role: Marketing
- Major: Arts Management + Arts Entrepreneurship
- Bio: Hi, I’m Kylee! I’m a senior at Miami University passionate about creative marketing and helping arts nonprofits shine. Currently, I work as a Content Producer at GreenCraft Media and a Marketing Communications Assistant at Museums Miami. I also love being part of AMSO, where I get to help create a welcoming atmosphere for students to connect, get to know each other, and make art together. Outside of work, you’ll probably find me making art, hunting for the perfect coffee, exploring shops, or hitting the trails with my backpack.
Andy Knapp
- Role: Event Planner
- Major: Emerging Technology in Business and Design + Arts Management with minors in Leading Digital Innovation + Museums and Society
- Bio: I’m Andy! I am a senior at Miami, and I am passionate about being involved in the arts. AMSO has helped me establish greater involvement in the arts on campus while introducing me to other students that share similar interests. As an intern at RCCAM, I am often a liaison between club and organization, helping to streamline our communication. I love that AMSO allows me to feel like I am giving back to my community while actively engaging in exercising my creativity. I also love crafting, coffee, and cats!
Amy Sprague
- Role: Event Planner
- Major: Arts Management + Fashion, Minor in Digital Marketing
- Bio: As an Arts Management major, I’m very passionate about the arts in many different areas, such as advocacy, policy, music, museums, fashion, and history. The arts have been a huge part of my life for a very long time, and I love being involved in as many art-related activities as possible! In the future, I would love to work in the creative arts as a Creative Director, somewhere in the music industry, or with non-profits! I also enjoy discovering new music and new shows/movies, going to concerts, and hanging out with my cat Winston:)
Jacob Moeller
- Role: Secretary
- Major: Art History
Sherri Krazl
- Role: Faculty Advisor
- CCA Role: Associate Director of Event Promotion & Community Engagement