How John Bello used an MA in museum studies to launch his career

Suppose you were asked to picture a museum in your mind's eye, what characteristics would it have? If your first thought is of a building, you are not alone. In fact, the International Council of Museums defines a museum as a "permanent institution." However, according to John Bello, the assistant director of Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, that definition doesn't get to the heart of the matter.

Bello, a 2016 graduate of the School of Human Evolution and Social Change's Master of Arts museum studies program, believes that museums are, first and foremost, communal learning environments.

"To me, a museum is really a space where communities come together to learn about something that they're interested in and they want to engage with it in a deep meaningful way that's personal to them. The building is not the main criterion," explained Bello.

He credits his unconventional way of looking at museums to the school's innovative museum studies program.

Designed to be socially embedded and transcultural, the School of Human Evolution and Social Change's program helps students understand the meaning and significance of museums in contemporary society.

"The museum studies program really laid the foundation for me to think critically about how we engage with different spaces," said Bello. "We were asked questions like: 'What is a museum? Is it defined by the walls? Is it defined by the collection? Is it defined by the people?' Those questions really changed my perspective."

Growing up near New York City, Bello had access to world-class museums from a young age. Still, he said that he often felt himself gravitating toward nature as a source of information about the world.

"Reflecting back on my childhood, we were always outside playing and doing something. While we might've been playing a game or playing sports outside, nature was always a central part in teaching us about the weather, about the climate, about how we can look closely and slowly at something to see its lifecycle," Bello said.

His passion for unconventional learning environments did not wane but rather intensified when he enrolled in ASU as an undergraduate student in 2008. Studying both anthropology and history, Bello became fascinated by the idea of informal education and connecting communities to the natural world.

"I wanted to know what happens when you take away the four walls. So, I stayed on for the MA in museum studies and focused on the intersection of informal learning and program evaluation," said Bello.

Using the museum studies program as a guide, Bello researched pop-up museums and how curators could utilize natural spaces in different ways to create hybrid learning environments. His studies led him to take on various internships with Phoenix museums, including the Musical Instrument Museum, the Maricopa County Justice Museum and Learning Center and the Children's Museum of Phoenix.

"I learned through the program and my internships that just because you can create a program doesn't mean everyone's going to come to it. Museums are really here to serve, so it's important to know what the wants of your community members are," said Bello. "I think the combination of theory and practice is what set me up for a career in museums."

In 2023, Bello's practical experience and theoretical knowledge culminated in his ideal job at the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve.

Recently celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve is a 47-acre site on the outskirts of Glendale that enables visitors to step nearly 5,000 years back in time. Scattered throughout the landscape are easily viewed stone etchings from the area’s Indigenous peoples — the Western Archaic tradition (8000–3000 BCE), the Hohokam (450–1450 CE) and the Patayan (500–1500 CE).

An adjacent learning center houses installations, workshops and ongoing education lectures in conjunction with ASU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

"Working at Deer Valley has been the perfect combination of informal learning in outdoor spaces, anthropology, culture and history," said Bello. “I feel that the museum studies program prepared me perfectly for the position.”

Now, Bello is hoping to use his experiences to inspire the next generation of museum professionals as an instructor in the newly revitalized museum studies program.

“When I was a student in the program, it centered primarily on studying theories like museology,” said Bello. “Today, it has evolved into a dynamic, hands-on learning experience, empowering students with practical, job-ready skills and knowledge to thrive in the cultural and museum sector.”

The programmatic changes are happening at a pivotal time. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the museum industry is expected to grow by 11% from 2023 until 2033.

“The museum industry thrives on passionate, skilled individuals who can inspire future visitors, ignite curiosity, and create unforgettable experiences. The MA in museum studies equips the next generation of museum professionals with the tools, knowledge and expertise to captivate audiences and shape the future of museums,” added Bello.