When Stephanie Gandolfi graduated from The American University of Rome (AUR) in 2021 with a degree in Art History and Fine Arts, she never imagined that within just a few years she'd be leading innovative partnerships at one of Europe’s most prominent cultural institutions—the Munch Museum in Oslo. In April 2025, Gandolfi returned to her alma mater, sharing insights from her remarkable journey and encouraging current students to pursue purposeful careers with passion - whatever field they were destined for.
Raised in Norway, Gandolfi brought a global perspective to Rome, but it was AUR’s interdisciplinary curriculum that shaped her approach. "As an Art History major, I explored fine arts practice, and as an artist, gallery management became part of my studies," Gandolfi recalls. "It taught me to see art from every possible angle."
After graduation, Gandolfi moved to London to work in a gallery - this role led to an influential internship at Venice’s Peggy Guggenheim Collection, where she deepened her experience in curatorial and educational projects.
Exploring the entire art ecosystem, Staphanie found that not every role aligned directly with what she valued about art and what she valued about her career - a brief tenure at a commercial art house clarified her desire for purpose-driven work, ultimately leading her to the Munch Museum, where she now oversees initiatives built around accessibility, inclusion, and well-being.
As she shared her experiences, Stephanie was at pains to point out to students preparing to graduate that art is not just something to study, but something to live, share, and use as a force for connection, dialogue, and positive change - and the same can be said for all fields of study! Gandolfi’s journey underscores the potential for current AUR students to transform their education into meaningful careers that make a difference.
Thanks to student Sophie Stanchec for contributing to this article.