Meet Aja Frazier, a Northwestern University student double majoring in History and Asian Languages and Cultures. With a focus on Japanese women’s history and performance studies from the Edo through Showa periods, Aja brings a deep curiosity about the ways art and scholarship intersect — and she’s exploring those connections firsthand through her work as a curatorial intern at The Block Museum.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and your field of study?
I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. My majors are History and Asian Languages and Cultures. My field of study is Japanese studies, specifically focusing on women’s history and performance studies in the mid-to-late Edo through Showa periods.
What particularly interests you about learning and researching within the context of a campus art museum?
I’m really interested in the connections between art and education, which I think is a unique advantage of working at a museum on a college campus. Many professors do class visits to the Block to explore artwork relevant to course topics, and the Block actively works to curate that kind of interaction with the acquisition process. I think it’s crucial to remember the importance and various uses of art, especially in a time like this.
How do you see your internship connecting to your future academic or career goals?
After I graduate, I want to eventually get a PhD and go into teaching! A lot of my main research projects are centered around prints and artworks, as sources are prints and art, so learning both about art history and collection practices is extremely helpful for my studies. At The Block, I’m not only getting to practice collections research and archival management, but I’m also developing my vocabulary in art analysis. I also get to learn a great deal about the contemporary art world, which has already inspired ideas for side projects I can pursue in graduate school and beyond.
Can you share a favorite artwork or object you’ve encountered so far in The Block’s collection?
I really enjoyed the Woven Being (Jan-Jul 2025) exhibition. Seeing so many indigenous works in silent conversations with each other painted a beautiful picture not only of the rich heritage of local Indigenous communities but also of modern stories as well. The pieces at the entrance, Kelly Church’s Native Land Mat (2024) and Jason Wesaw’s Breath of Life… The First Song (2023), were particularly moving and set the perfect mood for the rest of the exhibition.
Another artwork (or should I say artworks) in the collection that I love is the Kunisada woodblock prints (Kioto Festival, Popular Beauties). These prints are exactly the kind of works I study, so it was really exciting to see them in person during a class visit to The Block before my internship. I’m hoping to do more research on them during my time here since they are relatively unique acquisitions compared to the collection here at the Block.
Outside of academics and work, what hobbies or passions energize you?
Outside of academics and work, I’m very involved in the performing arts. I love to sing, write songs, play guitar, dance, and act in my various extracurricular clubs. I’m also quite passionate about video games and create video essays on my favorite ones in my free time. I also enjoy knitting and crocheting in my spare time.
