I’m lucky to be part of LACMA’s great membership team. The member services subdivision of that department is made up of Joanna Hernandez, Lovely Lee, and me—think of us as a concierge service for members. Most of the calls we get from members fall into one of three categories: requests for new membership cards, a check about membership status, to find out what's on view, or to learn about their qualifications for tax deductions.

Some calls, however, are far from routine. Last week I received a call from a woman who found remnants of a purse strewn on a sidewalk in her neighborhood. As she sifted through the contents hoping to find some identifying information, she uncovered a LACMA membership card with our phone number. I could sense concern and sincerity in her voice as she read the member’s information from the card. I located the member’s record and explained to her that, for security and privacy reasons, I couldn’t give her our member’s contact information, but that I’d give the member a call, if she wished.

My heart quickened as the member’s phone rang. No answer. I left a voicemail explaining that I was with the membership office at LACMA, and that I’d received a call from a Good Samaritan who had located some of her belongings. An hour went by before I heard anything from the member. When she finally called back, she explained that her house had been broken into, and that many of her belongings were missing. She was still shaken and too nervous to write down the woman’s contact information, so I sent her an email with the woman’s name and phone number. I wished her the best, saying that hopefully this was a sign that things would turn around soon and she’d recover what was stolen. I heard the onset of tears in her voice as she quietly thanked me for my help.

This is just one example of the many lessons in the countless conversations I have with people throughout the day. In a world that feels eager to remind us of how different we are, nothing creates common ground better than a listening ear. We all fall in love, experience heartbreak, lose people we care about, and even become victims of upsetting misfortune. Art has a glorious way of celebrating shared humanity, and places like LACMA provide space for important communal connection and catharsis.

I am transitioning next month to a new position as an on-site services supervisor. I’m sad to leave Joanna and Lovely, and I’ll certainly miss talking to members over the phone, but I’m excited to join our energetic and hardworking team in the Ticket Office to help make every visitor and member feel welcome. I look forward to having meaningful conversations face to face, making new connections, and I’m more excited than ever to continue discussing the value in individuals partnering with a museum like LACMA. As an east coast transplant a little over two years in, I feel honored to be a part of this vibrant community of artists and art enthusiasts. The next time you visit, be sure to stop by and say hello! Just ask for Jay.