2024 Havner Curatorial Intern - Summer (Housing Provided)
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization.
Job Description:
Position Title: 2024 Havner Curatorial Intern-Summer (Housing Provided)
Position Type: Paid Intern
Division: Curatorial Affairs
Department: Art Management
Reports to: Curator
Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities.
We are passionate about transforming lives through experiences that encourage the discovery of new ideas, expanded dreams, and inspired actions.
As an intern at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, you will be empowered to think creatively, ask questions, and make suggestions to help move the institution forward.
Position Summary
The Havner Curatorial Summer Internship at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is a paid residential internship and opportunity to gain first-hand experience in a curatorial department and exposure to the workings of a major American art museum.
Havner Interns will work one on one with a member of the curatorial team and assist with exhibition projects, develop interpretation, including writing labels for collections objects and conduct research on objects in the collection.
Interns are expected to work with the full scope of the collection, which spans the 18th century through today. Crystal Bridges has a robust summer internship program across all departments, and Havner Interns will be welcomed into this community of colleagues. Through orientation, discussions and/or meetings, Havner Interns will gain knowledge of many museum departments. Havner Interns will expand upon their academic training and work to apply their knowledge and skills in professional ways.
This internship is open to current undergraduate juniors & seniors as well as current graduate first and second year students. This 8-week summer internship commences on June 3, 2024 and ends July 26, 2024. The intern is expected to work up to 40 hours per week. The stipend is paid biweekly. Pay rate for undergraduate students is $13/hr. Pay for graduate students is $14/hr. Housing near Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is provided (Two interns per bedroom). Relocation assistance will be provided.
Crystal Bridges is committed to an equitable, inclusive, and diverse cohort of interns and aims to provide training for the next generation of museum professionals. Students representing ethnically underrepresented groups in the curatorial field are encouraged to apply.
Principle Responsibilities (Essential Functions):
The notes on the work environment described here are intended to outline internship expectations that enable the intern to perform the essential functions of this position.
- The position requires verbal and written conversation with others, work at a desk and utilizing a computer for prolonged periods of time.
- Each week, interns will have several required meetings.
- In addition, interns will meet regularly with their supervisor.
- While much of the work is self-guided, interns are expected to pro-actively update their supervisor regarding progress on projects and challenges faced. Interns are expected to actively participate in talks, meetings, and other opportunities.
- Interns will be expected to attend and participate in internship related activities and programming.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Undergraduate: enrolled juniors and seniors
- Graduate: enrolled first or second year of graduate school (typically MA student)
- Interest in and/or experience with American art history, architecture, visual and material culture, American studies, craft, Native American art, Latin American art, and contemporary art.
- Completion of at least one American art history course
- Detail-oriented
- Must maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
Schedule:
- Month: Monday, June 3, 2024 – Friday, July 26, 2024
- Weeks: 8 weeks
- Hours: 40 hours a week
- Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor
Timeline:
- Applications due: March 16h
- Intern selected by: April 12th
- Anticipated Start Date: June 3rd
Required Documents:
- Submit a Current CV/Resume
- Submit a one-page cover letter answering the following
- State your current year in school and identify your areas of interest
- How would an internship at Crystal Bridges advance your education and career goals?
- As stated above, Crystal Bridges is committed to an equitable, inclusive, and diverse cohort of interns. Please describe how your work contributes to these values
- At least one letter of recommendation; please submit a maximum of two.
Compensation
- Undergraduate intern compensation: $13.00 an hour
- Graduate intern compensation: $14.00 an hour
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical demands: In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.
- Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. The noise level in the museum work environment is usually low to moderate.
- If the intern’s personal equipment is used, the museum accepts no liability for any damage caused to said equipment while being used for museum purposes, nor loss or corruption of electronic files on devices.
All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.
Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.