Art Bridges is a new foundation, founded by Alice Walton, whose mission is to expand access to American art in all regions across the nation. Art Bridges organizes and administrates exhibitions of American art at public and academic art museums of all sizes. These exhibitions draw from Art Bridges growing collection and the collections of partner institutions. The exhibitions supported by Art Bridges are engaging, content-rich, and include in-depth educational and interpretive materials. They range from single-object loans to fully developed thematic exhibitions, and include support for programming, community outreach, audience engagement, and meaningful evaluation.
The Art Bridges Summer Internship offers the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in an exhibitions department and exposure to a variety of art museums across the United States. Art Bridges has a growing summer internship program across all departments, and the Traveling Exhibitions Intern will be welcomed into this community of colleagues. Through orientation, discussion lunches, and meetings, the Traveling Exhibitions Intern will gain knowledge of many aspects of the arts field. They will expand upon their academic training and work to apply their knowledge and skills in professional ways.
The Traveling Exhibitions Intern assists the Traveling Exhibitions Team for Art Bridges Foundation, who work in collaboration with partner institutions to develop traveling exhibitions. This internship provides a unique opportunity to learn about and contribute to the research, planning, and implementation of exhibitions tour development. This includes researching potential partner venues, updating tour information in the database, and assisting partner organizers and venues as needed.
This internship offers training in the museum profession and an overview of museum exhibition tour development from the early planning stages through implementation. The ideal candidate is passionate about expanding access to art collections and has interest and is skilled in critical thinking, research, communications, data organization, and building interpersonal relationships. Applicants must be ready to problem solve unique situations and be prepared for a hands on experience. A diplomatic and flexible disposition, with the ability to collaborate amongst a diverse group of people, is highly desired.
This 8-10 week summer internship normally will commence on or about June 8, 2020 and will end August 7, 2020 or August 14, 2020. However, Art Bridges internships are contingent upon the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic. At its discretion Art Bridges may convert the resident internship into a virtual internship with work assignments and intern activities completed remotely, and in such case the standard intern stipend will be adjusted accordingly.
The anticipated number of hours per week is 35 work hours. The stipend is paid biweekly. Housing near Art Bridges is provided. One intern position is available for summer 2020. A laptop will be provided.
Art Bridges is committed to a diverse workforce and to providing training for the next generation of museum professionals. Students representing ethnically underrepresented groups in the museum exhibitions field are encouraged to apply.
Areas of Support:
The Traveling Exhibitions Intern will actively participate and perform duties in some of the following functional areas:
Assist the Traveling Exhibitions team in developing exhibition tours:
o Potential venue research; identifying best contact person at identified institutions
o Writing and editing copy for various projects, including exhibition precis. Assist with finding and/or developing content for the Art Bridges website.
o Assist with venue support. The needs of our partner venues vary, and this will require flexibility and problem-solving.
Meeting attendance:
o Attend All Staff and Exhibition department meetings
o Attend project meetings
o Collaborate with curators, program administrators, education/programming staff, registrars, web developers, and others
o Other duties as assigned
Internship Compensation (Stipend)
Up to $2,800 for undergraduate students
Up to $3,500 for graduate students
Housing provided
Timeline
Applications due May 15, 2020
Interns selected by May 29, 2020
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 herein, position requires work at a desk and utilizing a computer for prolonged periods of time and excellent eye/hand coordination. Visual acuity to review detailed drawings and written materials is required for this job.
Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment and in museum spaces. The noise level in the office and Museum work environment is usually low to moderate.
Please submit a resume, cover letter and a writing sample (2-3 pages) to be considered for this internship. The application deadline is May 15, 2020 for the summer semester internship.
Basic Qualifications
Undergraduate: rising seniors and current seniors (class of 2020)
Graduate: first or second year graduate students
Detail-oriented
Dependable and punctual
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required, and familiarity with library and Web-based search tools is strongly preferred.
A background check is required
Must maintain confidentiality of all non-public information
Possible course credit can be negotiated with University departmental supervisor
