Internships at the NCMA provide opportunities to become familiar with and actively contribute to the inner workings of an art museum. They offer a challenging learning experience and promote awareness of museum careers. Students gain valuable experience working at the Museum and may be able to earn educational credits for their work.
DEADLINES
June 15 for Fall Semester
October 1 for Spring Semester
March 1 for Summer Semester
ELIGIBILITY
College students, recent graduates, graduate students, and nontraditional students are encouraged to apply. Although it is not generally required that interns have an art or art history major, Museum departments may individualize their requirements. Eligibility varies for each internship term.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Send your application to internships@ncartmuseum.org. Be sure your submission includes all of the following:
You must include all the above items. If any are missing, you will not be considered for that internship. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your complete application. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
REVIEW PROCESS
Once the deadline has passed, Museum staff members review application materials. Finalists are contacted for interviews within about six weeks after the deadline. Final decisions are typically made within one month after that.
The number and frequency of internships available varies. A department may be unable to offer an internship for a particular semester, for varying reasons, even after an opening has been posted. You will be notified if your chosen department is not able to offer an internship.
TIME REQUIREMENTS
Interns must be available to work from 10 to 32 hours per week with flexible schedules. Refer to the individual department descriptions for hourly commitments.
ACADEMIC CREDIT
Some colleges give credit for internships. Students are responsible for arranging with their schools to receive credit. Internships are unpaid.
Available spring only
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students with a major in one of the following ancient art specialties:
1. Classical art or archaeology with an interest in Egyptology
OR
2. Ancient American art or archaeology interest in Andean material culture
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, with flexible schedule, 10–20 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents of the intern. Will include some or all of the following:
Available spring and summer
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students with a major in either 1) art history, with an interest in African, diaspora, or modern and contemporary art; knowledge of global arts desirable, OR 2) museum studies, with an interest in curatorial projects.
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, with flexible schedule, 10–20 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents of the intern. Will include some or all of the following:
Available fall, spring, and summer
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students with a major in one of the following art specialties:
1. Art history with an interest in modern and contemporary art. Knowledge of global arts, post-1980s, desirable.
OR
2. Museum studies with an interest in curatorial projects.
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, with flexible schedule, 10–20 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents of the intern. Will include some or all of the following:
Summer, fall, and spring
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students with a major or minor in art history or history and special interest or expertise in at least one of the following subject areas:
Graduate students in divinity degree programs with an interest in art history are also welcome.
TIME COMMITMENT
One or two semesters, with flexible schedule, 10–20 hours per week
Or
Two to three months between May and September, 20–32 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents of the intern. Will include some or all of the following:
Available fall, spring, and summer
DESCRIPTION
Are you interested in finding out what happens behind the scenes at the NCMA? The Registration Department has principal oversight of the permanent collection and provides crucial back-of-house support for a dynamic changing exhibition schedule.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students. Computer skills are necessary, including Windows Office, especially Word and Excel. Collections database experience is a plus.
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, with flexible schedule, 10–15 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents of the intern. May include some or all of the following:
Available fall, spring, and summer
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have completed their freshman year of college with coursework in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or related study. Writing and social media experience is extremely beneficial.
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, with flexible schedule, 20 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents of the intern. Will include some or all of the following:
Internship period runs May 7–August 8
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have completed their freshman year of college. Driver’s license and reliable and clean transportation a necessity. We reimburse for gas and mileage.
TIME COMMITMENT
A typical concert day begins at 10 am and ends about 1 am. We offer some flexibility, as long as you are available to work a minimum of 10 hours on those days.
RESPONSIBILITIES
January through March
TIME COMMITMENT
Flexible schedule, 6 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist with the production of Art in Bloom materials, including data input, editing labels, attending meetings, securing materials and supplies, creating name badges, and setting up and staffing the event.
Available fall only
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students with a background in education, communications, or other field that relates to intern responsibilities. Must be comfortable with social media and experienced in working with a team. This intern will collaborate with other interns within a larger College Advisory Council to brainstorm and develop content to promote College Night. .
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, with flexible schedule, 5–10 hours per week, August–November
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents of the intern. Will include some or all of the following:
Available fall, spring, and summer
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students. Previous experience working with children is required. Studio art, art history, art education experience preferred.
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, with flexible schedule, 8–16 hours per week. Some weekend availability preferred.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Projects change depending on the intern and exhibition schedule. In general, internships include:
Available fall, spring, and summer
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students with an art history background. Major may be art history, studio art, art education, museum studies, or arts administration.
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, with flexible schedule, 10–40 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents of the intern. Will include some or all of the following:
Available fall and spring
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students with some experience in art education, education, or art history. Major may be education, art education, art history, studio art, museum studies, anthropology, or arts administration. Comfort with learning technologies like Google docs and learning management systems (like Moodle, Canvas, or Schoology) a must.
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, Tuesday–Friday, approximately 10 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents of the intern. Will include some or all of the following:
Available summer only
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students with an art history background. Previous experience working with children and a background in art or outdoor recreation is preferred.
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, with flexible schedule, 20–30 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dependent upon academic background, interests and talents of the intern. The summer camp aide will work with camp assistants, instructors, volunteers, and NCMA education staff. Intern will help manage campers (ages 6–12) throughout the day, inside the Museum and outdoors, and provide support for instructors with preparation and organization of materials.
Available fall, spring, and summer
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have completed their first year of college with coursework in horticulture, landscape architecture, parks and recreation, ecology, or other relevant area.
TIME COMMITMENT
One semester, with flexible schedule, 10–40 hours per week
RESPONSIBILITIES
This internship is in the Museum Park. Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents, the intern can expect to be involved in some or all of the following:
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Sign UpMy internship with the NCMA provided me with practical curatorial training and broadened my knowledge of the inner workings of an art museum. I loved my time there—thank you!—Kyle Canter, Curatorial Intern, Fall 2018–Spring 2019
It has been amazing to see all of the hard work and dedication that goes into a visitor’s experience. I have loved coming in every day and being able to help make those experiences special. Being surrounded by people who are just as passionate as you makes coming to work that much more enjoyable. This internship has truly cemented that I want to pursue a museum career.—Hanna Levy, 2019 Outreach and Audience Engagement Intern
My time as a curatorial intern gave me my first opportunity to design an exhibition, work with docents, and learn the more practical matters of managing a collection. I still draw on this experience daily as I work on my own exhibition designs for the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Moreover, it was a really fun environment!—Zoe Ortiz Jenkins, 2015 Curatorial Intern in Ancient Art
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