Internships: Summer 2008
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| Internships: Graduate Internships | Summer | Volunteer Intern |
| Fellowships: CASVA | Conservation | Curatorial |
| Volunteer: Docents | Art Information | Library | High School | Copyist | Horticulture |
| Employment: Current Job Announcements |
National Gallery of Art Announces Summer Interns for 2008
Since 1964 the National Gallery of Art has offered professional museum training to candidates from all backgrounds through a variety of internship programs. Nine-week summer internships provide opportunities to work on projects directed by a Gallery curator or department head. Biweekly museum seminars introduce interns to the broad spectrum of museum work, and to Gallery staff, departments, programs, and functions.
Eligibility
Eligibility varies according to internship. A few are geared to undergraduates graduating in 2008, but most are for currently enrolled graduate students of all levels and those graduating in 2008 with a relevant degree (e.g., MA, MBA, MFA, M Arch, M Ed, JD, or MLS). Please check prerequisites carefully. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This is an international program.
Terms
Summer interns are in residence at the Gallery from June 16 to August 15, 2008. Interns receive a stipend of $4,500 and are subject to all applicable taxes.
- Timeline and Procedures
- January 17, 2008
- Deadline for applications. Deadline for applications. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Please send one original and five copies of the completed form to our mailing address. If you would like confirmation that your application was received, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope or postcard with your application forms. Please note that receipt of the card does not guarantee that the application is eligible for consideration.
- January 31, 2008
- Semifinalists will be notified of their status and asked to submit additional materials by February 7, 2008. Semifinalists will be asked to submit one original and five copies of a résumé, one original and five copies of a writing sample, and six copies of transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended. Recommenders listed on the application will be contacted directly by the Gallery's Academic Programs staff.
- February 7, 2008
- Deadline for semifinalists' materials. Résumé, writing sample, and transcripts should be sent to our mailing address.
- March 24, 2008
- Finalists will be selected.
Application (PDF 32K)
(Download Acrobat Reader)
Architecture and Engineering: Fire Protection Engineering
The intern will assist the Gallery's fire protection engineer and other managers with design and construction projects that are components of the Master Facilities Plan, an ongoing program of capital improvements. The intern will focus on developing and implementing fire protection strategies throughout the Gallery and completing renovations. He or she will document fire protection systems in AutoCAD and assist with day-to-day oversight of active construction projects. Advanced knowledge of fire protection engineering and some skill with AutoCAD are required. Preference will be given to students with a spring 2008 undergraduate degree or graduate students currently enrolled in a relevant degree program.
Conservation: Paper
The intern will catalogue items in the Paper Sample Collection of historic and contemporary artists' drawing and printing papers. Other responsibilities will include capturing watermarks and organizing materials in the collection. He or she will also perform conservation treatments on the Gallery's collection of works of art on paper. Preference will be given to graduate students currently enrolled in a conservation training program and 2008 graduates of such a program.
Conservation: Sculpture
The intern will work with object conservators on the annual maintenance of the Gallery's outdoor sculptures as well as treat objects in the Gallery's (indoor) collection. He or she will support ongoing research for the catalogue on Renaissance small bronzes; duties will include x-radiography, x-ray fluorescence analysis, and microscopic examination of the artworks. Preference will be given to graduate students currently enrolled in a conservation training program and to 2008 graduates of such a program.
Curatorial: American and British Paintings
The intern will conduct research for a comprehensive retrospective exhibition devoted to the career of the American realist painter George Bellows. Current art history graduate students of all levels with a special interest in early twentieth-century American art, working knowledge of pertinent bibliographical and historical sources, and demonstrated writing and research skills are invited to apply.
Curatorial: Italian Renaissance Paintings
The intern will perform research and other tasks related to the Gallery's outstanding collection of Italian and Spanish paintings and will participate in the daily functions of the department. Current art history graduate students of all levels with a strong knowledge of the Italian Renaissance and southern European art, demonstrated skills in writing and research, and a solid reading knowledge of Italian are invited to apply. Reading knowledge of Spanish is desired.
Curatorial: Northern Baroque Paintings
The intern will conduct research and draft texts on recent acquisitions of Dutch and Flemish paintings. He or she will participate in the daily functions of the department and assist with upcoming exhibitions and the revised edition of the Dutch systematic catalogue. Current art history graduate students at an advanced level who have a strong knowledge of northern baroque art, good writing skills, and a demonstrated ability to research Dutch and German sources are invited to apply.
Curatorial: Northern Renaissance Paintings
The incumbent will assist the curator in performing research on fifteenth and sixteenth-century Netherlandish, German, and French painting. It is possible that he or she will help in the preparation of an exhibition of French Renaissance art. Art historical training in the period and a good working knowledge of French and German are required.
Curatorial: Photographs
The intern will help organize an exhibition examining the evolution of art photography in Great Britain in the mid-nineteenth century and its relationship to Pre-Raphaelite painting. Tasks may include conducting research for the exhibition and associated administrative tasks as well as participating in the daily functions of the department. Current art history graduate students at an advanced level with knowledge of nineteenth-century photography and/or British art and 2008 graduates with an MA in art history are invited to apply.
Curatorial: Photographs in the Permanent Collection
The intern will catalogue and conduct research on new acquisitions ranging across the history of American and European photography. He or she will also conduct research on exhibitions as necessary and assist in the daily functions of the department. Current art history graduate students at an advanced level who have a strong knowledge of the history of photography and/or nineteenth- and twentieth-century art are invited to apply.
Curatorial: Special Projects in Modern Art: Mark Rothko
The intern will assist with the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of Mark Rothko's works on paper. Tasks will include conducting and confirming research on the provenance, exhibition, and publication histories for individual works of art. Broader research responsibilities may include examining oral histories and papers of artists, collectors, and dealers at the Archives of American Art. Preference will be given to current art history graduate students of all levels with strong research skills and a special interest in and knowledge of modern art.
Curatorial Records and Files
The intern will integrate new systematic catalogue research into the curatorial files for fifteenth century Flemish and/or Italian paintings and update bibliographic and provenance information in the collection database. He or she will also serve as a general departmental assistant, helping staff and outside scholars with the use of curatorial files. The intern will be introduced to the Gallery's World War II provenance research project and will assist the department head as needed in this area. Accuracy and an attention to detail in data entry are required. Preference will be given to current art history and history (with coursework in museology) students or 2008 graduates of such programs. An interest in and familiarity with museum collection databases is essential. Reading knowledge of German and/or Italian is preferred.
Digital Imaging and Visual Services: Digital Asset Management
The intern will assist in maintaining the Gallery's digital asset management system (DAM), cataloguing individual and collections of images and proofing image metadata. He or she will also help the Gallery test OAICatMuseum (software for sharing digital images with networked partners). The intern must be familiar with MacOS X, FileMaker Pro, and digital imaging terminology. Current art history or library science graduate students or 2008 graduates of such programs are invited to apply.
Education: Art Information for the Public
The intern will work closely with art information staff, reevaluating and rewriting materials that will be made into download-on-demand Web pages for the public. He or she will analyze current resources and assist with the daily operation of the volunteer program; present one or more tours; and write for the Gallery's Web site. Current graduate students in art education, art history, studio art, journalism, or museum education as well as 2008 graduates with an MA or MFA or relevant degree in such disciplines are invited to apply.
Education: National Teacher Institute
The intern will assist with the National Teacher Institute, a six-day professional development seminar held at the Gallery for three sessions during the summer. The intern will help develop and coordinate teaching resources, assist with program arrangements for speakers, and work directly with teachers during the sessions. Interest in working with K–12 teachers is essential. Experience using online technologies is desired. Current graduate students in art education, museum education, studio art, fine arts, or art history and 2008 graduates of such programs are invited to apply.
Education: High School Studio Workshops
The intern will research and help plan resources for teachers and students and assist in developing activities for the Gallery's academic-year High School Studio Workshops. Current graduate students in studio art, art education, art history, museum studies, or education at all levels and 2008 graduates in such disciplines are invited to apply. Preference will be given to current graduate students in ancient art history.
Education: School Tour and Docent Programs
The intern will help develop a new curriculum for training new docents who will be working with K-12 students. Current graduate students in museum education, museum studies, and art history at all levels and 2008 graduates of such programs are invited to apply.
Exhibition Design: Design and Architectural Projects
The intern will assist designers and architects with upcoming exhibitions and other design matters. Primary duties will include organizing data for upcoming exhibitions, working on architectural plans and details, and making scale models. Experience with AutoCAD and Photoshop is desirable, but not essential. Current design or architecture graduate students at advanced levels and 2008 graduates of such programs are invited to apply.
Exhibition Design: Silkscreen Shop
The intern will assist the design staff with the production of graphics for exhibitions and signage throughout the East Building, West Building, and Sculpture Garden. He or she will be involved in a variety of projects, sometimes several at the same time. He or she will prepare films for screen printing, mix inks, assist in printing, as well as produce proposals and mock-ups for various elements of an exhibition opening in fall 2008. Preference will be given to current studio-art graduate students and 2008 graduates of an MFA or related degree program. Printmaking experience is helpful, but not required.
Exhibition Programs: Documentary Films and Other Materials
The intern will assist with the production of documentary films and other materials in conjunction with special exhibitions. Duties may include researching archival footage, images, and music; logging new footage; and updating film scripts to correspond to the final cut. The intern may also assist with departmental operations and conduct art historical research for other exhibition-related programs or materials. Current art history, film, or film history graduate students of all levels and 2008 graduates with an MA (art history, film, or film history) are invited to apply. Knowledge of ancient art and/or Italian language is preferred.
Office of Equal Employment Opportunity: Legal Research
The intern will assist the EEO Officer with reasonable accommodation matters for employees and visitors with disabilities, dispute resolution for employees, and other projects related to employment discrimination and the EEO complaint process. The intern will perform legal research and analysis, identify options for improving accessibility, and assist in developing strategies for implementation of dispute resolution programs. Only rising third-year law students with legal research experience and a demonstrated interest in employment and/or disability law will be considered.
Facilities Management: Mechanical Systems
The intern will aid the facilities management division's senior design staff in identifying, planning, and managing mechanical engineering projects. Assignments will include the repair and modification of unique systems that provide the precise environmental conditions required for exhibiting and storing the Gallery's art collections. Only candidates in mechanical engineering graduate programs or 2008 graduates of such a program will be considered.
Gallery Archives
The intern will work directly with materials relating to the history of the National Gallery of Art, including files, photographs, and architectural drawings for the museum's buildings. He or she will organize, preserve, and describe a group of documents and undertake related digital imaging and database development for them. The intern will be introduced to archival principles and the work of museum archives as well as practical issues associated with the transition to the digital environment. Preference will be given to current graduate students (e.g., MA, MLS) with an interest in the digital imaging of archival materials and 2008 graduates with such a degree.
Horticultural Services
The intern will work in all areas of the horticulture services division and will be directly involved in the division's daily overall operations. As a particular emphasis, he or she will help the greenhouse manager document greenhouse procedures and develop an operations manual. The intern's time will be divided 50 to 75 percent on overall horticulture operations and the remaining 25 to 50 percent on the greenhouse documentation project. Preference will be given to 2008 graduates with a relevant undergraduate degree and to current graduate students enrolled in a relevant program.
Library: Art History Database Project
The intern will assist with the automation and digitization of the Gallery's image collection and will be introduced to all aspects of visual resources curatorship. He or she will learn the basic principles of information management, digitization, and image librarianship and will add digital files and detailed records for works of art to the library's online catalogue. The intern will suggest an area of concentration in American, Australian, or European art and architecture and a topic will be assigned. Candidates should have completed at least one year of graduate work in either art history or library science. Advanced course work in the relevant subject area and knowledge of computer systems are required. Reading knowledge of one or more European languages is highly desirable.
Library: Reproductive Print Project
The intern will assist with cataloging and digitizing the Library's collection of reproductive prints of works of art. Current graduate students in European art history (fifteenth to eighteenth-century) of all levels are eligible to apply. Reading knowledge of French and another European language is highly desirable. Candidates should also have understanding of print technology. Familiarity with museum registration or archives procedures and methods will be useful.
Music Department: Concert Management and Baroque Music and Art
The intern will research the connections between music and art in baroque Europe, particularly in the Netherlands. In consultation with the head of the music department, research could be tailored to correspond to the intern's special interests. He or she will also gain experience with concert management and is encouraged to attend Gallery concerts and write program notes. There is also an opportunity to give public performances. Skills and experience with baroque music, voice, or a period instrument are desirable. Current graduate students in music or music history and 2008 graduates of such programs are invited to apply.
Personnel Office: Labor Law
The intern will assist attorneys in the personnel office with preparing cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Federal Labor Relations Authority. He or she will perform legal research and analysis, develop case files, assist in discovery, and draft motions and disciplinary actions. Only rising second-year law students with legal research experience will be considered.
Procurement and Contracts
The Gallery's procurement and contracts division is responsible for negotiating, awarding, and administering contracts and purchase orders to provide goods and services to support the Gallery's mission. The intern will prepare contract documents, analyses, and reports; consult with contractors and client program offices; and assist in maintaining the procurement aspects of the Gallery's financial management database. Advanced skills in accounting or business administration, and proficiency in computer technology are required. Preference will be given to students currently enrolled in a graduate accounting, business, and/or management program and to 2008 graduates of such programs.
Protection Services
The protection services division, which is responsible for securing the Gallery's collections, staff, visitors, and properties, includes security officers and technical, administrative, health, and safety and risk management staff. The intern will assist the division in reviewing existing policies, procedures, and guidance related to all aspects of Gallery security. Strong interest in museum security management and excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Preference will be given to a graduate student currently enrolled in a relevant degree program. A strong interest and/or background in museum security management are desired.
Publishing Office: Production Processes
The intern will assist in the preparation of a variety of exhibition-related publications as well as materials for distribution and use at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. Projects may include exhibition catalogues, educational brochures, wall texts, an annual publications catalogue, fact sheets on forthcoming exhibition catalogues, and sample books for forthcoming catalogues. He or she will participate in the publication process from beginning to end, assisting editors, designers, and production staff, and may work with other Gallery departments, as needed. Current graduate students in relevant disciplines and 2008 graduates with a BA or relevant degree are invited to apply.
Special Events: Event Management
The intern will work on a broad span of event-related tasks ranging from archiving past event files to assisting with the execution of daily special events. He or she will execute a project of documenting with file photographs the creative and logistical details of events between 2005 and the present. The intern will catalogue event records by collecting invitation and menu card samples, examples of calligraphy styles, event photographs, linen samples, design layouts, and event budgets. He or she will organize these elements systematically by event, documenting almost 100 events in all. The intern will also assist in research for future events. Preference will be given to 2008 graduates with a relevant undergraduate degree and to current graduate students enrolled in a program such as arts administration, event management, tourism administration, or hotel management.
Mailing Address
Department of Academic
Programs
Division of Education
National Gallery of Art
2000B
South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
Inquiries
Additional information about National Gallery of Art internships and curatorial fellowships is available from the Department of Academic Programs: telephone: (202) 842-6257 or email intern@nga.gov.
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The present announcement supersedes all previous information about the Summer Internships.