Internships: Summer 2009
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| Internships: Eleven-Month | Summer | Volunteer |
| 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. Several opportunities are geared to undergraduates graduating in 2009. The majority of slots are for currently enrolled graduate students of all levels and those graduating in May 2009 with a relevant degree (such as MA, MBA, MFA, M Arch, M Ed, JD, or MLS). Please check prerequisites carefully. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Terms
Summer interns are in residence at the Gallery from June 15 to August 14, 2009. Interns receive a stipend of approximately $4,500 that is subject to all applicable taxes.
- Timeline and Procedures
- January 15, 2009
- 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.
- January 30, 2009
- Semifinalists will be notified of their status and asked to submit additional materials by February 5, 2009. 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 5, 2009
- Deadline for semifinalists' materials. Résumé, writing sample, and transcripts should be sent to our mailing address.
- March 26, 2009
- Finalists will be selected.
Summer Internship Application (PDF 40K)
(Download Acrobat Reader)
Architecture and Engineering: CAD System
The intern will assist the Gallery’s CAD manager in the office of architecture and engineering by surveying and documenting Gallery architectural features, engineering systems, and facilities information using AutoCAD, AutoCAD Map, Microsoft Access, and Revit. Current graduate-level architecture or engineering students and 2009 graduates of such programs are invited to apply. Preference will be given to those candidates with a working knowledge of AutoCAD and experience with Revit.
Archives
The intern will work directly with materials relating to the history of the National Gallery of Art, including files, photographs, and architectural drawings of the museum’s buildings. Activities will include organizing, preserving, and describing a group of documents as well as undertaking related digital imaging and database development activities. The intern will be introduced to archives in a museum setting, as well as practical issues associated with the transition to a digital environment. Current art history or library science graduate students with an interest in the digital imaging of archival materials and 2009 graduates of such a program are invited to apply.
Conservation: Paper
The intern will assist paper conservators in cataloguing items in the Paper Sample Collection of historic and modern artists' drawing and printing papers. He or she will also perform conservation treatments on the Gallery's collection of works of art on paper. Other responsibilities may include capturing watermarks and organizing materials in the collection. Current graduate students from a conservation training program and 2009 graduates of such a program are invited to apply.
Conservation: Sculpture
The intern will work with object conservators on the annual maintenance of the outdoor sculptures as well as participate in current object treatments of the Gallery's 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 sculptures. Graduate students currently enrolled in a conservation training program and 2009 graduates of such a program are invited to apply.
Curatorial: American and British Paintings
The intern will assist with upcoming exhibitions (George Bellows and/or American Still Life). He or she will also undertake research for the systematic catalogue of works by George Catlin, as well as for recent acquisitions of American and British paintings in the permanent collection. Current advanced art history graduate students with a special interest in American and British art, working knowledge of pertinent bibliographical and historical sources, and demonstrated excellent 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 collection of Italian and Spanish paintings, and will participate in the daily functions of the department. Current advanced 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 demonstrated knowledge of Italian are invited to apply. Reading knowledge of Spanish is desired.
Curatorial: Modern and Contemporary Art—Juan Gris
The intern will perform research in preparation for a retrospective of the work of Juan Gris. Current art history graduate students with a strong background in modern art and demonstrated research and writing skills are invited to apply. Ability to undertake research and prepare critical assessments of sources in French and Spanish is essential.
Curatorial: Old Master Drawings—Ratjen Collection
The intern will help catalogue 185 Italian and German drawings from the Wolfgang Ratjen collection, acquired by the Gallery in 2007, and assist with biographical and provenance history. Current advanced graduate students in art history with a good reading knowledge of German and familiarity with Italian are invited to apply. A strong background in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century German art is preferred.
Curatorial: Photographs—Pre-Raphaelite Photography
The intern will assist in the organization of an exhibition examining the evolution of art photography in mid-nineteenth-century Great Britain and its relationship to Pre-Raphaelite painting. Duties will include conducting research for the exhibition and performing associated administrative work. The intern will also participate in the daily functions of the department. Current advanced art history graduate students with knowledge of nineteenth-century photography and/or British art or 2009 graduates with an MA in art history 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 that includes more than 2,700 objects. The intern will conduct advanced independent research at the Archives of American Art, the Library of Congress, and the Gallery’s library. Research will include examination of oral histories and papers of artists, collectors, and dealers, and contributions to the bibliographic and exhibition history listings for works of art. Current art history graduate students with strong organizational skills and a specialization in modern art are invited to apply.
Curatorial Records and Files
The intern will integrate new systematic catalogue research into the curatorial files and update bibliographic and provenance information in the collection database. Research on collectors and prior owners of Gallery objects may be required. The intern will also serve as a general departmental assistant helping staff and outside scholars use the curatorial files and assisting with the annual departmental inventory. Current art history, history, or museum studies graduate students and 2009 graduates of such programs are invited to apply. Familiarity with museum collection databases is essential, as well as the ability to work independently.
Education: Art Information for the Public
This internship has two aspects. The intern will present three spotlight talks for adults in the galleries on premodern European and/or American works of art. Mentoring will be provided by professional Gallery lecturing staff. The intern will also work with the art information program at the information desks, assisting with the volunteers, and researching and preparing responses to written requests about art from the general public. Currently enrolled advanced graduate students in art history are invited to apply. A demonstrated interest in working directly with the public is essential. Advanced English speaking and writing skills are required. Advanced skills in a language other than English are desirable.
Education: National Teacher Institute
The intern will assist with the National Teacher Institute, a six-day professional development seminar held at the Gallery for two sessions during the summer. He or she will help develop and coordinate teaching resources, assist with program arrangements for speakers, and work directly with teachers during the Institute sessions. Current graduate students in art education, museum education, studio art, fine arts, or art history and 2009 graduates of such programs are invited to apply. Interest in working with K–12 teachers is essential.
Education Publications
The intern will contribute to a project that provides information on the Gallery’s one hundred most notable works of art. He or she will develop commentaries and biographies for the project by conducting research into artists, works of art, and related resources. The intern will track and coordinate contributions from writers working on the project as needed. Candidates with one year of graduate-level art history coursework and excellent writing and research skills are invited to apply. Previous experience in museum writing is preferred.
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 2009 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 participate in a variety of projects. The intern will prepare films for screen printing, mix inks, assist in printing, and produce proposals and mock-ups for various elements of exhibitions. Current studio art graduate students and graduates of an MFA or related degree program are invited to apply. 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/or other materials in conjunction with special exhibitions. Duties may include researching archival footage, images, and music, logging footage, and updating scripts to correspond to the final film. The intern may also assist with departmental operations and conduct art-historical research for other exhibition-related programs or materials. Current art history or film history graduate students of all levels and 2009 graduates of such programs are invited to apply.
Horticultural Services
The intern will work in all areas of the horticulture services division and will directly participate in its daily overall operations. In particular, the intern will work with the greenhouse manager to document greenhouse procedures and develop a greenhouse operations manual. The intern’s time will be divided between general horticulture operations (50–75 percent) and the greenhouse operations manual project (25–50 percent). Candidates must be enrolled in a horticulture degree program at the university level or be a 2009 graduate of such a 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 coursework 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 cataloguing and digitizing the library’s collection of reproductive prints of works of art. Current graduate students of all levels in European art history (fifteenth to nineteenth century) are eligible to apply. Reading knowledge of French and another European language is highly desirable. Candidates should also have an understanding of print technology and familiarity with museum registration or archives procedures and methods.
Library: Rare Photographs Project
The intern will help catalogue and digitize the library’s collection of rare photographs of works of art. Current graduate students of all levels in European or American art history (fifteenth to twentieth century) are eligible to apply. Reading knowledge of French and another European language is highly desirable. Candidates should also have an understanding of photographic processes and familiarity with museum registration or archives procedures and methods.
Music Department: Concert Management
The intern will assist with the Gallery’s Friday Sculpture Garden jazz and Sunday concert series. He or she will assist with multiple aspects of concert management and may write program notes. A research project devised in consultation with the head of the department will correspond with the intern’s special interests. Current graduate students in music or music history and 2009 graduates of such programs are invited to apply.
Personnel: Labor and Employment 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 school students with legal research experience will be considered.
Protection Services: Security
The intern will assist the protection services division in reviewing existing policies, procedures, and guidance pertaining to all aspects of Gallery security. Students with a spring 2009 undergraduate degree or a graduate student currently enrolled in a relevant degree program will be considered. A strong interest and/or background in museum security management is essential.
Publishing Office: Production Processes
The intern will assist in the preparation of exhibition-related publications, as well as materials for distribution and use at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. Projects may include developing exhibition catalogues, educational brochures, wall texts, an annual publications catalogue, fact sheets on forthcoming exhibition catalogues, and "dummy" books for forthcoming catalogues. He or she will participate in the publication process from beginning to end, assist editors, designers, and production staff, and work with curatorial departments and other Gallery departments as needed. Current graduate students in relevant disciplines and 2009 graduates with a BA or relevant degree are invited to apply.
Special Events: Event Management
The intern will assist the department with event-related work ranging from archiving past event files to assisting with the execution of daily special events. He or she will execute a documentation project using file photographs as well as creative and logistical details of events. The intern will catalogue event records by collecting and organizing invitation and menu card samples, examples of calligraphy styles, event photographs, linen samples, design layouts, and event budgets. The intern will also assist in research for future events. Spring 2009 graduates with a relevant undergraduate degree and current graduate students enrolled in a program such as arts administration, event management, tourism administration, or hotel management are invited to apply.
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.