Mass MoCA Internship Program, North Adams, MA
Posted November 3, 2014
MASS MoCA seeks full-time interns for various departments. Spend any season in the culturally rich, naturally beautiful Berkshires, while gaining invaluable professional experience in the arts. Paid interns are given $100/week stipend and free housing within a block of the complex (cable, internet, and utilities included). Each applicant may apply to a maximum of 2 departments.
Winter/Spring Application deadline: Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Internship Dates: Monday, Jan 5, 2015 – Monday, May 25, 2015
Performing Arts Production Interns (2): Interns work with the Production Coordinator, Master Carpenter, Master Electrician, House Sound Engineer, and house crew on all aspects of music -in all sizes from club and festival setup/strike, technical theatre and film. This includes hands-on in all of the following areas – carpentry, lighting, sound, audio/visual, and running crew.
Photography/Archive Database Management (1): Intern will work in cooperation with several departments to introduce a practical framework for MASS MoCA’s collection of archival media. The candidate will consist of 50% content creation and 50% archiving through our Digital Management system. Applicants should submit a formal portfolio of still images and videos. The portfolio consists of 90% of your application. In addition to your CV, cover letter, and letters of recommendation please include any relevant links: your blog, twitter, tumblr, a favorite blog, website, flickr, etc.
Performing Arts Administration (2): Intern works directly with the Managing Director of Performing Arts in the coordination of current and future season planning, general office work, and maintaining and updating all performing arts files. The intern will alternate between the Assistant to the Managing Director and Company Manager with drafting event programs, researching upcoming artists, assisting with artist services, and arranging transportation and housing logistics of visiting artists, staff, and fellow interns. Applicant must have a valid US driver’s license, as this internship includes a fair amount of driving.
Education (1): The intern works as part of the team in the Education Department, with primary responsibilities devoted to leading interpretive public and group tours of current exhibitions and interacting with museum visitors at the museum’s information desk. Additional responsibilities may be to assist in Kidspace to oversee public hours, help visitors explore the It’s Only Human exhibition and create their own works of art. The intern assists the Education Department with: upcoming events and gallery activities, family guides and curriculum activities, grant research, and with some office duties as needed. Weekend hours required. This is a great opportunity for a student (especially education and arts majors) to learn how to make contemporary art accessible to the public through educational programming, and a successful candidate is one who is outgoing, enjoys public speaking, and has a genuine interest in working with people of all abilities. Should also have strong writing skills.
Development and Special Events (1): Intern will be working directly with the Manager of Foundations and Corporate Grants and the Membership Coordinator on all aspects of MASS MoCA’s fundraising activities, including research, grant-writing, direct mail, special events and database management. Interns will be required to work up to 50 hours per week, although some weeks could be longer. In an average week, you will spend two days working on foundations and corporate grants and two days on membership, with the remaining day alternating as workload requires.
TO APPLY: Send application, cover letter, resume, and 2 reference letters to: MASS MoCA, c/o Meghan Robertson, Intern Coordinator, 1040 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247, email [email protected], or fax (413) 664-4519.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Q: How do I apply via email?
A: We encourage you to apply via email. You may submit application materials (this application, cover letter, resume, and two reference letters) in the text of an email or as Microsoft Word attachments. Reference letters may be submitted separately by the person writing the letter. Please ask reference to include contact information in their letter. Submit all applications to Meghan Robertson.
Q: May reference letters be submitted via email?
A: Yes. Two reference letters may be submitted via email with your application or separately. Please ask letter-writers to include contact information.
Q: May I apply via regular mail?
A: Yes. Please address mailed applications to Meghan Robertson, Company Manager, MASS MoCA, 1040 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247.
Q: Are MASS MoCA internships open to international applicants?
A: MASS MoCA can only accept applications from applicants who already have US citizenship or a work visa for work in the USA. Unfortunately we are unable to be a host organization for an international applicant.
Stipend and Housing
Q: How much is the stipend and which departments offer stipend and housing?
A: All departments offer each intern $100/week stipend plus housing for the duration of the internship in that department.
Q: What is housing like?
A: Located within walking distance from MASS MoCA, intern housing is furnished with basic furniture, pots and pans, and silverware. Interns share a bedroom (usually 2 interns per bedroom) and common areas with fellow interns. Interns are responsible for their own meals.
Q: Are pets permitted in intern housing?
A: No. Pets are not permitted in intern housing. Please find alternate pet care for the full duration of your internship.
Work Hours and Days Off
Q: How many hours do interns work?
A: Full time Interns will work 50+ hours per week. This is the best way to experience the inner workings of each department. Days off are determined by each department according to its needs.
Q: Are interns allowed to leave for several days at a time?
A: If you have a wedding or some other brief (2-3 days) event to attend that has been planned in advance, please inform us ASAP if you are selected for an interview. If you would need to leave the internship for one week or more, please do not apply now. Consider applying in the future when your schedule is more flexible. We are looking for people who can work continuously for the duration of an internship.
Other Questions
Q: Will there be any sort of intern education outside of working in the departments?
A: Yes. Once a week interns will meet for a presentation and discussion by department heads and/or visiting artists. During the summer season, we also plan all-intern excursions to other regional cultural institutions, such as the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown Theater Festival, Jacob’s Pillow and more.
Q: Who covers travel expenses?
A: Each intern is responsible for his or her own travel expenses.
Q: More questions?
A: Please email Meghan Robertson.