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Contemporary Art Department Internship, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA

Posted November 17, 2016

The Department of Contemporary Art is responsible for the acquisition, study and display of art created from 1955 to today.  Contemporary art at the MFA encompasses many media including film and video art, sculpture, installation, photography, paintings, design, craft, decorative arts and performance.  In September 2011, the Museum opened its renovated Linde Family Wing as a space dedicated to contemporary art, vastly expanding the department’s capacity for exhibition.

The Department of Contemporary Art is seeking two interns, for 15-20 hours per week. The contemporary department organizes special exhibitions, produces internal and published material, and maintains the growing permanent collection. Internship candidates must be graduate students or undergraduate students who began their junior or senior year in fall 2016. Under the direction of department staff, the contemporary curatorial interns will conduct research, support special projects and events, and assist with the administrative functioning of the department.   

The selected candidates should be detail-oriented and eager to become immersed in both the administrative operations of the department and long-term projects. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with office experience and dedication to learn about and be involved in the day-to-day operations of a contemporary art department within the context of an encyclopedic fine arts institution. He/she will learn about the curatorial process and museum administration while gaining practical museum experience. Interns may also have the opportunity draft preliminary interpretive texts on collection pieces which will be used in the galleries and online. Projects will be assigned based on the needs of the curators and the intern’s interests and skills.

Responsibilities:

  • Gather and cull research materials 
  • Organize and respond to materials submitted by artists and galleries 
  • Assist in preparing correspondence, presentations and exhibition checklists
  • Provide support for administrative duties 
  • Flexibility to help with various tasks and ability to work within deadlines

Requirements:

  • Enrollment in, or very recent graduation from, a B.A., M.A. or  M.F.A. program in Art History, History of Decorative Arts, Museum Studies, Arts Administration or Art program, or B.S. or M.S. program in Library or Information Science with an interest in museums (currently enrolled undergraduates must be juniors and seniors)
  • Strong interest in and at least some knowledge of contemporary art 
  • Excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail and ability to multitask
  • Previous successful office experience, preferably in an arts organization, and proficiency in Microsoft Office (experience with art database programs such as The Museum System helpful)
  • Demonstrated written and communication skills; strong research skills
  • Ability to commit at least 15-20 hours per week through mid April  
  • *Candidates selected for interview may be requested to submit a writing sample of no more than 500 words 
  • Ability to attend orientation Sat, Jan 21, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon 

http://www.mfa.org/employment/contemporary-art-department-internship

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