Museum Exhibitions Intern – Fall 2020

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American Art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities.

We are passionate about transforming lives through experiences that encourage the discovery of new ideas, expanded dreams and inspired actions.

As an intern at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, you will be empowered to think creatively, ask questions, and make suggestions to help move the institution forward.

Diversity Internship Program

Crystal Bridges is committed to a diverse workforce and to providing training for the next generation of non-profit professionals. Recognizing the desire and responsibility to support and develop greater diversity in the professions related to museums and the visual arts Crystal Bridges will assertively recruit interns from underrepresented demographics to support our organization’s and industry’s diversity and inclusion strategic initiatives.  Students representing ethnically underrepresented groups in the museum industry are encouraged to apply. This is a paid internship.

Position Summary:

The Museum Exhibitions Intern assists the Exhibitions & Interpretation Department, who work in collaboration with the curatorial and educational teams, in formulating narrative and interpretive strategies for temporary and rotating exhibitions, as well as conducting research and evaluations of guest interactives and visitor experiences.

This internship provides a unique opportunity to learn about and contribute to the research, planning, and implementation of interpretive tools for the Museum’s exhibitions and art installations. These include items such as brochures, activity guides, rack cards, labels, audio tours, and other digital tools that encourage guest engagement and learning (in the galleries, on the grounds, and in other museum-related spaces).

The goal is to create an impactful and rewarding experience for our museum guests. This internship offers hands-on training in the museum profession and an overview of museum exhibition operations from the early planning stages through implementation.

The ideal candidate is passionate about artistic expression, the arts in general, and has interest and skills in critical thinking, creative writing, and online and library research. Applicants must be ready to think creatively in unfamiliar situations and be prepared for hands on experience. A diplomatic and flexible disposition, with the ability to collaborate amongst a diverse group of people, is highly desired.

This internship will be VIRTUAL – assigned work projects will be fulfilled by the selected intern remotely, therefore time-management and organizational skills are essential, as well as a self-starting and motivated personality. Regular weekly meetings and check-ins will be conducted via Zoom or another virtual meeting platform.

Areas of Support:

The Exhibitions Intern will actively participate and perform duties in some of the following functional areas:

• Assist the Interpretation Managers in creating interpretive elements for exciting and engaging exhibitions.

  • Artist and art object research (online and in library), summarizing findings

  • Writing and editing copy for various projects, including blog posts

  • Engage in creative brainstorming

• Assist in conducting visitor evaluation and data collection

• Assist in accessibility measures in our galleries

• Assist members of Exhibition Projects teams (curators, designers, managers, educators, Director of Exhibitions & Interpretation) in idea generation, project development, and research as needed.

• Meeting attendance

  • Attend All Staff and Exhibition department meetings

  • Attend project meetings to collaborate with curators, interpretive staff, educators, registrars, preparators and others

  • Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3^rd or 4^th year Interdisciplinary Humanities student (college level) preferred; can include (but is not limited to) majors/minors such as American Studies, African American Studies, Indigenous Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, Art History, Studio Art, Cultural Anthropology, Communication, English, History, Journalism/Strategic Media, and Sociology.

• Dependable and punctual

• Minimum of 10 to a maximum of 20 hours per week; a mutually agreeable schedule will be determined in conversation with the Interpretation Manager.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required, and familiarity with library and Web-based search tools is strongly preferred.

• A background check is required

• Must maintain confidentiality of all non-public Museum information

• Possible course credit can be negotiated with University departmental supervisor