Internships
The Walters Art Museum is pleased to offer opportunities for qualified undergraduate and graduate candidates to intern in various museum divisions throughout the year. Based on a system of supervised learning, the internships enable interns to understand how a museum operates and how to relate this experience to academic and professional goals. Credit can be arranged with your college/university.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, transcript, and two letters of academic reference to internships@thewalters.org by July 15th, 2013. Some internship positions require additional materials, please see below. Please indicate your first and second choice of internship in your cover letter.
Fall Internships
Conservation
Conservation Cataloguing & Digital Media Intern
This internship will assist in the electronic cataloging of conservation records associated with the examination and treatment of museum objects. Under the supervision of the Conservation Division Assistant and the Database Administrator, and in conjunction with the Conservators, this intern will: 1) retrieve digitized material, 2) review for quality control, 3) catalog into the conservation documentation management system, 4) prepare electronic conservation records for online publishing, and 5) label and re-house source material. Additional projects may be assigned.
Experience with library or museum database applications, research skills, knowledge of digital imaging and proficiency with Windows computers required. Experience with library science or related information practices preferred. This internship requires the ability to work independently at a computer for hours at a time, the ability to keep information organized, excellent communication and problem solving skills and willingness to ask questions. Knowledge of art history and art materials and techniques preferred.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Library/Archival Science, Digital Imaging/Photography, Fine Arts, Conservation Science or Art History (if other digital imaging skills are present)
Conservation Digitization & Digital Media Intern
This internship will assist in the digitization and cataloging of conservation records associated with the examination and treatment of museum objects. Under the supervision of the Conservation Division Assistant and the Database Administrator, and in conjunction with the Conservators, this intern will: 1) scan documentation, 2)label and re-house material according to archival demands, 3)catalog digitized material in the digital asset management system, and 4) process related digital media in Photoshop or other digital image editing software.
Experience with digital imaging, photo editing software (i.e. Photoshop), and proficiency with Windows computers required. Experience with metadata (XMP, Dublin Core, IPTC) preferred. This internship requires the ability to work independently, the ability to keep information organized, excellent communication and problem solving skills and willingness to ask questions. Knowledge of art history and art materials and techniques preferred.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Digital Imaging/Photography, Fine Arts, Library/Archival Science, Conservation Science or Art History (if other digital imaging skills are present)
Curatorial
Graduate Curatorial Intern in Ancient Art
This intern will perform research and assist with projects related to the Walters’ renowned collection of art from the ancient Near East. The intern will contribute the Museum’s scholarly resources for the study of ancient Near Eastern art through research on Walters’ objects. The products of this research will find their place within the permanent installation, curatorial research files, and online. In addition to this art historical research, the intern will also assist with events held in conjunction with the exhibition “Egypt’s Mysterious Book of the Faiyum.”
Experience as a volunteer or staff member in a museum is preferred.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Near Eastern Studies
Applicant should be currently enrolled within a PhD program in Near Eastern Studies or the History of Art.
Islamic Department and Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books Intern
The intern for Islamic Department and Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books will work on international loan exhibition “Pearls on a String: Art and Biography in the Islamic World”. The intern should be able to commit at least 16 hours per week. S/he will be involved in a variety of tasks related to the development and implementation of the exhibition, including research, organization of research materials, overseeing an object list, and communication with museum lenders and co-authors of exhibition catalogue.
Experience with Microsoft Office suite required. Knowledge of Arabic, Turkish or Persian an advantage but not necessary.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Art History, Studio Arts, History, Middle Eastern Studies
Development
Development Intern
This internship will focus on research and support the Walters Art museum’s fundraising efforts. This intern will also assist with database entry. This position will also provide general support to the Development department as needed.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required. Must be detail oriented, organized and have good writing skills. Knowledge of Blackbaud’s Raisers Edge a plus. This individual should also have a good sense of teamwork.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Any
In addition to the standard application materials, please provide one writing sample.
Special Events Intern
This internship will assist with preparation for the Museum’s Annual Gala and Special Events. This intern will also conduct research for event needs and event preparations and assist with some database entry. This position will also provide general support to the Development department as needed.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required. Must be detail oriented, organized and have good writing skills. Knowledge of Blackbaud’s Raisers Edge a plus. This individual should also have a good sense of teamwork.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Any
In addition to the standard application materials, please provide one writing sample.
Education
Family Programs Intern
The Family Programs Intern will work as part of the Family & Community Programs Department to assist the Head of Family & Community Programs and Sr. Education Coordinators on upcoming programming and interpretation for families. The Family Programs Intern will assist with the planning and implementation of the upcoming family festival related to the special exhibition, Egypt’s Mysterious Book of the Faiyum, as well as the annual Monument Lighting Family Festival, MLK Jr. Family Festival, and African American Family Festival. The intern may take on additional tasks determined to meet the educational goals of both the intern and family audiences at the museum.
Fine arts studio experience required, demonstrating an understanding of various art materials and techniques. Hands-on art education experience, in formal or informal education environments preferred. Museum experience desired. This intern should have strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to write for a multi-generational audience and create lesson plans. Strong organizational and time management skills required. Must be able to work independently and be a team player. Must have an interest in creating accessible and engaging museum programs for children and their families.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Fine Arts, Art History, Museum Studies, Museum Education, Art Education
In addition to the standard application materials, please provide two writing samples.
Family Programs Marketing & Social Media Intern
The Education Department Social Media Intern will support the museum's growing online social media footprint by using creative problem solving to translate what the family programs department offers in our galleries and studios into digital online content. The intern will be responsible for transferring content created within the education departments onto multiple social media platforms, researching and assisting in online content development and assisting with tracking social media analytics. The intern will gain valuable experience working in a non-profit museum within multiple departments and acquire hands on skills related to creating and sustaining an online social audience through using 21st century learning to foster personal learning environments. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in non-profit, educational arts based media programming. Interns will acquire hands on experience and work cross-departmentally to bring together a museum-wide vision.
This internship requires commitment to and enthusiasm for the mission of The Walters Art Museum and interest in designing online content for children and families. Experience managing blogs and fluency in HTML preferred. This interns should have a background in teaching and art making and knowledge, interest of social media practices in non-profits and the arts, and be familiar with current social trends & social sites including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Flickr. Youtube, Instagram, Hootsuite, Tumblr and Wordpress. Familiarity with web analytics and ability to record and analyze metric data preferred. Applicants should have proficiency using computers, MS Office Suite, Adobe Suite and FinalCut, as well as strong communication, writing and time management skills, and be organized, detail-oriented, a self-starter with the ability to multitask. Must have the ability to think creatively and come up with resourceful ideas and solutions using new technology, and a strong design sense.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Communications, Marketing, Museum Studies, Public Relations, Art Education
In addition to the standard application materials, please provide two writing samples.
Public Programs Marketing & Social Media Intern
The Education Department’s Public Programs Marketing and Social Media Intern will be responsible for supporting the museum's diverse offering of free public programming for adults (including lectures, concerts, classes, etc.) through online and “grassroots” flyer-distribution efforts. This position will report to both the Coordinator of Public Programs and the Manager of Web and Social Media in order to develop and implement a comprehensive marketing effort aimed to raise awareness of Walters’ programming and translate that awareness into increased audience and community engagement.
This internship requires commitment to and enthusiasm for the mission of The Walters Art Museum, knowledge and/or interest of social media practices in non-profits and the arts, and familiarity with current social trends & social media sites, particularly where events promotions are concerned. Fluency in HTML is a plus. Applicants should have strong communication, writing and time management skills and be organized, detail-oriented, a self-starter with the ability to multitask. Must have the ability to think creatively and come up with resourceful ideas and solutions.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business or Political Science
In addition to the standard application materials, please provide two writing samples.
Information Technology
Digital Imaging Assistant
This internship will support the Walters Art Museum Information Technology department by helping to digitize our exhibition history by scanning Black and white photos and slides of exhibition installations and entering relevant data.
This intern should have experience scanning, as well as dexterity with Adobe Creative Suite.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Fine Arts, Design, Library/Archival Science
Photo Services Intern
This internship will support the Walters Art Museum Information Technology department by helping with office duties, filing, scanning and organization associated with Rights and Reproduction.
This intern should have experience scanning, as well as dexterity with Adobe Creative Suite.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Fine Arts, Design, Library/Archival Science
Library and Archives
Archives Intern: Henry Walter’s Library Project
This internship will provide support to the Walters Art Museum’s library and archives, a rich art historical research collection that includes monographs, serials, exhibition catalogs, auction and dealer catalogs, databases, and special collections and archival materials. The Archives intern will contribute to an ongoing project to identify, locate, and document materials currently held as part of the main library collection that may have formerly belonged to Henry Walters, spanning ca. 1870 to ca. 1910. It is hoped that a better sense of these holdings will allow for a greater understanding of Henry’s insights and motives and when forming his art collection. Duties include shelf reading according to provided archival criteria and logging bibliographic, content, and condition details.
Previous experience working in a library or archives is desired. Candidates should posses a keen attention to detail, accurate data entry skills, and an avid interest in library and archival research. The ability to decipher old handwriting and language skills in French, Italian, and/or German a plus.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Library/Archival Science, Museum Studies, Art History, Humanities
Library Intern
This internship will provide support to the Walters Art Museum’s library and archives, a rich art historical research collection that includes monographs, serials, exhibition catalogs, auction and dealer catalogs, databases, and special collections and archival materials. The Library intern will carry out general library work, including materials check-in/out, re-shelving, paging items, reading room monitoring, and providing reference assistance to curators. Additionally, the intern will work with the Librarian on several special projects in the areas of appraisal and collection development and management. This internship is an excellent opportunity for those considering art librarianship as a potential career path.
Previous experience working in a library or archives is desired. Candidates should posses a keen attention to detail, accurate data entry skills, and an avid interest in library and archival research. The ability to decipher old handwriting and language skills in French, Italian, and/or German a plus.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Library/Archival Science, Museum Studies, Art History, Humanities
Marketing
Wikipedia Content Intern
This internship primarily involves creating and editing content on Wikipedia. Over the course of the internship, working part time, the intern will create articles about artworks held by the Walters and will add to existing Wikipedia articles, by including images from the Walters collection. The intern will also be expected to operate within Wikipedia’s guidelines and to become conversant with its community of users.
This internship focuses on a skill set critical to contemporary museum professionals: proficiency in producing digital content, online marketing, and general technical aptitude with Internet applications. Experience creating and editing Wikipedia articles is strongly preferred.
Preferred Major or Areas of Study: Communications, Social Sciences, History, English or Art History
In addition to the standard application materials, please provide two writing samples.
Teaching Internships
Teaching Interns for the School Programs Department commit to the entire school year from September to June. Please e-mail schoolprograms@thewalters.org for application materials for the Gallery and Studio Teaching Internships. Credit can be arranged with your college/university.
Gallery Teaching Internship
The School Programs Department seeks undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in gaining practical teaching experience in a museum setting to lead interactive and interdisciplinary tours for K-12 students. Successful candidates are enthusiastic, motivated, resourceful, and dependable. They should have some knowledge or experience in teaching, museum education, art history and/or studio practices. Training takes place on Wednesdays from 1-5 p.m. from September 11 to October 16 and covers learning theory, teaching techniques, and the Walters’ collection to provide interns with the skills to develop and lead tours. Following training, interns will select one or two days per week to lead tours and must commit to the program from September to June.
Studio Teaching Internship
The School Programs Department seeks undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in gaining practical teaching experience in a museum setting to lead interactive and interdisciplinary studio art classes for K-12 students. Successful candidates are enthusiastic, motivated, resourceful, and dependable. They should have some knowledge or experience in teaching, museum education, art history and/or studio practices. Interns will select one or two days per week to lead studios and must commit to the program from September to June.