Internships

Description

The Curatorial Department at MMFA is responsible for the professional care and interpretation of art in the Museum’s permanent collection. Curators do research into the works of art the Museum owns, and registrars maintain this research along with all other documentation of collections objects. The Museum’s curators also take responsibility for conceiving temporary exhibitions of works of art on loan designed to expand the community’s access to and understanding of art of different cultures and time periods. The Museum’s preparators and registrars work to design installations of art, and to insure its safety during the installation process and when it is packed for shipping or for storage.

Essential Functions

Curatorial interns will be a part of this team:

• Seek out and research works of art from the Museum’s permanent collection
  • Create exhibitions using art from the Museum’s collection.
  • Design the installations and prepare information about art for the public.
  • Research and document objects in the permanent collection. Registrars maintain research in the database that holds such information and in files devoted to individual artists.
    
    
• Curators create proposals for temporary exhibitions to be organized by the Museum
  • Identify art and artists who may be included in temporary exhibitions
  • Create supportive material
    
    
• Catalogue and maintain institutional archival materials and maintain the Museum’s art reference library.
  
  
• Past projects have included research and writing to create documentation on artists and artworks in the collection; condition reporting, creating an inventory of exhibition catalogues, researching artists for upcoming exhibitions, and designing and creating print and digital exhibition promotional materials.

Who Should Apply

• Applicants with an interest in humanities discipline, particularly art, art history, or museum studies.

Description

The Learning + Programs Department leads museum visitors in engaging learning experiences in both formal and informal settings. We create and facilitate curriculum-based school programs, visitor tours, studio classes, artmaking activities, and much more daily. Past intern projects have included: designing coloring pages; creating lessons for our home studio series; planning activities and promotions for the Art After 5 programs; working with Curatorial to develop and create exhibition interactives; assisting with the Student Art Collection; and developing activities for the annual Flimp Festival or Fall Festival. Interns in this department can expect an average of 20 hours per week.

Essential Functions

• Content development
  • Design both in-person for project specific themes and audiences with staff.
  • Input education, engagement, and curatorial content into web-based platform.
    
    
• Lead and Assist
  • Instruct studio, curriculum-based, and/or collection-based classes and experiences.
  • Assist with large scale education events and/or studio experiences.

Who Should Apply

• Applicants with a background in Art History, Museum Studies, Education, Visual Culture, or a related humanities discipline.

Description

The Operations Department supports the museum’s day-to-day functionality and long-term sustainability by overseeing facilities, security, information technology, administrative processes, and event coordination. This department ensures that the museum operates efficiently, safely, and in alignment with City policies and procedures.

The Museum Operations Internship provides hands-on experience in the internal functions that support a public-facing cultural institution. Interns will gain exposure to multiple areas of operations, including facilities coordination, security support, administrative processes, and event logistics.

Past and ongoing projects may include: assisting with event planning and coordination using event files and scheduling systems; supporting facilities and building-related projects; observing and documenting operational workflows; assisting with administrative tracking and reporting; supporting inventory and equipment organization; and contributing to cross-departmental coordination efforts. Interns may also assist in preparing materials, tracking event needs, and ensuring internal processes are documented and followed.

Interns in this department can expect an average of 15–20 hours per week.

Essential Functions

• Operations Support + Coordination
  • Assist with planning and coordinating internal and public-facing events using event files, schedules, and departmental procedures to help ensure requirements are met.
  • Support administrative and operational processes by maintaining records, tracking activities, and assisting with documentation using department systems and tools.
  • Observe and assist with facilities-related needs, including basic coordination of building use, equipment, and work requests.
  • Provide general support across Operations functions, including Facilities, Security, and IT, as appropriate.
    
    
• Administrative + Systems Support
  • Perform administrative duties using department forms, reference materials, and computer systems to support daily operations and public service needs.
  • Assist in organizing files, maintaining records, and preparing reports or summaries related to departmental activities.
  • Support inventory tracking and organization of supplies, equipment, and materials.
    
    
• Event + Staff Support
  • Assist with event setup, coordination, and breakdown to support successful program and event delivery.
  • Provide support to temporary or contract workers during events or projects, helping ensure tasks are completed efficiently and in alignment with established procedure.
  • Collaborate with staff across departments to support coordinated and efficient operations.

Who Should Apply

• Applicants with a background or interest in Business Administration, Public Administration, Event Management, Hospitality, Museum Studies, or a related field.
• Individuals interested in learning how internal operations support a museum’s public-facing work.
• Candidates who are organized, detail-oriented, and interested in administrative, logistical, or systems-based work.

Supplemental Application Materials

Writing sample (one page or more) describing your interest in museum operations, any relevant experience, and your goals for the internship.

Description

The Communications Department oversees the Museum’s brand, marketing, public relations, and digital presence as well as its burgeoning visitors’ experience practice. The communications intern will provide support to the department’s daily operations and strategic planning initiatives.

Essential Functions

Brand

• Design posters and layout content for digital displays

Marketing

• Assist with planning and implementing the marketing strategy

Public Relations

• Research and update press outlets and media contacts
• Compose and edit communication materials

Digital

• Create and schedule original social media content
• Craft captivating email newsletters
• Assist in managing website content
• Perform website tag and meta description optimizations

Visitor Experience

• Support front desk operations
• Review visitor data and make recommendations

Supplemental Application Materials

• Writing sample (academic paper or communications content created at another job/internship)
• Design sample (schoolwork or communications content created at another job/internship)
• Sample social media posts (at least five) using content from MMFA website

Description

The MMFA’s Community Engagement team actively grows audiences and ensures that we are fulfilling diverse interests by offering a rich variety of adult programs that invite engagement with and connection to art and artists, and give participants opportunities for interpretation through individual reflection and/or creation. A sampling of programmatic content includes: studio workshops, artist talks, wellness activities, art critiques, reading group discussions, Museum Shop artist features, and more. The Community Engagement intern aids behind-the-scenes functions that facilitate programs and continue to attract new audiences, and the intern is given opportunities to lead programs and/or develop programmatic content. 

Essential Functions

• Monitor, assist with, and sometimes lead Community Engagement programs. 
• Support day-to-day operations to ensure programs run smoothly
• Assist with Museum Shop changeouts 
• Intern project: A research-based project that will result in one of the following, per semester:
  • Develop a new program concept
  • Re-develop an existing program to better meet audience needs
  • Develop and lead a studio workshop

Who Should Apply

• Applicants with a background in Art History, History, Museum Studies, Education, Event Management, Visual Culture, or a related humanities discipline.

Supplemental Application Materials

• Short writing sample (150-300 words) defining community engagement in your own words and describing why it is an important function for a museum.