McDermott Intern for Indigenous American Art

Position: McDermott Intern for Indigenous American Art 

Reports to:  The Ellen and Harry S. Parker III Associate Curator of Indigenous American Art 

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly 

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid holiday, personal and sick time; $500 for professional development 

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch; ability to work remotely 2 days per week following 90-day introductory period 

Internship Period: September 1, 2026 – May 28, 2027 

Salary: $15/hour, 35 hours per week  

Mission 

The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive. 

The DMA will: 

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate. 
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art. 
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity. 

Scope of Position: 

The intern's primary responsibility will be to serve as a research assistant for the Indigenous American Art collection. Responsibilities may include updating the collection database, drafting didactic texts for use in galleries and online, and compiling documentation on works in the Museum’s permanent collection. The intern will also assist with tasks related to NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) as well as a forthcoming exhibition offering an innovative exploration of ancient through contemporary visual culture pertaining to the lives of Maya women. Exhibition-related work may include object research, literature reviews, exhibition development, and/or contributions to fundraising proposals. The intern will support curatorial projects by attending interdepartmental meetings and working collaboratively with staff across the Museum as needed. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Support ongoing research and documentation of the Dallas Museum of Art’s collection of Indigenous American art. 
• Conduct research utilizing a multitude of resources, including object files and the Museum's Mayer Library. 
• Navigate online collections database to clean up object records and perform data entry.  
• Contribute to the implementation and development of gallery rotations, exhibitions, NAGPRA. 
• Attend regular one-on-one, departmental, and inter-departmental team meetings. 
• Support other curatorial tasks under the supervision of the curator as needed. 

Internship Goals: 

• Learn art historical object-based research skills and collections management including the use of TMS collections management software . 
• Develop a framework for understanding Indigenous culture in general and Maya culture and visual arts specifically. 
• Build awareness of ways museums can expand representation through exhibitions. 
• Gain experience with writing in a museum context, including exhibition didactic texts, labels, web content, and/or acquisition proposals 
• Understand the museum exhibition process. 
• Ascertain professional goals and interests through the support of mentorship. 
• Develop professional communication and interpersonal skills through collaboration with Museum colleagues. 
• Understand the roles and functions of different staff within the Museum as well as the relationship between the departments and how they all function together to comprise the organization. 

Requirements 

Education, Experience, and Certification: 

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in art history, anthropology, archaeology, Indigenous studies or related field prior to the start of the internship; graduate work encouraged. 
• Knowledge or academic coursework related to Native American, Mesoamerican, or Andean arts and cultures preferred. 
• Prior TMS collections management software experience encouraged 

Key Qualifications: 

Demonstrated research and writing skills 

Application Directions 

Please see DMA application portal for application directions.

Our Core Values 

• Act with Integrity: We are honest and ethical. 
• Build Inclusivity: We create spaces where everyone can feel like they belong. 
• Communicate Respectfully: We listen intentionally and advocate for diverse perspectives. 
• Embrace and Drive Change: We are innovative, creative, and solutions driven. 
• Foster Connections: We collaborate around shared goals. 
• Maintain Balance: We encourage ourselves and each other to reflect and recharge. 
• Remain Curious: We pursue personal and professional learning. 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 

Equity 

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all. 

Diversity 

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity. 

Inclusion 

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture. 

EOE 

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.