Johnson Publishing Archival Intern

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Johnson Publishing Archival Internship

Part-Time Hybrid Internship

$425/week

September 21 – December 18, 2026

Desired Majors and Areas of Study: Library and Information Science; Museum Studies and Art History applicants with experience if Public History will be considered

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) archival collections reside within the Office of Collections Management (OCM) which is responsible for the physical care and long-term preservation of the museum’s collections. Since its formal establishment in 2015, the NMAAHC Archives has rapidly expanded its holdings, acquiring materials of national and cultural significance. Some of these collections were originally integrated with museum objects and later identified as essential resources for exhibitions, public programming, and scholarly research. Archival material is defined as collected information that has proven to be resistant to deterioration over time while retaining its content and value. These types of materials include (but are not limited to): reports, dairies, books, ledgers, photos, maps, etc. The NMAAHC archival collections are designated by the NMAAHC Archivist or in consultation with the archivist prior to the acquisition process. In some cases, previously accessioned collection items catalogued individually can be re-evaluated and re-classifed as archival collections by the archivist or in consultation with the curator of record.

This internship supports the Johnson Publishing Company Archive (JPCA), one of the most significant archives of African American visual culture in the United States. The collection includes materials from Ebony, Jet, and related publications documenting African American life, achievement, politics, style, and culture from the 1940s to the present.

The Johnson Publishing Archival Intern will receive guided training and practical experience in archival cataloging, serials description, metadata review, and digitization preparation. This internship is designed to provide meaningful learning opportunities in museums and archival careers while supporting public access to an important cultural collection. The intern will contribute to a cataloging project for the JPCA. The main goal of the project is to catalog magazines at the item level, create container instances, verify existing metadata, and prepare materials for digitization.

The Johnson Publishing Archival Intern will apply foundational archival processing skills by working within an established hierarchical structure, linking physical materials to digital records, and generating barcodes for bound volumes and individual issues. Interns may also participate in a peer quality control process, reviewing colleagues' work to ensure accuracy and consistency across the collection. The intern should have an interest in archives, cultural heritage preservation, and African American history. Familiarity with archival standards and database systems is a plus but not required. Tools being used: ArchivesSpace, Airtable, archival housing supplies. By the end of the internship, the intern will learn to:

• Describe the role of archives within a museum collections environment
• Apply foundational principles of archival description and serials cataloging
• Create and edit item-level records in archival database systems.
• Verify metadata for accuracy and consistency
• Demonstrate proper handling and housing of archival materials
• Explain how digitization workflows support access and preservation
• Collaborate professionally through meetings, peer review, and project reporting

The intern can anticipate gaining:

• Foundational archival processing skills by working within an established hierarchical structure, linking physical materials to digital records, and generating barcodes for bound volumes and individual issues
• Experience in many facets of authority work related to individuals associated with photographs from Ebony and Jet, the two most prominent JPC magazines
• Exposure to individuals identified in the JPC Archive represent the full spectrum of society and a wide range of professions, in addition to Civil Rights activists and Hollywood celebrities who are household names

Duties Include (but are not limited to):

• Catalog magazine issues and bound volumes from Ebony, Jet, and related titles.
• Create container records and barcode identifiers.
• Verify dates, issue numbers, titles, and descriptive metadata.
• Rehouse materials using archival supplies as needed.
• Participate in peer quality control review.
• Track progress using spreadsheets or project management tools.
• Attend supervisory check-ins and departmental meetings.
• Complete a final reflection or presentation on internship learning outcomes.