Collections Intern
Background
The Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM), a museum of visual art and culture, serves the University and its region as a resource and laboratory for the study, interpretation, and presentation of the visual arts and the dissemination of artistic scholarly research.
Since 1994, the visiting artist series has brought innovative contemporary projects to Memphis. Artists from the Mid-South, New York, Chicago, Great Britain, Germany, The Czech Republic, and Russia have designed site-based installations that include community and student participation. Egyptian antiquities and African art are exhibited in galleries dedicated to these collections.
Students and scholars work with art, objects and archival materials from our diverse collections researching individual works and developing exhibitions. The 19th century to present-day print/drawing collection includes several strengths: the work of Samuel H. Crone, Carroll Cloar's lithographs, Épinal prints depicting Napoleon Bonaparte's life, Beth Van Hoesen's preparatory drawings and prints, and Andy Warhol's polaroids, prints and silk screens.
Collections Intern Overview
AMUM seeks a college student (either junior or senior) pursuing a career in museums or a related field to serve as a collections intern.
The Collections intern will learn the basics of handling ancient artifacts, producing condition reports and assessments, object photography, working with museum catalog software, and preparing objects for display. The intern will also work with the curator to help design public programming and educational outreach materials for a diverse group of audiences.
Responsibilities
The Collections Intern will work under the guidance of the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology's curator Dr. Darcy Hackley, who is responsible for overseeing AMUM's ancient Egyptian Gallery and collection. The intern will:
- Assist the curator in inventorying the University's collection of Egyptian objects and preparing new exhibits components and attributing educational materials in support of the Egyptian gallery.
- Learn the basics of handling ancient artifacts, producing condition reports and assessments, object photography, working with museum catalog software, and preparing objects for display.
- Work with the curator to help design public programming and educational outreach materials for a diverse group of audiences.
Requirements, Skills, and Qualifications
The intern must demonstrate a genuine interest in working within a museum and should possess the following skillset:
- The ability to adjust to changing circumstances and solve any problems that arise
- The ability to manage their time successfully and effectively
- Excellent communication skills to exchange information and ideas effectively to fellow staff members
- Equally capable of working with fellow museum staff or independently
- Creativity and the ability to create new ideas and solutions
- Adept in using the Microsoft Office Suite
- Able to lift up to 25 lbs.
- Any additional experience in using social media platforms and basic graphic design programs is a plus.
- The University of Memphis requires all employees to successfully complete a criminal background check.
Compensation
$20.00 per hour
INTERNS WILL WORK 28 HOURS PER WEEK ONSITE AND ATTEND A MANDATORY OFFSITE PROGRAM DAY ONE DAY PER WEEK WITH THEIR COHORT.
Internship Period: June 13 – August 15
Total Weeks: 9 weeks
Work Hours per Week: 28
Total Hours: 252
Workdays: 4 days per week onsite, Monday–Thursday,
PROGRAM DAY:
On Fridays, interns will attend an offsite program day with their cohort.
These hours are separate from the internship hours.
How to Apply:
This internship is through the Studio Institute Arts Intern program.
You must first apply to Arts Intern to be eligible for this internship. Once your application has been approved, we will provide you with the next steps to apply for the Collections Intern position at the Art Museum of the University of Memphis.
Eligibility Criteria:
Please watch our information video below to ensure you are eligible to apply for Arts Intern.
Student Info Session- Arts Intern Summer 2025
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Arts Intern Summer 2025 - Memphis
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