Curatorial and Community Engagement Intern
Background
The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia is to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity. Its vision is to build an enlightened community devoted to lifelong learning.
Curatorial and Community Engagement Intern Overview
We seek an enthusiastic and dedicated intern to work closely with the exhibition Curator and community partners. This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to developing and operating multidisciplinary exhibits that connect lived experiences to public library resources and services.
The Curatorial and Community Engagement Intern in this position will:
- Gain hands-on experience in exhibition development and curatorial practices.
- Have the opportunity to work within one of the largest public library systems in the country.
- Develop a professional portfolio through a creative final project that reflects your research and experiences.
Responsibilities
- Assist in developing and operating exhibit components for various multidisciplinary exhibits set to open in Fall 2025.
- Support ongoing operations related to existing exhibits, ensuring a scaffolded approach that promotes accessibility and engagement.
- Collaborate on a case study on a community exhibit at Philadelphia's Parkway Central Library, utilizing memory work and interactive research methods.
- Engage in community conversations and collaborative creative practices while working with archival materials from personal and institutional collections.
- Contribute to the final project, which may be a photo report, visual story, zine, or white paper, exploring the iterative process of exhibitions in public settings.
Requirements, Skills, and Qualifications
- Strong interest in curatorial practices, community engagement, and public programming.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively.
- Creative thinking and a passion for connecting cultural and collective memories through community collaboration.
- Familiarity with research methods and a desire to explore innovative exhibition formats.
- Knowledge of Google Drive and related applications; familiarity with Canva or other basic design applications
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a resume and a brief cover letter outlining their interest in the position and relevant experience. Join us this summer to help create meaningful exhibits that celebrate community stories and foster cultural connections!
Compensation
$20.00 per hour
INTERNS WILL WORK 28 HOURS PER WEEK AND ATTEND A MANDATORY OFFSITE PROGRAM DAY ONE DAY PER WEEK WITH THEIR COHORT.
Internship Period: June 11 – August 13
Total Weeks: 9 weeks
Work Hours per Week: 28
Total Hours: 252
Workdays: 4 days per week onsite; 9AM–5PM
PROGRAM DAY:
On Wednesdays, 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 Curatorial and Community Engagement Intern position at the Free Library of Philadelphia.
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
Submit Your Application Here:
Arts Intern Summer 2025 - Philadelphia
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