Visual Art Curatorial Research Internship

NOTE: Applications submitted through Handshake will NOT be considered.

Desired Majors and Areas of Study: History of Art or Photography, African American Studies, Museum Studies, or American Studies

The Office of Curatorial Affairs (OCA) facilitates the intellectual work of the Museum by collecting artifacts, ensuring collection preservation and stewardship, conducting research and scholarship, and sharing the rich history and culture of African Americans and all people of African descent with a diverse public in accessible, multifaceted ways including exhibition, digitization, and publication. The Visual Arts division of OCA collects and preserves original works of visual art created by African American artists and/or interpreting African American life.

The Visual Art Curatorial Research Intern will support two crucial functions of the Visual Arts department: research and collecting. They will become familiar with online and library research resources available to SI staff, conduct research on visual art objects in the collection, learn how to gather internal object reviews of incoming acquisitions, and visit the NMAAHC storage facility to observe and conduct a curatorial review of incoming acquisitions under the supervision of curatorial staff. The intern will hone their art historical research skills while becoming familiar with the Museum’s collection of artworks. This will involve both object-based and thematic research. They will also gain an understanding of the Museum’s visual art acquisition process, from contact with donors, galleries, and artists to approval by the Collections Committee. The intern will also interact with colleagues from various departments of the Museum gaining exposure to other career fields. The Visual Art Curatorial Research Intern’s major projects will include contributing to an object or collection feature for the NMAAHC website (Searchable Museum or Collection Story) and collaborating with curators toward the successful acquisition of an artwork or collection. Applicants should include a sample of research-based writing.

Duties Include (but are not limited to):

• Access online and in person SI library research resources
• Compile research on an art object/collection already in the collection and/or being considered for acquisition
• Communicate with colleagues in conservation and publications departments regarding reviews of incoming acquisitions
• Coordinate with curatorial staff and collections management colleagues to visit the NMAAHC storage facility 
• Collaborate with curatorial colleagues to develop a Collection Story or Searchable Museum feature
• Attend Visual Art and OCA department meetings