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McMullan Arts Leadership, Modern & Contemporary Art (Summer 2021)

The Department of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Art Institute of Chicago invites current graduate students, undergraduate students, and/or recent graduates to apply for the Summer 2021 McMullan Arts Leadership Internship.
In this role, you will become deeply immersed in the collection of International Modern art, lending support to upcoming collection rotations and contributing to the development of exhibitions on Salvador Dalí (opening 2023) as well as a focused presentation on the work of Remedios Varo.
Working within a team of museum professionals and supervised by Caitlin Haskell, Gary C. and Frances Comer Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, you will become immersed the day-to-day life of a curatorial department with an extraordinary collection of 20th Century painting and sculpture from Europe and the Americas. In addition to supporting the work of the curator, you will also be invited to conduct supervised research on the museum’s holdings of Salvador Dalí and gain first-hand experience in the organization of exhibitions. Through these activities you will be introduced to the multifaceted career of a museum curator.
INTERNSHIP OUTCOMES
  • In-depth experience with collection-based research
  • First-hand experience planning for the display of permanent collection artworks
  • Deeper understanding of the origin and development of loans exhibitions
  • Mentor relationships with field practitioners
  • Peer-to-peer relationships with fellow interns
  • Awareness of the inner-workings of a large museum with a global collection
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Using museum and library resources, conduct research on artworks in the Art Institute’s collection as well as artworks that are candidates to request for loan
  • Assist with the writing of exhibition didactics and loan letters
  • Communicate with curatorial, library, and registration staff across the museum to plan for upcoming rotations, focus shows, and exhibitions
  • Work with colleagues in the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art to facilitate the research of collection artworks
About the McMullan Arts Leadership Internship:
The McMullan Arts Leadership Internship program is part of a museum-wide effort to provide students from diverse backgrounds, including those underrepresented in the museum field, the opportunity to gain experience, career awareness, networks, and skills that will together position them to succeed as future art museum leaders. Those selected join an intern cohort and have access to a range of programs to support their development in addition to their specific departmetal placement. Mentorship is provided throughout the intern experience. Interns are also encouraged to remain connected to the museum and to other interns as part of an alumni network.




Qualifications

  • Graduate or undergraduate student (upper-level preferred); recent graduates (within one year of graduation) with relevant experience will also be considered
  • Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in one or more of the following areas: Art History, Visual Arts, Library Science, and/or Cultural Studies
  • Enthusiasm and curiosity for the discipline of art history in the modern and contemporary periods
  • The flexibility to tackle a range of activities whether working with physical or digital materials
  • The desire to take part in a team comprised of members with skills in different areas
  • Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and tact
  • Committed to the goal of promoting inclusive, pluralistic museums
  • Passion for storytelling and good editorial skills
  • Great appreciation of teamwork
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Familiarity with Google Suite
APPLICATION:
Application must include the following materials:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter that also includes answers to the following questions: What you hope to gain from this internship experience
  • What you will contribute to this internship
  • What challenge(s) or barrier(s) you face (personal, cultural, socioeconomic, educational, etc.) as you consider pursuing a career in the arts, and how this internship might play a role in helping to surmount those obstacles
  • List of relevant coursework
To apply: Visit artic.edu/careers to find the job posting and apply online. Upload all materials into one pdf document. The application will close on April 15, 2021 at 10:00 PM CDT. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so early application is suggested. Selected applicants will be asked to interview via video call.

***Please view the full posting and apply on our website for full consideration: www.artic.edu/careers***


The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace.