Curatorial Department Intern

Job Description

About The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) offers a 12-month internship program designed for recent college graduates interested in pursuing a career in the museum field. This full-time, paid internship provides a comprehensive experience with focused departmental training, exposure to modern and contemporary art through lectures and seminars, and the opportunity to conduct research trips related to the intern’s field of interest.

Curatorial Department Internship

Curatorial Department Interns become part of a larger cohort of interns from various MoMA departments. The program provides hands-on training in specific museum fields through close collaboration with professional staff members. Interns will gain familiarity with modern and contemporary art through seminars and discussions, while also participating in an educational program that exposes them to the overall workings of the museum and its role in the broader cultural context.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with exhibition and collection research.
• Process collection documentation or curatorial files.
• Contribute to archiving tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Demonstrated experience and interest in research and writing within Art History or a similar discipline.
• Confident, organized, articulate, and professional.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and basic functions in Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented, conscientious, and able to multitask.

Placement:

• Interns are placed in different curatorial departments based on need, areas of interest, and experience.
• Applicants can list their preferences during the application process, but placement may be in a different department than their first choice.
• Participating Departments:
• Archives, Libraries, and Research Collections
• Film
• Painting & Sculpture (Master’s Degree is preferred)
• Photography
• Publications

Program Details:

• Duration: Approximately October 2024 to September 2025.
• Commitment: Full-time (Monday-Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm).
• Eligibility: Recent graduates of bachelor’s or master’s degree programs. The Museum encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines to apply. International candidates are eligible to apply.
• Stipend: $42,000 stipend (gross), subject to applicable tax withholdings. Health benefits, two weeks paid vacation, and an additional $2,000 to cover travel expenses for an approved research trip related to the intern’s field of interest.

Application Process:

• Application Deadline: Priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by August 12, 2024. Additional applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as vacancies become available.
• Requirements:
• Résumé/curriculum vitae in PDF format.
• At least 1 letter of recommendation in PDF format, directly uploaded to the application.
• Transcript in PDF format, directly uploaded to the application (unofficial transcripts are accepted).
• Essay in PDF format, no longer than 650 words, addressing the following prompt:
• Why are you interested in participating in an internship at The Museum of Modern Art? In response, be sure to address both:
• The role of museums and how you envision their potential for evolution.
• Individual or an experience that has influenced your perception of the arts.

To Apply:

• Submit your application through MoMA’s UKG Recruiting Portal.
• For any questions or concerns regarding your application, please reach out to [email protected].