Summer 2023 Call for Applications
Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply for one of the following eight-week summer internships at the Princeton University Art Museum.
- Summer Internship at the Princeton University Art Museum
- Museum Voices Internship at the Princeton University Art Museum
Summer Internships at the Princeton University Art Museum
Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply for an eight-week summer internship at the Princeton University Art Museum. The 2023 summer internship program will run from Monday, June 5 to Friday, July 28. Undergraduate students enrolled in any accredited college or university program, and graduate students enrolled in any accredited post-baccalaureate program are eligible to apply. Princeton University students are given priority.
Interns have the opportunity to work in one of several departments, including: curatorial, education, development, information technology, marketing, collections services, publications, or retail and wholesale operations. Based on the available internship positions listed below, summer applicants should select ONE internship in their application; however, the Museum cannot guarantee that applicants will be offered a position in their preferred department.
Interns are selected on the basis of their experience, academic training, and the needs of the Museum department. Collections information research will be part of most interns’ experience. To learn about past summer internship projects, please watch our summer internship video series “Interns at Work.”
Summer 2023 projects:
African Art: DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 20
The intern will conduct in-depth provenance research on a small selection of works in the African art collection and will consult with the Assistant Curator of African Art on methods for sharing the process behind provenance research to museum audiences. Advanced graduate student with knowledge of historical African art and experience with provenance research strongly preferred.
Ancient Art- two positions:
Position 1: The intern will work with the curator to research provenance on works in the collections and provide research assistance for upcoming exhibitions and projects. Research skills are necessary, and a background in Greek and Roman art and knowledge of ancient Greek or Latin are preferred.
Position 2: The intern will work with the curator, collections associate, and the collections information specialist on researching and cataloguing the archaeological material from the excavations at Antioch-on-the-Orontes, located in modern Antakya, Turkey. A background in classical archaeology is preferred.
Art of the Ancient Americas:
The intern will revise and edit label information for the new building’s galleries in the Museum’s collections management system.
Asian Art:
The intern will work with curators to research provenance on works in the collections and provide research assistance for upcoming exhibitions and projects. Knowledge of an Asian language strongly preferred.
Campus Art:
The intern will contribute to research and development of content for the Campus Art collection’s digital presence and will also work independently to catalogue and maintain archival documents related to the Campus Art collection. Experience and/or an interest in public art are encouraged.
Education- PLACE Program:
The intern serves as a class coordinator for the HBCU Alliance of Museums and Art Galleries and the Princeton University Art Museum’s Practice, Leadership, Artistry, Curation, and Equity (PLACE) Program. Designed to help increase diversity in the art leadership field, PLACE introduces participants to the inner workings of a university art museum and exposes them to a variety of museum careers and opportunities. Reporting to the Associate Director for Education, the PLACE intern helps plan course curriculum and coordinates with partner institutions presenting HBCU programs in the summer of 2023. The intern also participates in planning PLACE Program travel opportunities to New York City and Philadelphia. The intern assists with all aspects of class preparation, including scheduling for individual classes, arranging for audio-visual assistance for classes, and ordering refreshments. The intern acts as a liaison to course faculty, particularly those who will be traveling to Princeton to participate, assisting with their travel and accommodations if necessary. The intern participates in the PLACE Program and serves as a liaison between the students, faculty, mentors, and Museum staff.
European Art:
The intern will research and prepare provenance information of European paintings and sculptures for online presentation. A graduate student in art history or a related field with reading knowledge of one European language, preferably German or French, is preferred.
Modern and Contemporary Art (one position available):
The department of Modern and Contemporary Art is seeking an intern with exceptional research skills, a passion for the material and technical aspects of artworks, and a desire to develop curatorial skills with ONE of the following special projects:
Latin American Art: The intern will research the Art Museum’s collections of modern and contemporary Latin American art in preparation for the inaugural installation of a selection of the collection in the new building of the Art Museum. A rigorous attention to detail and advanced research skills are essential; ability to work in Spanish or Portuguese and previous study of Latin American art or culture are beneficial.
Edna Andrade: The intern will focus on the artistic career of Philadelphia-based artist Edna Andrade (1917-2008). The intern will research artworks and the artist’s papers in Andrade’s estate as exploratory and preparatory work to support the proposal of an exhibition and publication. A rigorous attention to detail and advanced research skills are essential; previous study of modernism and American art history is beneficial.
Modern and Contemporary Inuit Art: The intern will focus on the Art Museum’s recent acquisition of a group of modern and contemporary Inuit art, including sculptures, prints, and textiles, in preparation for the inaugural installation of the collections galleries in the new building of the Art Museum. A rigorous attention to detail and advanced research skills are essential; previous study of Indigenous North American, specifically Inuit or Alaskan, or Canadian, art or culture are beneficial.
Museum Store:
The intern will assist the Store Manager with researching diverse contemporary artisans and creating a special proposal for new artisans in line with the new museum merchandise.
Publications:
The intern will work on a commemorative publication for the opening of the new building and conduct archival research at Princeton and locate historical photographs.
Princeton University Preparatory Program Teaching Assistant and Museum Education Internship
This internship position has joint responsibilities serving as a Teaching Assistant for the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP) and assisting in the Art Museum’s Education Department.
PUPP is a highly engaged, holistic college preparation and success initiative that fosters the development of students who have been historically marginalized. PUPP partners with five schools from our local region: Ewing, Princeton, Trenton, Lawrence, and Nottingham High Schools. The PUPP Summer Institute offers robust academic courses ranging from literature and writing to college preparation, math, art, sociology, and laboratory science. Courses are taught by master teachers from the region. Additional activities include an overnight leadership retreat, college visits, and trips to museums and cultural institutions.
This internship includes serving as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for PUPP’s art courses during the 2023 PUPP Summer Institute. Two positions available.
Art Teaching Assistant Responsibilities: Art TAs are assigned to support the Art Studio course offered to all three PUPP cohorts each summer. The course is taught by a lead teacher with significant support from the Art TAs and additional support from cohort TAs that work more broadly with PUPP in the summer. Art TAs help develop and deliver curriculum in the Art Studio course including demonstrations and classroom leadership, as well as delivering brief lectures on artists and projects. The Art TAs also work in collaboration with the Art Teacher and Art Museum supervisor to plan and execute the Art excursion day to a local or regional arts institution. The Art TAs play a crucial role with the students, balancing a fine line between mentor and teacher/leader. Some weekend and evening work required.
Museum Education Responsibilities: This position will also work with the Museum’s Education department providing support for summer programs, K-12 and adult engagement programs, and special projects.
Strong candidates for the position should:
- possess and be able to model strong academic, organizational and communication skills;
- be competent in art history and studio art
- have an interest in museum studies
- be energetic, self-motivated, flexible, and enjoy working with teenagers
- be organized, effective task managers
- be adaptable problem-solvers who can respond quickly to a dynamic work environment
An interest in art/museum education, urban education, and/or college access for underrepresented students is a definite plus.
Internship Program
In addition to departmental responsibilities, interns receive a broad introduction to the Princeton University Art Museum’s collections and to the museum field through a five-day orientation program and weekly discussions with Museum staff.
Eligibility
Undergraduate students enrolled in any accredited college or university program, and graduate students enrolled in any accredited post-baccalaureate program are eligible to apply. While previous academic year interns are eligible for a summer internship, previous summer interns are not eligible to apply. Princeton University students are given priority.
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Dates and Compensation
The 2023 program will run from Monday, June 5 to Friday, July 28. Undergraduate students (and recent college graduates) are paid approximately $15.00 per hour and usually work full-time (up to 36.25 hours per week). Graduate students are paid approximately $21.50 per hour and can work part-time or full-time (depending on their institution's funding restrictions as well as the Museum’s needs). All interns must be available to work the entire eight-week period.
The Art Museum can provide on-campus housing at no cost to you. Housing will be provided from Sunday, June 4 (move in) to Saturday, July 29 (move-out). Please note that we cannot provide housing outside of these dates.
How to Apply
Applications must include: a cover letter describing the applicant’s specific interest in the internship program, including the internship(s) of interest; academic and life experience that prepares the applicant for this program; and how a museum internship relates to the applicant’s larger educational or career goals. Applicants must also include a C.V. or résumé, at least one letter of academic recommendation, and an official academic transcript. The deadline for receipt of all materials is 8:00 p.m. eastern standard time (EST) on Friday, February 24, 2023. Please submit ALL materials electronically to PUAMint@princeton.edu.
Applicants may be contacted for interviews. Accepted applicants will be notified in early April. For additional questions, see our FAQs.
With Thanks
Summer internships are made possible, in part, by generous support from the Anne C. Sherrerd, Graduate School Class of 1987, Art Museum Fund, the Frelinghuysen Foundation, and the Joseph F. McCrindle Art Museum Internship Fund.
Museum Voices Internships at the Princeton University Art Museum
To encourage greater diversity in the museum profession, undergraduate and graduate students who are members of groups underrepresented in museum careers are invited to apply for a Museum Voices Internship at the Princeton University Art Museum. As part of the Museum’s general summer internship program, the 2023 Museum Voices internships will run for eight weeks from Monday, June 5 to Friday, July 28. Undergraduate students enrolled in any accredited college or university program, and graduate students enrolled in any accredited post-baccalaureate program are eligible to apply. Princeton University students, first generation, and underrepresented minority students are given priority.
Interns have the opportunity to work in one of several departments, including: curatorial, education, development, information technology, marketing, collections services, publications, or retail and wholesale operations. Based on the available internship positions listed below, summer applicants should select ONE internship in their application; however, the Museum cannot guarantee that applicants will be offered a position in their preferred department.
Interns are selected on the basis of their experience, academic training, and the needs of the Museum department. Collections information research will be part of most interns’ experience. To learn about past summer internship projects, please watch our summer internship video series “Interns at Work.”
Summer 2023 projects:
African Art: DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 20
The intern will conduct in-depth provenance research on a small selection of works in the African art collection and will consult with the Assistant Curator of African Art on methods for sharing the process behind provenance research to museum audiences. Advanced graduate student with knowledge of historical African art and experience with provenance research strongly preferred.
Ancient Art- two positions:
Position 1: The intern will work with the curator to research provenance on works in the collections and provide research assistance for upcoming exhibitions and projects. Research skills are necessary, and a background in Greek and Roman art and knowledge of ancient Greek or Latin are preferred.
Position 2: The intern will work with the curator, collections associate, and the collections information specialist on researching and cataloguing the archaeological material from the excavations at Antioch-on-the-Orontes, located in modern Antakya, Turkey. A background in classical archaeology is preferred.
Art of the Ancient Americas:
The intern will revise and edit label information for the new building’s galleries in the Museum’s collections management system.
Asian Art:
The intern will work with curators to research provenance on works in the collections and provide research assistance for upcoming exhibitions and projects. Knowledge of an Asian language strongly preferred.
Campus Art:
The intern will contribute to research and development of content for the Campus Art collection’s digital presence and will also work independently to catalogue and maintain archival documents related to the Campus Art collection. Experience and/or an interest in public art are encouraged.
Education- PLACE Program:
The intern serves as a class coordinator for the HBCU Alliance of Museums and Art Galleries and the Princeton University Art Museum’s Practice, Leadership, Artistry, Curation, and Equity (PLACE) Program. Designed to help increase diversity in the art leadership field, PLACE introduces participants to the inner workings of a university art museum and exposes them to a variety of museum careers and opportunities. Reporting to the Associate Director for Education, the PLACE intern helps plan course curriculum and coordinates with partner institutions presenting HBCU programs in the summer of 2023. The intern also participates in planning PLACE Program travel opportunities to New York City and Philadelphia. The intern assists with all aspects of class preparation, including scheduling for individual classes, arranging for audio-visual assistance for classes, and ordering refreshments. The intern acts as a liaison to course faculty, particularly those who will be traveling to Princeton to participate, assisting with their travel and accommodations if necessary. The intern participates in the PLACE Program and serves as a liaison between the students, faculty, mentors, and Museum staff.
European Art:
The intern will research and prepare provenance information of European paintings and sculptures for online presentation. A graduate student in art history or a related field with reading knowledge of one European language, preferably German or French, is preferred.
Modern and Contemporary Art (one position available):
The department of Modern and Contemporary Art is seeking an intern with exceptional research skills, a passion for the material and technical aspects of artworks, and a desire to develop curatorial skills with ONE of the following special projects:
Latin American Art: The intern will research the Art Museum’s collections of modern and contemporary Latin American art in preparation for the inaugural installation of a selection of the collection in the new building of the Art Museum. A rigorous attention to detail and advanced research skills are essential; ability to work in Spanish or Portuguese and previous study of Latin American art or culture are beneficial.
Edna Andrade: The intern will focus on the artistic career of Philadelphia-based artist Edna Andrade (1917-2008). The intern will research artworks and the artist’s papers in Andrade’s estate as exploratory and preparatory work to support the proposal of an exhibition and publication. A rigorous attention to detail and advanced research skills are essential; previous study of modernism and American art history is beneficial.
Modern and Contemporary Inuit Art: The intern will focus on the Art Museum’s recent acquisition of a group of modern and contemporary Inuit art, including sculptures, prints, and textiles, in preparation for the inaugural installation of the collections galleries in the new building of the Art Museum. A rigorous attention to detail and advanced research skills are essential; previous study of Indigenous North American, specifically Inuit or Alaskan, or Canadian, art or culture are beneficial.
Museum Store: The intern will assist the Store Manager with researching diverse contemporary artisans and creating a special proposal for new artisans in line with the new museum merchandise.
Publications:
The intern will work on a commemorative publication for the opening of the new building and conduct archival research at Princeton and locate historical photographs.
Princeton University Preparatory Program Teaching Assistant and Museum Education Internship
This internship position has joint responsibilities serving as a Teaching Assistant for the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP) and assisting in the Art Museum’s Education Department.
PUPP is a highly engaged, holistic college preparation and success initiative that fosters the development of students who have been historically marginalized. PUPP partners with five schools from our local region: Ewing, Princeton, Trenton, Lawrence, and Nottingham High Schools. The PUPP Summer Institute offers robust academic courses ranging from literature and writing to college preparation, math, art, sociology, and laboratory science. Courses are taught by master teachers from the region. Additional activities include an overnight leadership retreat, college visits, and trips to museums and cultural institutions.
This internship includes serving as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for PUPP’s art courses during the 2023 PUPP Summer Institute. Two positions available.
Art Teaching Assistant Responsibilities: Art TAs are assigned to support the Art Studio course offered to all three PUPP cohorts each summer. The course is taught by a lead teacher with significant support from the Art TAs and additional support from cohort TAs that work more broadly with PUPP in the summer. Art TAs help develop and deliver curriculum in the Art Studio course including demonstrations and classroom leadership, as well as delivering brief lectures on artists and projects. The Art TAs also work in collaboration with the Art Teacher and Art Museum supervisor to plan and execute the Art excursion day to a local or regional arts institution. The Art TAs play a crucial role with the students, balancing a fine line between mentor and teacher/leader. Some weekend and evening work required.
Museum Education Responsibilities: This position will also work with the Museum’s Education department providing support for summer programs, K-12 and adult engagement programs, and special projects.
Strong candidates for the position should:
- possess and be able to model strong academic, organizational and communication skills;
- be competent in art history and studio art
- have an interest in museum studies
- be energetic, self-motivated, flexible, and enjoy working with teenagers
- be organized, effective task managers
- be adaptable problem-solvers who can respond quickly to a dynamic work environment
An interest in art/museum education, urban education, and/or college access for underrepresented students is a definite plus.
Internship Program
In addition to departmental responsibilities, interns receive a broad introduction to the Princeton University Art Museum collections and to the museum field through a five-day orientation program and weekly discussions with Museum staff.
Eligibility
Undergraduate students enrolled in any accredited college or university program, and graduate students enrolled in any accredited post-baccalaureate program are eligible to apply. While previous academic year interns are eligible for a summer internship, previous summer interns are not eligible to apply. Princeton University students, first generation, and underrepresented minority students are given priority.
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Dates and Compensation
The 2023 program will run from Monday, June 5 to Friday, July 28. Undergraduate students (and recent college graduates) are paid approximately $15.00 per hour and usually work full-time (up to 36.25 hours per week). Graduate students are paid approximately $21.50 per hour and can work part-time or full-time (depending on their institution's funding restrictions as well as the Museum’s needs). All interns must be available to work the entire eight-week period.
The Art Museum can provide on-campus housing at no cost to you. Housing will be provided from Sunday, June 4 (move in) to Saturday, July 29 (move-out). Please note that we cannot provide housing outside of these dates.
Applications must include: a cover letter describing the applicant’s specific interest in the internship program, including the internship(s) of interest; academic and life experience that prepares the applicant for this program; and how a museum internship relates to the applicant’s larger educational or career goals. Applicants must also include a C.V. or résumé, at least one letter of academic recommendation, and an official academic transcript. The deadline for receipt of all materials is 8:00 p.m. eastern standard time (EST) on Friday, February 24, 2023. Please submit ALL materials electronically to PUAMint@princeton.edu.
Applicants may be contacted for interviews, and all applicants will be notified by early April. For additional questions, see our FAQs.
With Thanks
Summer internships are made possible, in part, by generous support from the Anne C. Sherrerd, Graduate School Class of 1987, Art Museum Fund, the Frelinghuysen Foundation, and the Joseph F. McCrindle Art Museum Internship Fund.