Cultural Resources Department InternshipAt — Museum of Us
The focus of the internship will be to support MoU’s staff with the ongoing inventory, movement, and archival housing of a variety of ethnographic cultural resources. In particular, interns will help with recovery efforts from a mild smoke exposure event that occurred in Summer of 2024 and will gain broad hands-on experience in object handling, inventory procedures, digitization, and registration procedures. Responsibilities will include database entry, moving and tracking, and securing cultural resources. All work performed will follow cultural protocols and restrictions around handling, care, and storage of cultural resources. Working under the supervision of Department staff, interns may also have the opportunity to perform relevant provenance research, assist with de-installation and installation of exhibits, create custom housing boxes, and other department projects as assigned.
Upper level undergraduate or graduate level students interested in collections management, registration, or in general collections care are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to currently enrolled students with upper division course work in museum studies, anthropology, history, or related fields. Interns must have already successfully completed at least one year of college course work. The position involves intensive object handling and requires a detail-oriented individual with good judgment and diligence. Interns must demonstrate sensitivity and respect for cultural protocols, can follow detailed instructions, perform work in an accurate and careful manner, and have excellent manual dexterity. Additionally, re-housing procedures often require the precise use of sharp cutting tools so a keen attention to detail and physical safety is necessary. Position also requires excellent computer skills with the ability to learn PC-based software programs quickly.
All work performed will follow cultural protocols and restrictions around handling, care, and storage of cultural resources. This will include cultural resources trainings as well as on-boarding orientations to understand the museum's history and ongoing decolonial initiatives.
Students will (at times) have to carry cultural belongings into housing rooms that are only accessible via stairs.
Please submit a letter of interest and resume. The letter should include reasons for interest in the internship, skills the intern has and/or hopes to gain, future career plans, and times of availability.
| Hours | Duration |
|---|---|
| 8 | hours per week |