Museum Studies

October 1, 2021, Filed Under: Internship

Ransom Center Internships – Spring 2022

The Ransom Center is recruiting paid undergraduate interns for Spring 2022! Check out our website and see below for more information!

What is a Ransom Center undergraduate internship?

Ransom Center undergraduate internships are paid opportunities to work behind the scenes with experts at an important cultural institution with worldwide connections. We offer positions in a variety of departments as well as monthly professional development sessions for the entire cohort. Interns are expected to work ten hours a week for the extent of the semester.

Why should I apply?

Whether you want to kick-start a career in libraries and museums, explore a personal interest in our collections, or develop yourself professionally in a vibrant, collaborative environment, the Ransom Center undergraduate internships are for you! But don’t just take our word for it- check out these interviews with former interns Celia Shaheen and Nick Purgett!

Where is the Ransom Center?

The Ransom Center is a humanities library-archive-museum located on campus at 21st Street and Guadalupe. We offer classes, present public programs and exhibitions, and host researchers from across campus and the world.

Who is eligible to apply for an internship?

All interested UT Austin undergraduates are encouraged to apply!

When is the application deadline?

Applications will be due by October 29. Applicants can submit their resume and cover letter via Handshake, and one letter of recommendation directly to lincoln.howard@austin.utexas.edu.

Any questions can be directed to lincoln.howard@austin.utexas.edu.

August 19, 2021, Filed Under: Internship

Opportunity with the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum – Spring 2022

Virtual Explainers Program

The National Air & Space Museum is now hiring a REMOTE team of student educators!

This new team of Virtual Explainers will inspire audiences around the globe by connecting them to our iconic artifacts and sharing inspiring stories about innovation, science, and technology. The Explainers Program is seeking college students of all backgrounds and majors to help our virtual visitors become life-long learners and better understand STEM concepts through interactive digital programs. Virtual Explainers will work remotely throughout the school year and summer. We are seeking candidates with the flexibility to provide, at a minimum, a 12-month commitment to the program. Send questions to: NASM-ExplainersProgram@si.edu.

Explainer Duties

Virtual Explainers engage audiences through interactive virtual demonstrations on topics such as the forces of flight, living and working in space, and astronomy. Our dynamic portfolio of virtual visitor experiences includes a digital planetarium show, live Explainer demonstrations, and a Storytime program for Kindergarten through 2nd grade participants. Additional virtual projects may also be assigned on an as-needed basis.

Explainers may be scheduled for remote shifts seven days a week, but most programs will occur Mon-Fri between 9 am and 4 pm ET. Candidates must be available for some shifts during these times. Hours will be flexible according to your academic schedule.

Requirements

To be a Virtual Explainer you must:

Be at least 16 years of age
Currently be enrolled in a diploma- or degree-granting program
Maintain a 2.7 GPA
Provide availability for a minimum of 5 shifts per month. Shifts are 3 hours, either AM or PM, Monday through Friday. (AM shift: 9 am – 12:30 pm and PM shift: 12:30 – 4 pm)
Be able to commit to, at minimum, 12-months of work with the program
Be able to engage diverse audiences in a virtual classroom setting
Have good written and oral communication skills
Have consistent access to a robust internet connection; quiet work environment; reliable computer; webcam; and microphone
Be willing to attend ongoing virtual trainings and proactively engage in self-study on topics related to aeronautics and space science
Be a United States citizen with a photo ID; a naturalized citizen with proper documentation; or a non-citizen with proper INS authorization to work in the United States

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who fit the following criteria:

Applicants from all majors accepted
Applicants from all geographic areas with availability to work 9am-4pm EST
Public speaking experience and/or teaching experience
Proven dynamic virtual presence
Interest in STEM or science communication
Experienced and enthusiastic about working with children
Strong tech skills & digital troubleshooting ability

Application Procedure

Email NASM-ExplainersProgram@si.edu for an application form.

To be considered for a position as a Virtual Explainer, you will be asked to submit the following items:

A completed application form
A current resume
A college or graduate transcript (unofficial transcripts will be accepted) or college class schedule + high school transcript, if applying as a freshman
Two letters of recommendation
A 2-minute video to serve as your “statement of purpose”— Why do you want to be a virtual Explainer? How will you contribute to the program and how will this position assist you in your career and/or educational goals?

An interview may be scheduled after the application package has been received and reviewed.

Please note: Incomplete application packages will not be processed or considered.

For additional information, to request an application, or to submit recommendations please email NASM-ExplainersProgram@si.edu. Recommenders can send letters of recommendation directly to this email or send to the applicant to submit with completed application package.

2021 Application & Hiring Timeline

Applications due by: Rolling applications due Sunday September 19th

Interview period: Interviews will be scheduled a rolling basis as applications are received

For selected candidates, this job will start no earlier than: November 1st, 2021

July 30, 2021, Filed Under: Internship

Visual Arts Center Curatorial Internship – Fall 2021 & Spring 2022

OVERVIEW

The Visual Arts Center (VAC) is a 13,000 square-foot gallery situated in the College of Fine Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. Our mission is to provide a platform for artists, curators, and educators to experiment, test ideas, and take risks. Through our exhibitions and public programs, we aim to spark generative conversations about art and contemporary society. We believe art has the potential to unite, inform, and inspire us to take action toward creating a more just world. The VAC is always free and open to the public.

The Curatorial Intern is supervised by the VAC Director and will work closely with the entire VAC team, and specifically the Director, Gallery Manager, Chief Preparator, and Curatorial Fellow. Primary responsibilities include assisting with upcoming exhibitions, public programs, and development initiatives. This includes research for Spring 2022 exhibitions and a large group exhibition slated to open in Fall 2022. The Curatorial Intern will work with the Director and the VAC Gallery Manager on public programming for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022, including artist talks, conversations and other forms of programming. The Curatorial Intern will assist the Director with development research, including foundation and donor research, creating Excel spreadsheets, maintaining correspondence with donors, assisting with development programming in-person and online.

The Curatorial Internship is a 10 – 15 hour per week position starting Sept 13, 2021 and ending May 31, 2022. Some work can be performed remotely.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist the Director with research for upcoming exhibitions at the VAC, such as creating artist files for each artist; supporting artist in residence research at UT; assisting with other organizational tasks.
Research related to upcoming exhibitions and create electronic research files for this material.
Compile high resolution images and image captions for artist files to be used for VAC website and press purposes.
Draft exhibition-related texts in consultation with Director and Gallery Manager.
Support Director and Gallery Manager with organization and logistics for public programs, including: correspondence, descriptive texts, tech needs, and marketing efforts.
Assist Director with development-related research.
Work with Communications Director on interdepartmental communications and social media campaigns.
Maintain weekly office hours and meet with VAC staff on Zoom or in-person as needed throughout the course of the internship.
Maintain weekly gallery hours (as needed).

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Microsoft Office Suite; Adobe Office Suite; knowledge of contemporary art; excellent communication skills; organized; enthusiastic; enjoys working with others in a collaborative and creative atmosphere.

COMPENSATION

The Curatorial Intern will receive $1000 per semester, $2000 for the academic year.

TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND:

Cover letter

Resume

Recent writing sample (10 pages maximum)

Submit via email as a PDF to info@utvac.org

Deadline to apply: August 6, 2021