Summer Internships at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, deadline is March 1

Museum of American history footer_logo_si2The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has many internship opportunities year-round, however their summer session is the largest and most competitive of the year.

Summer internship deadline is March 1, 2014.

1. Archives Center – Interns undertake projects involving preparation of collections for research use and dissemination of collections information through print and electronic media. The project will entail processing—arrangement description, and re-housing materials—as well as cataloging archival collections. (non-paid) à SOLAA Project Choice: Archives Center. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

2. Archives Center Cope Shaw Archival Internship (graduate students only) – http://americanhistory.si.edu/archives/about/internship-program/cope-shaw-internship (paid) SOLAA Program Choice: Cope Shaw Archival Internship. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

3. Associate Director, Management & Museum Services – Interns will support the office responsible for a range of Museum-wide management, support, and services functions. These include personnel, budget and finance, technology, project management, photographic services, and the business program (non-paid) à SOLAA Project Choice: Assoc Director, Management & Museum Services. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

4. Conservation Lab (Costume) Intern will work on learning projects that focus on the conservation and preservation on textiles and costume objects. Carries out surveys, treatment, and mounting on assigned NMAH and traveling exhibits for costumes and textiles. Examines assigned objects for surveys. Identifies treatment and mounting needs. Develops proposals that address those needs and carries out approved treatment and mounting procedures. Constructs various support forms for the exhibitions including partial and full silhouette and 3-D display forms for costumes, and display forms for hats, shoes, and adornments. Installation of textile and costume objects for exhibitions. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Conservation – Costume

5. Conservation Lab (Object) Intern will work on learning projects that focus on surveys of objects going on exhibition or loan to assess the condition and determine treatment needs. Responsible for the cleaning, repair, and compensation of three-dimensional objects in preparation for exhibition and loan. Supervision of contractors and interns and management of the day-to-day operations of the Objects Conservation Lab. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Conservation – Object. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

6. Conservation Lab (Paper) Intern will work on learning projects that focus on conservation, preservation, storage and exhibition of paper-based artifacts such as documents, art on paper and historic books. Surveys paper-based objects going on exhibition or loan to assess their condition and determine treatment needs. Responsible for the cleaning, stabilization and repair of artifacts in preparation for exhibition and loan. Supervision of contractors and interns and management of the day-to-day operations of the Paper Conservation Lab. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Conservation – Paper. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

7. *Curatorial Projects – Curatorial interns work alongside professional staff in the Museum’s Department of History. The department’s research and collections document the breadth, depth, and complexity of the American people, from social, political, military, and cultural history to the history of science, medicine, and technology. Research sources include historical objects, oral histories, prints, photographs, and archives. Outside sources may include the Library of Congress, the National Archives, historical societies, and other government records. Interns will have opportunities to work on a variety of projects which may include research, exhibition, and/or collections-related activities, depending on the nature of the assignment. http://americanhistory.si.edu/getinvolved/internship/opportunities/curatorial-projects. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice(s): Curatorial – Armed Forces History, Curatorial – Culture & the Arts, Curatorial – Work & Industry, Curatorial – Political History, Curatorial – Home, Community & Life, Curatorial – Medicine & Science. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

8. Development (Fundraising) The intern will learn basic knowledge of fundraising methods. Tasks will vary depending on the Museum’s fundraising priorities at the time of the internship, such as on designing an invite, generating lists, mailing, taking RSVP’s, and coordination with special events or helping with list management, research, pulling data, etc. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Development (Fundraising). Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

9. Director’s Office Intern – Interns will support the office responsible for overall leadership and management of the museum including planning, research, collecting, education, exhibitions, fundraising, business activities, and facilities renovation. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Director’s Office Intern. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

10. Exhibition Design – Interns focus on either two-dimensional or three-dimensional design to assist in the development, production, and installation of exhibitions. Two-dimensional design: Produce graphic design for exhibits, print materials, public programs, and online use. Interns work with Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Professional, Photoshop, QuarkXPress, FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Word, and Excel. Three-dimensional design: Produce conceptual and detailed designs for space planning, exhibition layout, and artifact display. Create models in three-dimensional and virtual space. Interns work with CAD – Vectorworks, SketchUp, and Adobe Illustrator. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Exhibition Design. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

11. Graphic Production – Interns assist with design, digitizing, and production for exhibition-quality, large-format printing. They acquire and develop advanced skills for scanning, file preparation, image manipulation, and RIP server management for mural prints. They will also assist with public programs and the installation of exhibits. Interns work in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and QuarkXPress. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Graphic Production. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

12. Historic Theatre Intern – The Intern Theatre Project is a three month-long summer internship for four undergraduate or graduate students of Theatre Arts. The Interns, if selected, will be tasked with researching, conceptualizing, developing, writing, art-directing, and performing a short museum theatre piece for the National Museum of American History, in front of the public visitors to the museum. The process will include guidance and direction from the Theatre Programs’ Creative Director, workshops with local museum theatre professionals, and access to curators and Smithsonian resources. The interns will also be subject to video and audio podcasting as a resource for the museum, and will each write an essay about the experience for publishing on the museum blog. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Historic Theatre Intern (at least four applicants will be selected). Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

13. Jazz Appreciation Month – The Smithsonian hosts Jazz Appreciation Month to draw public attention to the history of jazz and its importance in American culture. Interns assist in advertising and coordinating Museum programs, answering public inquiries, and communicating with jazz organizations and schools nationwide. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Music – Jazz Appreciation Month. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

14. Jazz Research Internship – Interns research the history of jazz, including both the emerging musical styles and the cultural changes brought about by the medium. (non-paid) SOLAA Project: Music – Jazz Researchers. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

15. SJMO Internship – Interns will assist the SJMO producer with concert production and other jazz-related projects. Duties may include music library evaluation, marketing, and participation in management meetings. SOLAA Project Choice: Music – Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (SJMO). Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

16. New Media Intern – Web Design Assistant – This intern will have a key role in working with New Media staff to redesign the Museum’s blog. In addition, they’ll assist with maintaining the Museum website, creating and migrating exhibition sites, and providing other visual web content. Candidates should have a basic proficiency in hand coding HTML/CSS and/or a foundational knowledge of user experience design. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: New Media – Web Design Assistant. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

17. New Media Intern – Blogging Editorial Assistant – This intern will work with staff, fellow interns, guest bloggers, and others to pitch, frame, write, edit, design, and evaluate blog posts; plan and implement a lively editorial calendar of future posts; represent the blog through the Museum’s social media channels, and advocate for readers’ interests and needs. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: New Media – Blogging Editorial Assistant. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

18. Public Affairs – Interns will have projects of their own to promote start to finish. In addition, interns will assist the office with daily operations: researching and responding to media and public inquiries, compiling media clips, researching and writing calendar submissions, media advisories and releases and some other things that come up. (non-paid) SOLAA Project: Public Affairs. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

19. Daily Programs Intern – Interns help research, develop, and evaluate museum programming. In addition, interns engage museum visitors on the museum floor through interactive cart programs, by delivering visitor talks, and by assisting with theater programming. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Public Programs, Education & Outreach – Daily Programs. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

20. Programs in African American History & Culture Intern – Interns help plan, research, present, and evaluate a variety of public programs. Past projects have included an annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration, celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the 1965 Alabama voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, and “Lift Every Voice” tours, where actors present historical interpretations of a variety of events and subjects. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Public Programs, Education, & Outreach – Program in African American Culture. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

21. Programs in Latino History & Culture – Interns assist with the management, production, and evaluation of public programs; the development of a teaching collection, related curriculum materials, and interpretive guides on Latino history and culture; and the inventory of objects for themes relevant to Latino history. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Public Programs, Education, & Outreach – Program in Latino History & Culture. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

22. Special Events – Interns coordinate and attend receptions, dinners, conferences, donation ceremonies, and other special events at the Museum. Responsibilities include planning menus, décor, entertainment, and invitation lists as well as determining protocol and overseeing the printing and mailing of invitations. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Special Events. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

23. Information Technology Intern – Interns will assist in design, implementation, and support services for computers, networks, audio-visual and data-information systems used by the Museum. (non-paid) SOLAA Project Choice: Technology Services: Information Technology. Create an account and apply on SOLAA https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html

24. *James E. Webb Internship for Minority Undergraduate Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students in Business and Public Administration. DEADLINE IS THIS SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1! http://www.smithsonianofi.com/internship-opportunities/james-e-webb-internship-for-minority-undergraduate-juniors-seniors-and-graduate-students-in-business-and-public-administration/

25. *Minority Internship Program DEADLINE IS THIS SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1! http://www.smithsonianofi.com/minority-internship-program/

*These programs are centrally funded paid internships. When students apply they can be placed in any of the Smithsonian units à www.si.edu

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