Penn CURF 2023 Museum Studies Internship Program at Philadelphia Museum of Art, USA

The Museum Studies Internship Program exposes interns to the inner-workings of a major metropolitan museum, promoting an awareness of careers in the field through experiences not available in most academic settings. An internship with the Philadelphia Museum of Art is an invaluable educational, professional, and personal experience. Through the internship program, interns will gain an understanding of a professional workplace, receive one-on-one mentorship, learn practical skills, and participate in professional development sessions and network with museum staff and peers. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including those from traditionally underrepresented groups in the museum field. Ten students will be selected for the summer program taking place from June 6 to July 29, 2022. Interns receive a stipend of $3,000 for living expenses.

Internship Format

The Museum Studies Internship Program runs Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for eight weeks. The internship is made up of three parts: one day weekly students will engage in seminar sessions (see below); four days weekly students will intern in a specific museum department; and one-hour weekly students will meet in a small group discussion with their cohort of peers. Interns are placed according to departmental needs that vary from year to year. Candidates selected for a Departmental Placement will automatically be admitted into the Museum Studies seminar which may include:

• Presentations and talks with curators, conservators, and educators
• Discussions with top-level administrators
• Conversations with many museum departments
• Behind-the-scenes tours of museum spaces and galleries
• Lectures on the museum’s history and collection

Stipends are made possible by the Honickman Foundation, the Patty Klutz memorial gift, the Danielle Rice memorial gift, and the Division of Education at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

• Table of Content
• About Penn CURF
• Penn CURF Museum Studies Internship Program at Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Aim and Benefits of Penn CURF Museum Studies Internship Program at Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Requirements for Penn CURF Museum Studies Internship Program at Philadelphia Museum of Art Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Penn CURF

The Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) supports all students as they pursue transformative experiences through fellowships, scholars programs, and undergraduate research. CURF promotes connections between faculty and students, encourages mentorship, and educates the Penn community about opportunities for all students and alumni.

Penn CURF Museum Studies Internship Program at Philadelphia Museum of Art

Aim and Benefits of Penn CURF Museum Studies Internship Program at Philadelphia Museum of Art

• Presentations and talks with curators, conservators, and educators
• Discussions with top-level administrators
• Conversations with many museum departments
• Behind-the-scenes tours of museum spaces and galleries
• Lectures on the museum’s history and collection

Stipends are made possible by the Honickman Foundation, the Patty Klutz memorial gift, the Danielle Rice memorial gift, and the Division of Education at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Requirements for Penn CURF Museum Studies Internship Program at Philadelphia Museum of Art Qualification

To be considered for the internship and/or the stipend, submit your online application and PDFs of all required materials at the link below by Monday, February 28, 2022. Additional materials will not be considered. See Required Application Materials 

Application Form
Please include your résumé and essa when you submit your application. Additional materials will not be considered. Application materials should be submitted as PDFs. Also identify three areas of interest for internship placement (see the “Description of Past Intern Placements” section for placement descriptions). In addition, please submit contact information (name, email, and phone number) for 1 individual who will be able to provide a letter of recommendation. 

https://philamuseum.applytojob.com/apply/lxdeLktuGc/Museum-Studies-Internship-Program-2022 

Résumé
Please be sure to include relevant employment and volunteer experiences as well as computer and language skills.

Essay
Please limit the essay to no more than 700 words and be sure to address the following:

• Explain your interest in the museum/art field and what led you to apply for the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Museum Studies Internship Program
• Describe how your specific interests, skill sets, and experiences might relate to the departments(s) you have selected on the application form and explain how you will contribute to the Museum Studies Internship Program cohort.
• Describe why you feel committed to representing diverse perspectives in the museum/art field.

One Letter of Recommendation
Applicants must have one confidential letter of recommendation submitted by past or current professors or academic advisors or a past or current employer who is familiar with your skills and abilities. The letters of recommendation must be submitted via email to [email protected] by the application deadline. The recommendation emails should clearly indicate the applicant’s name in the subject line and must come directly from the recommender’s email.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Please include your résumé and essa when you submit your application. Additional materials will not be considered. Application materials should be submitted as PDFs. Also identify three areas of interest for internship placement (see the “Description of Past Intern Placements” section for placement descriptions). In addition, please submit contact information (name, email, and phone number) for 1 individual who will be able to provide a letter of recommendation. 

For more details visit: Penn CURF website.