The Research Resources department at the Whitney Museum of American Art department offers part-time paid internships during the fall of 2020. The internship will be completed online, with interns committing from 16 to 21 hours per week for 10 to 12 weeks. The program begins the week of October 26, and includes a $3,000 stipend for full participation. Internships are open to current students or recent graduates who have completed at least one semester in a Library and Information Science Program, or related graduate program. Preferred candidates will have a strong academic background and an interest in modern and contemporary art and/or museum work.
Internships are available working within the Library or Archives. Information about each internship is described below.
The deadline to apply is September 25, 2020.
To apply, click on “APPLY” under the description of the Academic Year Internship here: https://whitney.org/About/Internships
Archives Internship:
Working under the supervision of the professional Managing Archivist, the intern will gain first-hand experience and training in multiple areas related to the management of archives in a museum setting.
- Create and edit online finding aids that describe Whitney archival collections using ArchivesSpace.
- Edit and add additional metadata to records in ArchivesSpace.
- Create research guides for Whitney-specific subjects and exhibitions.
Outcomes:
- Experience with ArchivesSpace, Microsoft Excel, DACs (Describing Archives Content Standard).
- Understanding of the role of the archivist in a museum setting.
- Understanding of how the Whitney’s archival collections support unique research needs.
- The ability to work independently with sharp attention to detail.
- Knowledge of ArchivesSpace, Microsoft Excel, DACs, and Adobe Photoshop a plus.
- Experience with and understanding of the structure of archival finding aids.
- Interest in American Art and Art history.
Email archives@whitney.org with further inquiries.
Library & Special Collections Internship:
Under the supervision of professional library staff, the intern will gain first-hand experience in multiple areas related to the management of a library in a museum setting. The intern will gain knowledge of library duties in a remote services environment, ranging from metadata projects to administrative tasks, gained through direct participation in departmental activities.
Projects/work assignments may include:
- MARC record creation and enhancement with our Koha integrated library system
- Reference assistance for Museum staff and interns using our library database and online research tools
- Assistance with research around contemporary artists’ books, graphics, and born-digital work in support of a special collections metadata project
The ability to work independently with attention to detail is required. Availability for phone and video conferencing is required. Knowledge of MARC, LCC and LCSH, and experience with an ILS are preferred.
To learn more about our Library, visit http://whitney.org/Collection/Research/Library
About Research Resources:
The Research Resources department at the Whitney Museum of American Art oversees and provides access to vital collections that further the study of modern and contemporary art in the United States. Comprised of the Permanent Collection Documentation Office, Special Collections, Visual Resources, and the Frances Mulhall Achilles Library & Archives, the department supports researchers from a wide range of disciplines, including scholars, curators, writers, artists, and Museum staff.
About the Whitney:
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.
The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.
