How to get an Internship at an Art Museum

Many people think that working in a museum is a glamorous job. It can be a fantastic career, but you have to start somewhere. An internship is the perfect place to start.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Resume
• Phone
• Local Museum

1. Look up the local museums in your area. If you live in a rural area, there may be smaller community museums who might need volunteers or interns just to function. They might not have a formal intern program. This can be an excellent way to get a variety of hands-on experiences that you wouldn't get in a formal program.
2. If you are looking in an urban area, there are many large art museums with more formal programs. This may take some research to find out if they have an application process and deadlines for when you can apply. These programs might also be competitive, so know what you want to accomplish during your internship. If you are interested in working with collections rather than conservation, say so. Explain why.
3. Do your research! Do not apply for internship at museums that don't have the kind of collections you are interested in exploring. If you are interested in fossils, don't apply for at a museum that specializes in 17th Century European Art.
4. Look at the museum website and make a few phone calls. For some small museums, you can always call and see if they need volunteers or if they can offer an unpaid internship. Museums are often times short handed, and are grateful for the help.
5. If the museum is large, there may be an internship coordinator that can answer your questions. There might be a lengthy application process, or even scholarships and stipends available.
6. If you are unable to get a formal internship, always offer yourself as a volunteer. This can still be useful on a resume for future museum positions. Volunteering can also give you some perks such as free entry to events, discounts in the museum store, and networking opportunities that might pay off later.
7. Take advantage of all the resources open to you when you get the internship. There might be a library collection, or an opportunity to see parts of a collection the public can never see. Make the most of your time there.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a resume handy in case an opportunity presents itself.
• Be flexible.
• Get to know the staff. They can write a recommendation for you later.
• Always act as if your internship is your professional job. Just because you don't get paid for it, doesn't mean you shouldn't take it seriously.
• Have fun! Museums are the playground for the intellectual crowd.
• Don't act like a know-it-all. This is irritating to anyone who is trying to teach you about the profession.
• Don't think any kind of work is beneath you.
• Don't forget you are there to learn. Ask questions, meet people, and always be professional and polite.