Dangler Internship, Photography and Media (Spring 2025)
MISSION
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Art Institute's department of Photography and Media seeks a doctoral or postgraduate Art History student, with a demonstrated interest in the public mission of museums, to apply for this internship opportunity. The intern will work closely with curatorial and collections management staff to assist in upcoming Photography and Media exhibitions by furthering curatorial research. Through mentorship with curators in the department, the intern will gain insight into the work of a photography and media curator and museum careers more broadly.
Spanning the history of photography from the 1830s to the present, the Art Institute's Photography and Media collection holds approximately 24,000 objects by celebrated practitioners from virtually across the globe. Photographs have been exhibited regularly at the Art Institute of Chicago for well over a century; the museum's photography collection originated in 1949, when Georgia O'Keeffe donated the Alfred Stieglitz Collection. That collection, along with the Julien Levy Collection, give the museum a core strength in early 20th-century photography from the United States and Western Europe. The department's collection also includes important groups of work by pioneer photographers of the 19th century, Japanese postwar photography, work made in Chicago, and a range of contemporary art-making it wide-ranging in scope.
About the Dangler Internship:
Eliza Dangler (1987-2011) interned in the Department of Photography in the summer and fall of 2011. She undertook invaluable research and writing for multiple exhibitions, most importantly Light Years: Conceptual Art and the Photograph, 1964-1977. As a tribute to Eliza Dangler's focus and keen intellect, this internship is awarded to a doctoral or postgraduate student in Art History with a demonstrated commitment to the public mission of museums.
INTERNSHIP OUTCOMES

• Develop a foundational knowledge of the inner workings of a curatorial department and the work of a curator;
• Develop a knowledge of current scholarship on photography and media;
• Work with curatorial to further develop upcoming photography and media exhibitions;
• Conduct collection and exhibition research;
• Experience writing and publishing web-based content;
• Engage and work with museum professionals in various fields and departments;
• Develop mentor relationships with field practitioners;
• Build peer-to-peer relationships with fellow interns.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist curators with research on forthcoming exhibitions and/or publishing projects;
• Pursue independent research and develop web-based content for one or more collection objects;
• Collaborate with curatorial staff on various departmental projects;
• Attend weekly check-ins with mentors: the Assistant Curator and the David C. and Sarajean Ruttenberg Associate Curator in Photography and Media;
• Attend intern cohort professional development programs and museum practice seminars.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled in an art history doctoral program or holds a masters degree in art history
• Has evidence of previous art history coursework emphasizing the medium of photography
• Has previous paid or volunteer experience in other art museums
• Possesses the ability to carry out independent library researchPossesses excellent writing and communication skills
• Maintains strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Familiarity with MS Office, Adobe Acrobat Creative Suite, and Google Professional Suite

APPLICATION:
Every applicant must apply on artic.edu/careers. You must upload all of the requested materials below into only one pdf document (rsum/CV and cover letter) and list your last name and "DANGLER" in the title of the file (example: [LAST NAME]_DANGLER.pdf.) Please upload your materials where the application asks for a "rsum/cover letter."
PLEASE NOTE: You will not be considered if any requested application element is missing.
Application must include the following materials:

• Resume / CV
• Cover letter that addresses the following:
  
  • What attracted you to this specific internship at the Art Institute of Chicago?
  • What qualities do you have that you think museums need more of?

DEADLINE:
This application will close on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 11:59 pm CDT. Selected applicants will be asked to interview via video call after the deadline passes.
INTERNSHIP INFORMATION
Duration of Position: 20 weeks / January 2025 through May 2025 (start date and end date are flexible)
Compensation: Paid / $16.32/hr /Part-time / Temporary
Schedule: This is a part-time, 20-week position for a currently enrolled or recently graduated graduate student. The intern will work between 14-21 hours per week, for a total of up to 420 hours over the course of the internship. Work days will occur between Monday-Friday; the start date and schedule will be determined upon agreement with the candidate and the host department.
Hourlong virtual and in-person intern professional development programs will be scheduled throughout the internship term that the intern is strongly encouraged to attend. We ask that the intern make this part of their internship schedule.
Format: The internship will be fully onsite. Due to onsite necessity, applicants based or attending school in the Chicagoland area during the internship timeframe will be prioritized. Internet access and appropriate technology will be necessary to complete this internship; technological accommodations will be provided by the Art Institute of Chicago.
Number of openings: 1
CLOSING STATEMENT
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.