Emerging Arts Leader Intern, Curatorial

TITLE: Emerging Arts Leader, Curatorial

DEPARTMENT STAFF MENTOR: Jon & Mary Shirley Curator for Modern & Contemporary Art

FLSA Status: Temporary, Non-Exempt

Compensation: $20.77 per hour

Benefits: Temporary SAM Staff have access to an onsite fitness facility and SAM’s museum library, can access a no-cost Employee Assistance Program resource, enjoy a 20% discount at the SAM Museum Shop and a 10% discount at SAM’s MARKET cafe, receive 2 SAM guest passes per quarter worked, can access 8 Home Free Guarantee cab rides home per year, and accrue paid sick leave at a rate of .0385 per hour worked.

SAM Interns are also eligible for a Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums, access to member rates for ticketed events at SAM, and access to a subsidized ORCA card.

Seattle Art Museum connects art to life. SAM strives for its employees, volunteers, and interns to reflect the community in which it exists. Emerging Arts Leader internships are intended to open career pathways for individuals who bring dynamic backgrounds and perspectives to their work in art, museums, or community engagement.

While diversity can embody many characteristics, this internship program is intended to engage with historically underrepresented groups in the museum field including, but not limited to, individuals of African American, Asian, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander descent.

Partnering with SAM’s Curator for Modern & Contemporary Art, this intern will help conduct research on a number of works in the museum’s permanent collection. Virginia and Bagley Wright donated some 200 works of modern and contemporary art to the museum and we are looking to deepen and update our records for individual works. Focus will be on viewing works, reviewing documentation, and compiling research, exhibition and publication history, and other key information. The intern will accomplish this by:

• Gathering research and transcribing collector records from physical object files
• Conducting library research, requesting, and viewing publications and exhibition lists
• Developing bibliographies and updating existing files in collaboration with the curator, registrar and collections associate
• If applicable, contacting artist foundations for additional information
• Conducting more detailed research on one work on view for an in-gallery presentation

Collections research is a core aspect of curatorial work. This intern will learn about professional museum standards for conducting research and gain insights into how to navigate museum systems within a large, multi-department organization. In addition, the intern will:

• Gain in-depth knowledge about works in the collection and working knowledge of the history of SAM’s Modern & Contemporary collection
• Develop an understanding of the Curatorial department’s approach to art historical research
• Gain insights into the work of other departments, including registrars, the museum librarian, and archivist
• Become proficient with SAM’s museum database, TMS (The Museum System)
• Hone writing skills and learn about professional conduct when communicating with colleagues at artist foundations or galleries

EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT:

15 hours per week, for 10 weeks. Schedule is flexible within Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm office hours. Start and end dates may be flexible depending on intern needs and academic schedule.

1. Prioritize and research up to 10 works in the collection, with weekly check-in meetings and updates with the curator.
2. Update TMS database records with accurate information for each researched object.
3. Develop and deliver a gallery presentation in front of a work of art you researched. This will allow you to share your findings and develop confidence and public speaking skills.
4. Complete a job shadow with frontline volunteers during open hours.
5. Attend exhibit openings, workshops, informational interviews, and check-ins as available.

1. Strong knowledge of modern & contemporary art or museum collections records.
2. Demonstrated skill with independent research, including use of libraries and archives.
3. Strong writing skill, both for updating collections records and for corresponding with peers at artist foundations and galleries.
4. Some experience with databases or filing systems is recommended. Training for TMS (The Museum System) and use of SAM’s collections files will be provided.
5. Clear understanding of concepts related to racial equity, intersectionality, and social justice.
6. Demonstrated proficiency in general computer use, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.
7. Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and proprietary information.
8. Ability to independently take initiative, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
9. Ability to work accurately with close attention to detail.
10. Ability to ask for help and accept supervision and evaluation of your work.
11. Ability to work with co-workers, volunteers, and peers at other institutions with integrity and tact.
12. Ability to adhere to museum policies and support management decisions in a positive, professional manner.

EDUCATION & REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

This is an intensive, research-based internship designed to provide students on a path towards an MFA in art history (or higher degree) with vital and first-hand knowledge of museum work.

College-level education in art history, or equivalent experience and knowledge, is required, and graduate-level students are preferred.

Exposure: Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Work is occasionally performed at other indoor and outdoor sites. 

Stationary Work: Approximately 80% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 20%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required when assisting at Museum events.

Communication: Clear and effective communication with volunteers, donors, members, the public, and co-workers is necessary.

Moving: The ability to move up to twenty pounds on occasion is necessary for moving files, equipment, and supplies. Must be able to regularly position self to access files.

Office Work: Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare, and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.

Applications are only accepted via the online form at https://seattleartmuseum.applytojob.com/apply.

Application materials in PDF format may also be sent to internships@seattleartmuseum.org.

Each application should include:

• Application Form (completed online)
• A Personal Statement or Cover Letter of no more than 500 words detailing:
  • How your personal background or academic/professional experiences inform your perspective on a curator’s role in museums, community, and the arts.
  • How questions of equity and inclusion shape your personal and professional goals.
  • What you hope to gain from this experience and how it might enhance your education and career plans.
  • How you consider yourself meeting the specific criteria set out in the job description for this internship.
• Resume, which describes experience you believe is relevant to this internship and your professional goals. This may include professional experience, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, community service, and academic projects.
• At least one Letter of Recommendation, ideally from a teacher, supervisor, or mentor. References should be emailed directly to internships@seattleartmuseum.org, with the applicant name noted in the Subject line.

For additional information or to request reasonable accommodations for the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (206) 654-3188 or at internships@seattleartmuseum.org

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Celebrating difference. At Seattle Art Museum, our members, visitors, and local community come from all walks of life, and so do our employees, volunteers, and interns. The plurality of our identities and experiences strengthens our mission: connecting art to life. Our mission and vision call us to be responsive to a multitude of cultural contexts and lived experiences, and as such, our Strategic Plan directly addresses the role art plays in empowering and elevating social justice movements, and promoting structural change to further equity in our society. SAM is particularly dedicated to racial equity in the workplace, because we know that people of color are the most impacted when it comes to both historical and present inequities. We know that equity is not a single fixed destination, it’s ongoing reckoning. As SAM continually strives to be a more inclusive and equitable workplace, we are particularly interested in engaging with those who have been historically underrepresented in the museum field. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we celebrate difference.

SAM is an equal opportunity employer. We are an equal opportunity employer, and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, sensory, physical, or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. SAM is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures, and will consider candidates for employment who may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. Please contact the Human Resources Department at HR@seattleartmuseum.org for additional information, or to request reasonable accommodations for the application or interview process.

We encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we include, celebrate and embrace difference. We encourage you to submit an application, even if your experience doesn’t feel like a 100% match with the position. We know applying for a job can be intimidating, and research tells us that womxn and folks of color are less likely to apply if they don't see themselves meeting or exceeding every single qualification listed. We encourage you to apply, even if you feel unsure about whether you meet every requirement in this job post. You could very well be a great fit for this role or others.

Criminal background check. Employment at SAM is contingent upon successful clearing of both a federal and state criminal background check.

Want to learn more? If you haven't already, check out our Careers page for more on working at SAM.

Though we'd love to be able to reply to every question that crosses our desk, due to the high volume of applications we receive, our HR team is unfortunately unable to offer a response to inquiries requesting search status updates, inquiries about hiring timeline, or requests to be put in touch with directly with the Hiring Team. If your experiences and capabilities are well suited to an open role, our Recruiter or the Hiring Manager will reach out directly to schedule an interview. Thanks for your understanding!

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