Art Museum of the University of Memphis

Two Positions: Collections Intern and Education Intern

Background | Details | Eligibility

Background

The Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM), a museum of visual art and culture, serves the University and its region as a resource and laboratory for the study, interpretation, and presentation of the visual arts and the dissemination of artistic scholarly research.

Since 1994, the visiting artist series has brought innovative contemporary projects to Memphis. Artists from the Mid-South, New York, Chicago, Great Britain, Germany, The Czech Republic, and Russia have designed site-based installations that include community and student participation. Egyptian antiquities and African art are exhibited in galleries dedicated to these collections.

Students and scholars work with art, objects and archival materials from our diverse collections researching individual works and developing exhibitions. The 19th century to present-day print/drawing collection includes several strengths: the work of Samuel H. Crone, Carroll Cloar's lithographs, Épinal prints depicting Napoleon Bonaparte's life, Beth Van Hoesen's preparatory drawings and prints, and Andy Warhol's polaroids, prints and silk screens.


 

Details

INTERNS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROGRAM.

Collections Intern

AMUM seeks a college student (either junior or senior) pursuing a career in museums or a related field to serve as a collections intern.

The Collections intern will learn the basics of handling ancient artifacts, producing condition reports and assessments, object photography, working with museum catalog software, and preparing objects for display. The intern will also work with the curator to help design public programming and educational outreach materials for a diverse group of audiences.

Responsibilities

The Collections Intern will work under the guidance of the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology's curator Dr. Darcy Hackley, who is responsible for overseeing AMUM's ancient Egyptian Gallery and collection. The intern will:

  • Assist the curator in inventorying the University's collection of Egyptian objects and preparing new exhibits components and attributing educational materials in support of the Egyptian gallery.  

  • Learn the basics of handling ancient artifacts, producing condition reports and assessments, object photography, working with museum catalog software, and preparing objects for display.

  • Work with the curator to help design public programming and educational outreach materials for a diverse group of audiences.

Overview

Requirements, Skills, and Qualifications

The intern must demonstrate a genuine interest in working within a museum and should possess the following skillset:

  • The ability to adjust to changing circumstances and solve any problems that arise

  • The ability to manage their time successfully and effectively

  • Excellent communication skills to exchange information and ideas effectively to fellow staff members

  • Equally capable of working with fellow museum staff or independently

  • Creativity and the ability to create new ideas and solutions

  • Adept in using the Microsoft Office Suite

  • Able to lift up to 25 lbs.

  • Any additional experience in using social media platforms and basic graphic design programs is a plus.

The University of Memphis requires all employees to successfully complete a criminal background check.

Compensation

  • $20.00 per hour

INTERNS WILL WORK 28 HOURS PER WEEK AND ATTEND A MANDATORY OFFSITE PROGRAM DAY ONE DAY PER WEEK WITH THEIR COHORT.

  • Internship Period: June 2 – August 4

  • Total Weeks: 9 weeks

  • Work Hours per Week: 28 

  • Total Hours: 252

  • Workdays: 4 days per week onsite, Monday–Thursday

PROGRAM DAY:

  • On Fridays, interns will attend an offsite program day with their cohort.

  • These hours are separate from the internship hours.


Requirements, Skills, and Qualifications

The intern must demonstrate a genuine interest in working within a museum and should possess the following skillset:

  • The ability to adjust to changing circumstances and solve any problems that arise

  • The ability to manage their time successfully and effectively

  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to exchange information and ideas effectively to fellow staff members

  • Equally capable of working with fellow museum staff or independently

  • Creativity and the ability to create new ideas and solutions

  • Adept in using the Microsoft Office Suite

  • Able to lift up to 25 lbs.

  • Any additional experience in using social media platforms and basic graphic design programs is a plus.

The University of Memphis requires all employees to successfully complete a criminal background check.

Compensation

  • $20.00 per hour

INTERNS WILL WORK 28 HOURS PER WEEK AND ATTEND A MANDATORY OFFSITE PROGRAM DAY ONE DAY PER WEEK WITH THEIR COHORT.

  • Internship Period: June 2 – August 4

  • Total Weeks: 9 weeks

  • Work Hours per Week: 28 

  • Total Hours: 252

  • Workdays: 4 days per week onsite, Monday–Thursday

PROGRAM DAY:

  • On Fridays, interns will attend an offsite program day with their cohort.

  • These hours are separate from the internship hours.

AMUM seeks a college student (either junior or senior) pursuing a career in museums or a related field to serve as an education intern. The Education Intern will learn fundamental strategies to brainstorming, planning, developing, and implementing educational programs within a museum. AMUM is committed to expanding its programming through the implementation of educational programs developed for K–12th grade students. The intern will assign in developing these programs, which include lesson plans, 3D printing replicas of artworks from the African Art collection, and developing youth-friendly tours that will benefit younger audiences.

Responsibilities

The Education Intern will work with Adriana Dunn, AMUM’s assistant director, and will be responsible for developing educational programming for the museum’s newly expanded African Art gallery titled "Windows on Africa." AMUM is committed to expanding its programming through the implementation of educational programs developed for K-12th grade students.

The intern will:

  • Learn fundamental strategies to brainstorming, planning, developing, and implementing educational programs within a museum.

  • Assist in developing these programs, which include lesson plans, 3D printing replicas of artworks from the African Art collection and developing youth-friendly tours that will benefit younger audiences.

Education Intern

Overview

 

Eligibility

To be eligible for Arts Intern 2025, you must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree and:

  • Currently enrolled as a full-time rising junior (a current sophomore)
    – or –

  • Currently enrolled as a full-time junior – or –

  • Currently enrolled as a full-time senior graduating by fall 2025.

You must either reside or attend college in Memphis.

You must have a Student Aid Index up to $6,250.

Click HERE to apply now!