Background
As the only institution of its kind in North America, and one of only a few in the world devoted exclusively to metalwork, the Metal Museum leads the way in the celebration, recognition, and promotion of the field of fine metalwork.
The Metal Museum achieves its mission through four interrelated programming areas - rotating exhibitions of historic and contemporary metalwork; the Permanent Collection of objects, books, folios, and archives; the Metals Studios comprised of a Blacksmith Shop, Foundry, small metals lab, and design lab that provide educational opportunities for metalsmiths through artistic creation; and vibrant community education and engagement programming for learners of all ages. This broad, yet dedicated, focus attracts visitors, artists, and patrons from all 50 states and from across the globe to the Museum each year. Thousands more are served during off-site programming and community events across Shelby County through the Mini Mobile Metal Museum
Details
INTERNS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROGRAM.
Education Intern
The Education will work with the Metal Museum’s Department of Education and Outreach staff to assist in implementing engaging educational programming for our two summer camps, Forging the Future and Metal Marvels STEAM Camp. This hands-on internship offers a unique opportunity to gain professional experience in museum education at a nationally recognized institution dedicated to the art and craft of fine metalworking.
During our camps, the intern will assist in facilitating activities for middle and high school students and will have the opportunity to design lesson plans for future hands-on activities that align with the camp’s themes. The intern will present their research on STEAM camp activities and their experience at the Metal Museum to the museum staff at the end of the internship.
Responsibilities
Assist in facilitating activities and workshops for middle and high school students for two summer camps.
Conduct research on middle and high school STEAM activities that align with the camp’s themes and goals.
Design creative and educational lesson plans for future programming that align with the camp's themes and goals.
Support museum education and outreach initiatives, including assisting with other educational programming and outreach events as needed.
Participate in general museum operations, such as staff meetings and visitor interactions.
Create a presentation of their research and experience during the internship and present it to the Museum staff.
Overview
Requirements, Skills, and Qualifications
Soft skills the intern will need to demonstrate to succeed in this position include:
Ability to clearly and effectively convey information to students, parents, and colleagues during camp sessions and meetings.
Proficiency in writing.
Active listening to feedback from museum staff and input from students to adapt and improve their work.
Understanding and address the needs, interests, and challenges of middle and high school students.
Working effectively as part of a team with museum staff and volunteers.
Responding to unexpected changes in schedules, participant needs, or project development
Finding creative solutions to challenges that may arise during the planning or execution of activities.
Balancing multiple tasks such as research, lesson planning, and assisting with summer camp activities.
Developing engaging, age-appropriate activities that are both educational and inspiring.
Taking initiative in leading activities and managing a group of students.
Encouraging participation and enthusiasm among campers.
Understanding how to interact with people of different ages, backgrounds, and learning styles effectively.
To succeed in this position, the Education Intern will need hard skills in:
Research
Hands-on activity design
Microsoft Office
Classroom management
Project implementation
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 13 – August 15
Total Weeks: 9 weeks
Work Hours per Week: 28
Total Hours: 252
Workdays: 4 days per week onsite, Mondays–Thursdays, 9 a.m.– 5 p.m.
PROGRAM DAY:
On Fridays, interns will attend an offsite program day with their cohort.
These hours are separate from the internship hours.
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.