McMullan Arts Leadership Internship, Photography and Media

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. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Position Summary

The Art Institute of Chicago’s department of Photography and Media seeks an enthusiastic and organized intern interested in collection management and curation. The intern will learn about the Art Institute’s collection by assisting the department’s collection manager with cataloging and object research, and publishing original web-based content on objects in the collection. Through mentorship with the collection manager and curators in the department, the intern will gain insight into the work of a photography and media curator and museum careers more broadly.

The intern will join a museum-wide intern cohort and have access to a range of programs to support their development in addition to their placement in Photography and Media. Mentorship is provided throughout the experience, and connections with an intern alumni network will be established.

McMullan Arts Leadership Internship Program Goals

The McMullan Arts Leadership internship program is part of a museum-wide effort to provide students the opportunity to gain experience, career awareness, networks, and skills that will position them to thrive as future art museum leaders.

This program specifically aims to support students who encounter economic challenges when considering a career in the arts. Aligned with this goal, we aim to help shape a diverse group of leaders whose actions are informed by a wide range of perspectives, varying career paths, and values inspired by their own lived experiences. 

Internship Outcomes

In this position, the intern will have the opportunity to:

• Develop a foundational knowledge of the inner workings of a curatorial department and the work; of a collection manager and curator;


• Develop a knowledge of current scholarship on photography and media;


• Engage and work with museum professionals in various fields and departments;


• Experience conducting collection and exhibition research;


• Develop mentor relationships with field practitioners;


• Build peer-to-peer relationships with fellow interns.

Responsibilities

With guidance from the position’s mentors, the intern will:

• Assist collection manager with collection reorganization;


• Assist with research for objects and forthcoming exhibitions;


• Pursue independent research and develop web-based content for one or more collection objects;


• Participate in regular meetings with members of the department and the mentor of this position: the collection manager of Photography and Media;


• Attend intern cohort professional development programs and museum practice seminars.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate student; recent graduates (within one year of graduation) will also be considered;


• Applicants must be based in the Chicagoland area and/or attending school in the Chicagoland area over the course of the internship term;


• Major or focus in art history, media studies, cultural/visual studies, design, or arts administration. Museum, institutional, or art world experience will also be considered;


• A basic knowledge of photographic history and technique is preferred;


• Familiarity with MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, and Google Suite;


• Ability to work collaboratively and independently;


• Exceptional attention to detail;


• Excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills;


• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

Compensation & Benefits

Hiring Range: $17.50/hour (Maximum 14 hours per week, for a total of up to 448 hours over the course of the internship.)

This position is not benefits eligible.

• Job Classification: Hourly


• Employment Category: Intern 

Schedule: This is a part-time, 32-week position for a currently enrolled or recently graduated undergraduate or graduate student. The intern will work 14 hours per week, for a total of up to 448 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 student is strongly encouraged to attend. These programs will occur during the week; 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 based on necessity.

Application Instructions

You must upload all of the requested materials below (resume and essay responses) into only one pdf document and list your last name and “AY 26-27” in the title of the file (example: [LAST NAME] AY 26-27.pdf.) Please upload your materials where asked in the online application.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not be considered if any requested application element is missing.

To apply for this internship, tell us your story. We want to understand who you are, what motivates you, how you think, and where you’re coming from. Please submit the following materials:

• Resume


• Short Essays: Instead of a cover letter, please respond to the following questions in short essays (no more than 300 words per essay.) We encourage you to provide specific examples to support your answers or to illustrate your ideas:




• What about this job description interests you the most?


• With the mission of the McMullan Arts Leadership intern program in mind, what perspectives might you bring to this role that you think museums need more of?


• How do you envision this opportunity helping you towards your professional goals?




• Digital Portfolio: A website, Dropbox, or Google Drive hyperlink made accessible on your résumé showing examples of design work

DEADLINE: The deadline to submit an application to this position is Friday, August 7 at 11:59 pm CDT. We will not accept late applications.

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a video interview approximately two weeks after the application deadline.

Accessibility

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at  [email protected].