Internship Programs

The Dayton Art Institute can provide a wide variety of educational and professional training opportunities for students interested in a museum career. As the premier arts institution in the Miami Valley, we have established a national and international reputation for our collection, exhibition, and educational programs. Our collections include American, African, Asian, European, Oceanic, and pre-Columbian art, with curators in each of these areas as well as photography and textiles. The exhibition program features major projects in all of these areas, as well as other exhibitions on cultures from elsewhere in the world. The educational programs reach tens of thousands of children, students, and adults from throughout the Miami Valley each year. In addition, we have received national awards for our educational programs for the visually impaired.

Purpose

The Dayton Art Institute’s Student Internship Program is intended to provide students with first hand professional experiences in a museum setting and an opportunity to become familiar with typical art museum programs and activities. Internships are designed primarily for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students. These non-paid internships are typically available in the Curatorial, Education, Registration, Exhibition Design and Preparation, Library and Marketing departments. Students serve as an assistant to mid- and senior level museum staff members. Students are introduced to the museum’s activities as a whole as well as the individual department’s regular activities. The museum trains the students to carry out tasks assigned to them by department staff, thus providing the intern with valuable experience while at the same time the intern contributes to the museum’s ongoing activities and programs.

Although internships are non-paid positions, we seek to provide the student with projects relevant to the student’s professional goals, making the best use of the student’s knowledge and interests. Academic credit may be received depending on the intern’s college program.

Duration of Internship

After successfully completing a formal application and interview, once accepted, interns are placed within a department based on their educational background and career goals. Internships are designed to last at least 2 weeks and typically no more than 12 weeks or the equivalent of a school term or semester. Interns are expected to work 8 to 10 hours per week, or as otherwise indicated. Schedules are arranged to meet both the needs of the student and the museum. Applications should be made 30 days prior to the proposed starting date or as soon as possible.

Expectations

Interns will have basic research, writing, and computer skills. Interns will maintain a regular schedule, be punctual, and work effectively in a professional manner. Interns will be willing to take on a variety of tasks as determined by the supervising staff. Interns will be able to comfortably interact with visitors to the museum. Interns will attend various meetings throughout the museum as determined by the supervising staff member. Interns will be willing to work with people of all ages if the project requires.

Internship Application

To apply for an internship, please submit a letter of interest referencing the position, a resume of education and employment, the dates of the proposed internship and the number of hours per week, and one letter of recommendation. Send these materials to: The Dayton Art Institute, Attn: Monica Walker, Human Resources Manager, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton OH 45405-4700. If possible, please submit at least 30 days prior to the proposed starting date.

For additional information on museum internships, contact the Human Resources Department at mwalker@daytonart.org.

Available Internships

Research Assistant Intern

The Dayton Art institute is seeking a candidate with art history and research experience to fill the position of Research Assistant Intern to the Education and Curatorial Departments. The position is available immediately.

Primary Responsibilities and Specific Duties:
The primary task of the Research Assistant Intern is to support the development of an online exhibition. They will be expected to conduct initial research and locate supplementary content for object in our permanent collection. General duties include in-depth research, sourcing material, and writing of some digital content under the guidance of the Education and Curatorial Staff. This research will be online, in the library, and in the archives. The Intern will also need to be able to work unsupervised and on their own initiative.

Requirements and Experience:
A successful candidate must have strong research skills and posses the ability to find and review both digital and physical research material. A familiarity research databases, archive research and detailed record keeping are required. They must also have the ability and personality to work closely with the Associate Educator for Digital Content and other curatorial staff. An advanced knowledge and study of art history is required for this position.

This is a temporary, unpaid position.

To apply, please submit a letter of interest referencing the position, a resume of education and employment and one letter of recommendation. Send these materials to: The Dayton Art Institute, Attn: Monica Walker, Human Resources Manager, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton OH 45405-4700 or by email to mwalker@daytonart.org.