This nine-week internship is awarded each summer to eight college students who are interested in art and museum careers, enjoy working with children, and have an interest in medieval art. Interns join the Education Office of The Cloisters museum and gardens, the branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art of medieval Europe, where they receive intensive training about the collection to share with New York City day campers and adult Museum visitors. Through meetings and discussions with curators, educators, conservators, and executive and administrative staff, interns also learn about the many professions that work together to achieve the Museum's mission. Applicants should be responsible and mature individuals who work well both independently and collegially. Experience working with children and experience with public speaking are desirable.
Training
The first three weeks of the program consist of seminars and pedagogy workshops that explore the collection and focus on themes that form the day-camp itineraries. Interns learn to engage diverse audiences through practice tours and post-tour discussions, and explore materials and techniques used by medieval artists through hands-on workshops and field trips.
Gallery Teaching
For five weeks, interns conduct summer gallery workshops consisting of thematic tours followed by craft projects for day campers ranging from 4 to 12 years old.
Special Gallery Talks
The program culminates with a week of special gallery talks in which each intern presents an hour-long talk on a subject of his or her choosing. Interns develop research and presentation skills through weekly assignments and regular meetings with the internship coordinator. Rehearsals with fellow interns and Education staff members help interns achieve their personal best.
Eligibility
Any matriculated college student who will not graduate before August 2014 is eligible to apply. First- and second-year undergraduates are given special consideration.
Dates and Compensation
June 2–August 1, 2014
Full time: five days, thirty-five hours per week
Compensation: approximately $2,925 ($9.29/hour, less applicable taxes and deductions)
Made possible by Mary and Michael Jaharis. Additional support is provided by The Winston Foundation, Inc.
Application Materials
All applicants are required to submit a current résumé, a personal statement, two academic letters of recommendation, and an official transcript from each college/university they have attended. High school transcripts are required for applicants with fewer than two full years of college transcripts. Finalists will be invited to interview at The Cloisters in late February or March.
Note: Applicants must submit a one-time, nonrefundable $50 processing fee. If this fee is a financial burden, send a request for a fee waiver with a brief explanation of need to cloistersinterns@metmuseum.org before submitting your internship application. All fee waiver requests will be reviewed carefully and granted based on each individual's specific circumstances.
The application deadline is January 14, 2014.
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