Learning and Public Engagement Summer Internship 2020
The Department of Learning and Public Engagement (LPE) invites students to apply for an immersive eight-week experience in museum teaching. Through this professional learning experience, interns will participate in an initial two-week orientation to museum education theory and practice and then engage in hands-on learning by designing and facilitating tours and programs for a variety of audiences. Activities include:
- leading thematic tours for youth groups, intergenerational family groups, and adult audiences
- designing and facilitating gallery activities
- participating in research and writing projects
- attending weekly museum career seminar
- active reflection through writing and conversation
Benefits include:
- working with professional LPE staff to understand the field of museum learning and developing a teaching practice
- gaining behind-the-scenes insight into the operations of a world-class global museum
- building a network of peers and mentors
- accessing the cultural landscape of Chicago, including free admission to museums in Chicago and other cities, and discounts at the Art Institute shops and restaurants
- compensation, with an additional housing stipend available on a limited bases—see the essay questions below
Intern Information
Internship dates: Monday, June 15, 2020 through Friday, August 7, 2020
Length: 8 weeks
Hours per week: 35
Number of openings: 8
Compensation: Paid
Required Qualifications and Desired Skills:
Qualified applicants will be senior undergraduate, graduated senior, or Master’s Degree candidate students (applicants must have completed their junior year by May 2020 and will not have graduated before December 2019). In addition to these requirements, applicants should possess:
- Interest in the arts and/or museums, demonstrated through academic study, work experience, or by other means
- Experience teaching, assisting teaching, tutoring, or mentoring in an informal or formal education setting such as a school, camp, college, after-school program, community center, or museum
- Strong communication, creative thinking, and research skills
- Strong preference will be given to candidates who speak Spanish fluently
The Learning and Public Engagement Summer Internship program is open to all qualified candidates, with priority to those who demonstrate commitment to the goal of promoting inclusive, pluralistic museums. Individuals from groups historically underrepresented in the art museum field are particularly encouraged to apply.
To apply
Send a resume, a brief cover letter, and your responses to three of the prompts below in essay form. Combine all materials into one document and upload it in your online application on or before February 24, 2020.
Selected applicants will be asked to interview, either in person or by teleconference (non-local candidates). Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.
Essay Prompts Questions
Candidates should select and respond to 2 of the first 3 prompts. All candidates should respond to prompt #4. An additional housing stipend may be available to a limited number of selected interns; please indicate in your response to prompt #4 whether these funds would be necessary condition of participating in this internship, beneficial but not necessary, or unneeded.
- Describe an experience you have had teaching, tutoring, mentoring, or presenting to groups of people. Describe the audience, the content, your approach as presenter/facilitator, and what you learned about yourself as a result of the experience. (200 words max)
- Use a recent experience to describe yourself as a collaborator. What do you consider your strengths in a collaborative role, and what are areas you would like to grow or strengthen? (200 words max)
- Critique an experience in which you were the learner and a prof/peer/other was the educator—what was good, not so good, how might that inform your approach in this program? (200 words max)
- Barriers to pursuing a career in the arts and museums can take many forms. Discuss what challenge or challenges you face (personal, socioeconomic, educational, other) as you consider a career in the arts and museums, and how this internship could play a role in surmounting those obstacles.
The Museum Education Summer Internship is funded in part through a generous donation from the James and Madeleine McMullan Family Foundation, whose mission is to support underserved communities.
**Apply through our website at: www.artic.edu/careers**
The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace.