2026 Archives Intern: Summer (Housing Not Provided)

Crystal Bridges Museum•Bentonville, AR

21d•$14•Onsite

About The Position

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission. The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where the community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment. The Archives team will be hiring two Archives Interns this summer. Please note that only one of these positions will include housing; the second role is intended for local students. The Archives Intern will assist with the arrangement, digitization, and description of archival collections, gaining hands-on experience within an art museum setting. Under the guidance of the Director of Library and Archives and the Archives Fellow, the Intern will support processing the Dr. Francis V. O’Connor Research Collection, which includes artist files, manuscripts, and materials related to O’Connor’s scholarship on Jackson Pollock and artists of the Federal Art Project within the Works Progress Administration. The ideal candidate is passionate about archives, art history, American history, and/or digital innovation, and demonstrates a willingness to learn, take initiative, problem-solve, and collaborate effectively. Interns that do not submit a resume AND cover letter will not be considered for this opportunity. Please answer the following questions in your cover letter when submitting your application. What draws you to archival work, and how have your academic, personal, or professional experiences shaped your interest in preserving and interpreting historical materials? Describe a time when you had to organize, analyze, or make sense of a large amount of information. What approach did you take, and what did you learn? This internship offers hands-on experience across physical and digital workflows. What skills or knowledge areas are you hoping to strengthen during your time in the archives?

Requirements

Academic background in library or information science, art history, or a related field
Superior oral and written communication skills
Dependable and punctual
Knowledge of Microsoft apps is required; familiarity with archival databases (the museum uses ArchivEra) and digitization equipment/software is a plus
A background check is required
Must maintain confidentiality of all non-public museum information
Possible course credit can be negotiated with Intern’s departmental supervisor
To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.

Responsibilities

Assist Library and Archives staff with the assessment, arrangement, and stabilization of physical records by creating inventories, conducting research, and rehousing materials
Digitize archival records; name, describe, and organize digital files
Assist in the creation of archival database records and collection finding aids
Other duties as assigned

Benefits

The applicant selected for this position will receive an $800 relocation allowance, issued 3–5 business days after completing the first week of the internship program.
All relocation assistance and housing support are considered taxable income and will be reflected on the following year’s W-2.

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