2026 Indigenous Art Curatorial Intern: Summer (Housing Not Provided)

Art and Wellness Enterprises•Bentonville, AR

13d•$13 - $14•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for current students and/or career professionals interested in learning, working with, and supporting Indigenous Art within the museum space. The internship will directly support the Curator of Indigenous Art and NAGPRA Officer, providing insight and guidance on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a federal law implemented in museum spaces, and developing skills to pursue a career in the arts, cultural, and non-profit sectors. The hours for this internship will accommodate the needs of both the intern and Curator. The selected intern will discuss and confirm a schedule with their supervisor to ensure a comfortable and manageable work arrangement. This opportunity will be in person at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, offering hands-on experience and direct collaboration with the Curator and museum staff. Ideal Candidate The ideal intern will have a strong interest in curatorial duties and possess soft skills such as time management, critical thinking, and effective communication. Due to the nature of the position, initiative and a willingness to learn and ask questions are strongly encouraged. Note: 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. In your view, what role should museums play in preserving and presenting Indigenous art and culture? How do you ensure accuracy and integrity in your research process? If given the opportunity to lead a special project during this internship, what area of arts education or museum-school collaboration would you focus on, and why? What interests you most about working with Indigenous Art in a museum setting? How does this internship align with your academic or professional goals?

Requirements

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 in the coordination and execution of programs and events related to school partnerships, including arts integration initiatives and teacher workshops.
Support communication efforts with school partners, including principals, teachers, and district administrators, ensuring timely updates and information sharing.
Help develop and curate educational resources and materials for schools involved in the Crystal Bridges Arts Integration Partnership.
Participate in the planning and facilitation of meetings, workshops, and training sessions for educators.
Conduct research and compile reports on best practices in arts education, arts integration, and school-community partnerships.
Provide administrative support to the Learning and Engagement team, including data entry, maintaining contact lists, and scheduling.
Assist in the evaluation and reporting of partnership outcomes, including gathering feedback from school participants.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams at Crystal Bridges to support broader educational initiatives.
Develop and implement a special project informed by the intern’s academic focus and career aspirations, with guidance from the Program Manager.
Meet with the reporting supervisor at least 2–3 times a week.
Assist with preparations for the museum reinstallation of the permanent collection and expansion.
Research permanent collection objects that will be part of the Reinstallation and Expansion.
Research a minimum of 10 objects on the exhibition checklist.
Review object files.
Catalog cards.
Archive correspondence.
Archive museum publications.
Present object-based research, including provenance statements and text about objects' history, use, and design.