Art of Europe Paintings & Exhibition Research Graduate Intern

Museum of Fine Arts•Boston, MA

6d•$0 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

This is a two-semester-long internship. The Art of Europe department seeks a graduate intern to work part time for the academic year, from September 2026 to May 2027. The European paintings created before 1800 in Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, constitute one of the strongest collections in North America. There are especially deep holdings in Italian gold-ground works and seventeenth-century Dutch and Flemish paintings. There is also a strong group of Spanish paintings across several centuries; this Spanish collection may be part of a major exhibition in a future year. We aim for candidates who desire a deeper familiarity with this important paintings collection and the research tasks of a curator. Working with the chair of the department and other staff, the graduate research intern will undertake research connected to upcoming exhibitions, as well as gallery displays and documentation of the pre-1800 portion of the permanent collection. Some time may be devoted to future galleries of Medieval art. Interns will receive training and can expect to refine their research skills. In addition to the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course, interns will be included in behind-the-scenes visits and learning opportunities organized by the Art of Europe. As we amplify our efforts toward becoming a truly inclusive institution and fostering the next generation of museum staff, the MFA actively encourages students from all backgrounds to apply to the program.

Requirements

Enrollment in (or within two years of completion) of an M.A. or Ph.D. graduate program in art history or similar discipline, such as history
Demonstrable substantial experience using libraries to research European art.
Strong reading knowledge of at least one European language besides English
Ability to work onsite 18 - 20 hours per week, within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters, between Sept 11, 2026 – May 14, 2027.
Graduate interns are required to attend the following professional development sessions during the semester: Orientation on Sept 11, Meet the Leadership Team (date to be announced at orientation), and Final Presentations on Dec 4. They are welcome to attend any other sessions that appeal to them.
Ability to attend orientation on Fri, Sept 11, 2026, 10am to 3:30pm.

Nice To Haves

Mature, detail-oriented, adept with technology and administrative tasks, and will have a demonstrated interest in museum work.
Foreign language skills and other proficiencies.

Responsibilities

Augmenting painting object files with new research conducted in art history libraries, including the compilation of bibliographies and exhibition histories on works in the collection.
Reconciling this information with that in the MFA collections database
Ensure complete and accurate documentation in hard copy and electronic formats.
Library research related to upcoming exhibitions and preparation of research summaries, tracking down sources online or in libraries.
Searching for potential loans from other institutions via databases and publications
Updating the working checklist for exhibitions and installations in the form of PowerPoints, spreadsheets, and lists
Editing and proofreading connected to the production of exhibition catalogues.
Translation of research texts into English
Opportunities to learn about and assist with daily tasks, both research and clerical, such as drafting labels and wall texts, creating PowerPoints, and responding to public inquiries
Prepare and offer a 3–5-minute final synoptic presentation of the internship as part of the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course