Art of Europe Paintings & Exhibition Research Graduate Intern

Museum of Fine Arts•Boston, MA

25d•Onsite

About The Position

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. The Art of Europe department seeks a graduate intern to work full time in summer 2026. 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, the Van Otterloo curator of paintings, and other staff, the graduate research intern will undertake research connected to upcoming exhibitions, including topics on Spain, Flemish and Dutch 17th and 18th-century art, as well as gallery displays and documentation of the permanent collection. Interns will receive training and can expect to refine their research skills. Interns will be included in behind-the-scenes visits and learning opportunities. Successful candidates will be mature, detail-oriented, adept with technology and administrative tasks, and will have a demonstrated interest in museum work. Please note any foreign language skills and other proficiencies. The intern must commit to work onsite 35 hours per week (within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters), from June 15 through Aug 21, 2026. Graduate interns are required to attend the Museums in Context professional development course on dates to be announced at the orientation, as well as the June 15 orientation, the “Meet the Leadership Team” and “Final Presentation” sessions of Museum Pathways & Practices series. (These dates will be announced at orientation.) This graduate internship is eligible for paid time off including sick, vacation, and holiday time. The intern will be paid at a rate of $19.95 per hour and will receive a $90 per month transportation subsidy as well as a $1,500 housing subsidy, (paid in two equal payments.) Both subsidies are subject to taxes. 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 commit to work onsite 35 hours per week (within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters), from June 15 through Aug 21, 2026. Graduate interns are required to attend the Museums in Context professional development course on dates to be announced at the orientation. Graduate interns are also required to attend the June 15 orientation as well as the “Meet the Leadership Team” and “Final Presentation” sessions of Museum Pathways & Practices series. (These dates will be announced at orientation.)
Ability to attend orientation on Monday, June 15, 2026, 10am to 3:30pm

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
Ensuring 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 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 and responding to public inquiries
Prepare and offer a 3-minute final synoptic presentation of the internship as part of the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course