Graduate Internship: Decorative Arts of the Gulf South, Summer 2026

The Historic New Orleans Collection • New Orleans, LA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Decorative Arts of the Gulf South (DAGS) Graduate Internship offers an exceptional opportunity for graduate-level students to explore the intersection of decorative arts, curatorial practices, and digital humanities.

The intern(s) will:
Help review the existing DAGS object catalog, ensuring accuracy and consistent vocabulary across the database
Photograph and catalog historic objects for the DAGS database
Learn about Louisiana material culture on visits to museums and historic sites in the New Orleans area
Research an object in the DAGS database and present a short final report on it

Requirements

• Current enrollment in or recent completion of a graduate program related to art history, decorative arts, museum studies, or a relevant field.
• Applicants must have successfully completed at least 12-hours of coursework of their graduate program before June 2026.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex data and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective reporting and presentations.
• Experience in conducting research and familiarity with curatorial practices in the museum or gallery context.
• Some prior experience studying or interpreting historic artifacts.
• Regular attendance is required.
• Interns are expected to complete a minimum of 20 hours of engagement per week at the Williams Research Center.
• Within the six-week duration of this program, the intern will complete a minimum of 100 hours of engagement, not to exceed a total of 150-hours.
• Interns should exhibit professional behavior, including punctuality, respect for the organization’s staff and patrons, and adherence to library policies.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of decorative arts history, particularly within the Gulf South, is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Help review the existing DAGS object catalog, ensuring accuracy and consistent vocabulary across the database
• Photograph and catalog historic objects for the DAGS database
• Learn about Louisiana material culture on visits to museums and historic sites in the New Orleans area
• Research an object in the DAGS database and present a short final report on it

Benefits

• Interns will receive a stipend of $2,600, to be paid upon completion of the program.
• HNOC will provide housing and reimburse interns for travel expenses to and from New Orleans.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees