Havner Curatorial Intern

Crystal Bridges Museum • Bentonville, AR

11h

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. The Momentary is a contemporary art space that opened to the public on February 22, 2020, in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. 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 community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. You belong here: make the most of this moment. The Havner Curatorial Summer Internship at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is a paid, residential opportunity designed to provide first-hand experience within a curatorial department and meaningful exposure to the operations of a major American art museum. Havner Interns work one-on-one with a member of the Curatorial team and support a variety of projects, including exhibition development, object research, interpretive writing (such as object labels), and initiatives related to the full scope of the museum’s collection, which spans the 18th century to today. As part of Crystal Bridges’ robust summer internship cohort, Havner Interns will join a vibrant community of colleagues across multiple departments. Through orientation, scheduled conversations, and cross-departmental engagements, interns will develop a broad understanding of museum practice while expanding upon their academic training and applying their knowledge in professional, real-world contexts. This internship is open to current undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well as first- and second-year graduate students. The 8-week internship runs from June 1 through July 24, 2026. Interns are expected to work 35–40 hours per week. The stipend is paid biweekly, with undergraduate interns earning $13/hour and graduate interns earning $14/hour. Housing near Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is provided. Crystal Bridges is committed to fostering an equitable, inclusive, and diverse intern cohort and to supporting the next generation of museum professionals. Students from ethnically underrepresented groups in the curatorial field are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements

• Undergraduate: enrolled juniors and seniors
• Graduate: enrolled in the first or second year of graduate school (typically MA student)
• Interest in and/or experience with American art history, architecture, visual and material culture, American studies, craft, Native American art, Latin American art, and contemporary art.
• Completion of at least one American art history course
• Detail-oriented
• Must maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

Responsibilities

• exhibition development
• object research
• interpretive writing (such as object labels)
• initiatives related to the full scope of the museum’s collection, which spans the 18th century to today

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees