Museum Collections Intern-Work Study
About The Position
Role Overview: This work study position is facilitated through Ivy Tech in partnership with the Wayne County Historical Museum. The student will assist the Museum’s Collections Manager with a range of responsibilities, including collections storage, inventory backlog, research, and artifact processing. Tasks will also involve careful handling of artifacts, assisting with exhibit design and fabrication, and writing and mounting exhibit labels. Additional duties may be assigned as needed. This is an ideal opportunity for students interested in careers in museums, public history, archives, library science, anthropology, archaeology, art history, or nonprofit management. Key Responsibilities: The intern will work closely with the Museum’s varied collections, assisting with both the inventory backlog of stored objects and newly donated items. Responsibilities will include provenance research, building storage containers and housing for artifacts, inputting data into the museum’s collection management system, and photographing items for internal documentation. The intern will gain hands-on experience in object handling, artifact cleaning, and preparing materials for exhibition or photography. This role offers a practical introduction to collections management, including skills in inventory procedures, research, collections care, and digital documentation. The intern will also assist with organizing and relocating artifacts, processing new donations, and addressing the museum’s acquisitions backlog. In addition to collections work, the intern will have opportunities to engage with other departments to develop a broader understanding of museum operations. Participation in staff meetings, networking opportunities, and informational interviews with museum professionals will be available to support professional growth. Additional duties may be assigned to further enhance the intern’s learning and experience. Work Environment: Interns will be placed at the Wayne County Historical Museum for on-site work at the direction of the Museum’s Collections Manager.
Requirements
- Completed a FAFSA on file demonstrating financial need.
- Maintain a minimum of 6 credit hours of enrollment in eligible courses
- Maintain an aid-eligible Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status
- Currently enrolled as an Ivy Tech Community College student.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills- compassion and strong relationship-building ability with regard to residents and representatives of partner organizations alike.
- A positive and proactive attitude.
Nice To Haves
- Basic knowledge of the Microsoft Suite and Canva or similar basic graphics program preferred.
Responsibilities
- Assist the Museum’s Collections Manager with a range of responsibilities, including collections storage, inventory backlog, research, and artifact processing.
- Careful handling of artifacts
- Assisting with exhibit design and fabrication
- Writing and mounting exhibit labels
- Provenance research
- Building storage containers and housing for artifacts
- Inputting data into the museum’s collection management system
- Photographing items for internal documentation
- Object handling
- Artifact cleaning
- Preparing materials for exhibition or photography
- Organizing and relocating artifacts
- Processing new donations
- Addressing the museum’s acquisitions backlog
- Participation in staff meetings
- Networking opportunities
- Informational interviews with museum professionals
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
