University of Chicago Divinity School — Provenance Research Internship

Art Institute of Chicago•Chicago, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Art Institute of Chicago is offering an internship in its Provenance Research department, focusing on the collecting history of religious objects. The intern will systematically review archival records across various collecting areas, transferring provenance information into the museum's collection database. This will provide a deep understanding of the collectors and dealers who influenced the Art Institute's collection. Additionally, the intern will conduct in-depth provenance research on a chosen object, culminating in a web article. The intern will be part of a museum-wide cohort, with access to development programs, mentorship, and an intern alumni network.

Requirements

Undergraduate or graduate student; recent graduates (within one year of graduation) will also be considered.
Must be based in or attending school in the Chicagoland area for the duration of the internship.
Willingness to connect with others.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Detail-oriented mindset and demonstrated organizational skills.
Ability to multitask and flexibly prioritize when appropriate.
Interest in religious objects or objects that speak to religious issues.
Interest in the Art Institute’s collection and how art dealers and collectors contributed to its creation.
Interest in reviewing archival documents, such as receipts or ledgers.
Interest in learning about museum documentation practices.
Interest in researching a specific dealer and collector, using resources available in the archives and library.
Interest in sharing this research with the Art Institute’s audiences through online publications.

Responsibilities

Review archival documentation relevant to the provenance of objects in the Art Institute's permanent collection.
Transfer provenance information from archival documentation to a spreadsheet if it's not reflected in the collection management database, to be used for updating records.
Identify an under-researched collector or art dealer whose history can be researched through Chicago's archival documentation and publications available in the Ryerson and Burnham Libraries.
Write an 800-word blog post about the research placement and the chosen art dealer or collector.
Participate in and contribute to the weekly meetings of the Provenance Research department.
Attend intern cohort professional development programs and museum practice seminars.