Rights and Permissions Research Undergraduate Intern

Museum of Fine Arts•Boston, MA

5d•$0 - $17•Onsite

About The Position

The Rights and Permissions Research Undergraduate Intern will support the Imaging and Licensing division of the Registration and Collections department, which manages the Museum’s digital and analog photographic archive of objects, events, galleries, and people. The intern will research and communicate with individual and corporate rights holders for works in the collections, supporting the work of Imaging and Licensing and other Museum departments. This work helps the Museum provide broad access to visual resources while respecting artists’ rights. Supervised by the Coordinator of Rights and Permissions, the intern will learn intellectual property fundamentals related to reproducing visual works and moral rights as they pertain to artists and their works. The intern will gain experience researching and documenting due diligence for rights and reproductions management of an extensive photographic archive, support daily operations, and develop and complete a project suitable for a professional portfolio. This is an onsite internship requiring 10–12 hours per week within Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., from January 22, 2027, through May 7, 2027. The intern must attend orientation on January 22 and scheduled Museum Pathways and Practices professional development courses. Compensation is $16.80 per hour, plus a $90 monthly transportation subsidy subject to tax withholdings.

Requirements

Be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited institution of higher learning during the internship period, pursuing a career in museums, copyright law, or an associated field.
Competence and interest in conducting research using physical records and online resources.
Attention to detail.
Facility with Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Sheets, Adobe Acrobat, and database programs; training in the Museum’s database system will be provided.
Ability to perform tasks professionally and use discretion when working with confidential records.
Ability to work onsite 10–12 hours per week within Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., from January 22, 2027, through May 7, 2027.
Ability to attend orientation on Friday, January 22, 2027, from 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Ability to attend Museum Pathways and Practices courses from 12:30–2:30 p.m. on Fridays: January 29; February 5, 12, 19, and 26; and April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30; and May 7.

Nice To Haves

Previous museum experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

Conduct research to identify and locate rights holders.
Follow up on outstanding permission requests.
Generate permission letters for signature.
Correspond with rights holders when instructed.
Enter copyright information into the appropriate database records.
Accurately record work and ongoing research and produce thoughtful, well-researched due diligence reports.
Prepare and deliver a three-minute final synoptic presentation of the internship as part of the Museum Pathways and Practices professional development course.
Support daily operations and develop and complete a project suitable for a professional portfolio.