McDermott Intern for Asian Art

Description

Position: McDermott Intern for Asian Art

Reports to: Cecil and Ida Green Curator of Asian Art

Level: Intern

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid holiday, personal and sick time; $500 stipend for professional development 

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Internship Period: August 28, 2023 - May 17, 2024 

Salary: $15/hour, 35 hours per week

Scope of Position:

Under the guidance of the Curator of Asian Art, the intern will assist in the care and maintenance of the Dallas Museum of Art’s Asian art collection and support ongoing research and documentation, including creating or updating the Museum’s Asian art physical and digital object files. The intern will vet and augment the existing documentation of ownership, exhibition history, and publication references for objects in the Asian art collection. The intern will conduct research and writing in support of the collection area’s goals, which may also include potential acquisitions, upcoming exhibitions, and/or future rotations. The intern will have the opportunity to work on projects which could include presenting a docent training, creating web content, or contributing to gallery didactic texts. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support ongoing research and documentation of the Dallas Museum of Art’s Asian art collection, including but not limited to objects from East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, and West Asia
• Conduct primary and secondary source research utilizing a multitude of resources, including object files and the Museum's Mayer Library
• Vet and augment existing documentation concerning history of ownership, exhibition history, and publication references
• Conduct research and writing in support of the Asian art collection area’s goals, which may also include for possible acquisitions, upcoming exhibitions, and/or future rotations
• Provide weekly status updates about ongoing research and project progress
• Support other curatorial tasks under the supervision of the curator as needed

Internship Goals:

• Expand art historical object-based research skills, particularly in Asian art
• Learn best curatorial practices for basic provenance research and compilation skills
• Gain experience with writing in a museum context
• Ascertain professional goals and interests through the support of mentorship
• Develop professional communication and interpersonal skills through collaboration with Museum colleagues
• Understand the roles and functions of different staff within the Museum as well as the relationship between the departments and how they all function together to comprise the organization 

Requirements

Education, Experience, and Certification:

• Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree in art history prior to the start of the internship; emphasis on Asian art encouraged
• Reading proficiency in an Asian language highly desirable 

Key Qualifications:

• Demonstrated research proficiency with attention to detail
• Excellent time management and analysis skills
• Ability to work collaboratively on projects with supervisor while also working independently as projects dictate

Application Process

McDermott Internship Program applications must include all of the below items in order to be complete. Please ensure you have reviewed the list below closely and all files are included with your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered and late materials will not be accepted. If you have any difficulty with the application process or the Paylocity platform, please first reach out to internships@dma.org for assistance.

Upload and attach your resume, personal statement cover letter, writing sample, and two letters of recommendation in your application form, as specified below. If your two references would prefer to submit their letters directly, please direct them to submit the letter of recommendation through the McDermott Internship Recommendation Form. All items must be received no later than March 17, 2023.

Please save the files with your last name and document type in the title: e.g. Smith_Cover Letter.

Resume or CV

Submit in application under Select Resume to Upload

Personal Statement Cover Letter

A detailed one to two page cover letter explaining your interest in an art museum career. Include information regarding your personal learning expectations for the internship; any prior museum experience; and any art and art history related experience.

Submit in application under Upload Cover Letter

Writing Sample

No more than one page of text that provides an example of your writing within an academic context.

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files

Two Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic reference. Please list these individuals in the reference list of the application. 

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files or 

Direct your references to submit through McDermott Internship Recommendation Form 

Our Core Values

• Act with Integrity: We are honest and ethical.
• Build Inclusivity: We create spaces where everyone can feel like they belong.
• Communicate Respectfully: We listen intentionally and advocate for diverse perspectives.
• Embrace and Drive Change: We are innovative, creative, and solutions driven.
• Foster Connections: We collaborate around shared goals.
• Maintain Balance: We encourage ourselves and each other to reflect and recharge.
• Remain Curious: We pursue personal and professional learning.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.

Equity

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all.

Diversity

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity.

Inclusion

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture.

EOE

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.