Intern, Artful Healing - Beyond the Spectrum
The Learning and Community Engagement (LCE) division is instrumental in making the MFA a center of cultural activity, understanding, and connections. We have a deep respect for our audiences and intend for that to be reflected in the ways we welcome, inspire and engage, fuel curiosity, and support creativity. Across the departments of LCE (Learning, Interpretation, Public Programs and Inclusion), we facilitate visitors’ connections and dialogue—with works of art and with one another—across communities, time, and place. Through programs, events, interpretive resources, and community partnerships we create experiences designed to foster informed dialogue, to illustrate varied perspectives, and honor the voices of our visitors, artists, staff, and volunteers—both long-standing and new—and to promote diversity within our ideas, identities, and experiences. LCE strives to serve as a model for the museum field in the presentation and interpretation of art through civic engagement with public, community, and learning opportunities.
The Artful Healing internship is a unique opportunity for students who are interested in community arts, art therapy, and careers in arts & health fields. The intern will work with museum educators to support the MFA’s Artful Healing and Beyond the Spectrum programs. The internship requires work on-site in the museum, as well as remote work.
Through this experience, the intern will gain hands-on experience in lesson planning and teaching in an out-of-school setting, and familiarity with best practices for working with youth on the autism spectrum. The intern will also develop art-making skills (no prior art-making experience is required), while receiving direct guidance and mentorship from experienced teachers and museum professionals, and will meet and connect with other interns and museum professionals from many areas of
For the summer 2023 semester, the intern must be able to work 6-10 hours per week - including 2 Saturday mornings per month (required) and at least one weekday - from June 13 through August 25, (including two hours on Thursdays to participate in the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course.)
Interns will be paid $16.00 per hour.
As we amplify our efforts toward becoming a truly inclusive institution, ensuring that diversity, equity, and access are lived values, we actively encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply to the program.
Essential Functions:
- Assist in planning and teaching Beyond the Spectrum classes, including researching artworks in the museum, assisting the primary teacher during classes, engaging with students and families, leading portions of class discussion, and helping with hands-on activities
- Complete pre-class prep including materials prep, creating sample artworks, and drafting class reminder emails
- Assist in administrative duties (will be trained on email platforms)
- Assist instructors in planning, preparing, and implementing Artful Healing sessions – requires working on-site at the MFA.
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in and returning to an undergraduate degree program immediately following the internship period
- Familiarity with the physical and educational needs of youth on the autism spectrum, or strong interest in learning
- Ability to commit to 10 hours per week, (including 2 Saturday mornings per month), and at least one weekday in person from June 13 through Aug 25 – including two hours on Thursdays to participate in the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course.)
- Ability to work onsite 6-10 hours per week (including 2 required Saturday mornings per month from June 12 through Aug 25), including two hours per week on Thursdays, participating in the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course
- Ability to attend orientation on Tues, June 13, 10am -3:30pm
To apply, you must upload a single document (Word or PDF, only), containing you cover letter and resume, via the ADP portal Internships | Museum of Fine Arts Boston (mfa.org) ASAP, but no later than Fri, Mar 24, 2023.