2024 Museum Editorial Intern - Summer

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. 

Job Description:

Position Title: 2024 Museum Editorial Intern-Summer

Position Type: Paid Intern

Division: Content Strategy                          

Department: Marketing and Communications  

Reports to: Content Strategy Director                   

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities.

We are passionate about transforming lives through experiences that encourage the discovery of new ideas, expanded dreams, and inspired actions.

As an intern at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, you will be empowered to think creatively, ask questions, and make suggestions to help move the institution forward.

Position Summary:

The Museum Editorial Intern assists the Content Strategy team, that works in collaboration with curatorial, marketing, PR, creative, design, and learning & engagement teams, in formulating narrative and interpretive strategies for artworks and exhibitions, as well as marketing and communication content in support of brand management strategies for Crystal Bridges and the Momentary.

This internship provides a unique opportunity to learn about and contribute to the research, planning, and implementation of communication tools for the Museum’s exhibitions, art installations, and brand campaigns. These include items such as brochures, activity guides, rack cards, labels, audio tours, and other digital tools that encourage guest engagement and learning (in the galleries, on the grounds, and in other museum-related spaces). Other writing and editing assignments for our blog and other content channels are available as well.

The goal is to create an impactful and rewarding experience for our museum guests. This internship offers hands-on training in the museum profession and an overview of museum exhibition operations from the early planning stages through implementation. It also offers insights into brand management strategy and carefully crafted marketing campaigns.

The ideal candidate is passionate about artistic expression, the arts in general, and has interest and skills in critical thinking, creative writing, and on-line and library research. Applicants must be ready to think creatively in unfamiliar situations and be prepared for hands on experience. A diplomatic and flexible disposition, with the ability to collaborate amongst a diverse group of people, is highly desired.

Principle Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

• The Museum Editorial Intern will actively participate and perform duties in some of the following functional areas:
• Assist the content strategy team in creating interpretive elements for exciting and engaging exhibitions.
• Artist and art object research (online and in library), summarizing findings.
• Writing and editing copy for various projects, including blogposts.
• Engage in creative brainstorming.
• Assist in conducting visitor evaluation and data collection.
• Support editorial and marketing manager in reviewing copy from a wide range of inputs, including programming blurbs, event descriptions, and more.
• Meeting attendance
• Attend project meetings to collaborate with curators, interpretive staff, educators, registrars, preparators and others.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3rd or 4th year Interdisciplinary Humanities student (college level) preferred; can include (but is not limited to) majors/minors such as Advertising, American Studies, African & African American Studies, Economics, English, Graphic Design, Indigenous Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, Marketing, Art History, Public Relations, Studio Art, Cultural Anthropology, Communication, English, History, Journalism/Strategic Media, and Sociology.
• Excellent writing skills (a writing sample may be requested upon interview)
• Dependable and punctual
• Interns will be required to work up to 40 hours per week; a mutually agreeable schedule will be determined in conversation with the hiring manager.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required, and familiarity with library and Web-based search tools is strongly preferred.
• A background check is required.
• Must maintain confidentiality of all non-public Museum information.
• Possible course credit can be negotiated with University departmental supervisor.

Schedule:

• Month: June 3, 2024-July 26, 2024
• Weeks: 8 weeks
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor

Timeline:

• Applications due: March 30th
• Intern selected by: April 12th
• Anticipated Start Date: June 3rd

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Compensation

• High School Interns: $12.00
• Undergraduate Interns: $13.00
• Graduate Interns: $14.00

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands:  In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.
• Work environment:  Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. The noise level in the museum work environment is usually low to moderate.
• If the intern’s personal equipment is used, the museum accepts no liability for any damage caused to said equipment while being used for museum purposes, nor loss or corruption of electronic files on devices.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.