Launching Your Art Career: Internships at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Beyond
The Philadelphia region boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, offering numerous opportunities for aspiring museum professionals, artists, and arts administrators to gain invaluable experience through internships. From the prestigious Philadelphia Museum of Art to smaller, specialized institutions, a diverse range of internships cater to various interests and career goals. These programs provide hands-on training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, serving as crucial stepping stones for individuals seeking to establish themselves in the competitive art world.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Internship Program
The Philadelphia Museum of Art stands as a beacon for those seeking a career in the arts. Its internship program is meticulously designed to introduce students to the multifaceted operations of a major metropolitan museum. It aims to foster awareness of diverse career paths within the field, offering experiences that extend beyond the scope of traditional academic settings. An internship here is not just a resume builder; it's an immersive educational, professional, and personal journey.
Through this program, interns cultivate a practical understanding of a professional workplace. They benefit from personalized mentorship, acquiring tangible skills applicable to various museum roles. Furthermore, interns participate in professional development sessions and build connections with museum staff and fellow interns, expanding their professional network. The museum actively encourages applications from individuals of all cultural and academic backgrounds, striving to create a diverse and inclusive environment.
Departmental Placement and Opportunities
Interns are strategically placed within specific departments based on a thorough evaluation of their experiences and professional aspirations. While placements vary annually depending on the museum's needs, nearly every department has hosted interns over the program's extensive 40+ year history. The coordinator of the Museum Studies Internship Program provides specific placement details to finalists upon acceptance into the program.
Internship opportunities span a wide array of museum functions, including:
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- Advancement: Interns assist in cultivating relationships with donors and prospective donors, contributing to fundraising efforts through gifts, grants, sponsorships, and gifts-in-kind.
- Conservation: Interns gain insights into the meticulous world of art conservation, observing techniques for preserving furniture, objects, paintings, works on paper, or textiles. Placements can be within a single department or shared between two, depending on the intern's specific interests.
- Executive Office: Interns support the Director and Chief Executive Officer in providing leadership and ensuring the fulfillment of the museum's curatorial and educational mission, as well as its financial goals.
- Growth & Brand: This division encompasses multiple departments, offering interns opportunities to contribute to the museum's overall growth and brand strategy.
- Registrar: Interns assist the registrar and other staff in the critical task of tracking the location and condition of art objects within the museum's collection.
Beyond the Philadelphia Museum of Art: Other Internship Opportunities
While the Philadelphia Museum of Art offers a premier internship experience, numerous other organizations in the Philadelphia area provide valuable opportunities for aspiring arts professionals. For instance, Bryn Mawr Film Institute seeks interns for their Summer Filmmaking Workshop, offering hands-on experience in film education.
The Walnut Street Theatre, a renowned LORT-A producing theatre, offers an Apprentice Program providing rigorous, hands-on training to early-career theatre professionals. Apprenticeships can start as early as April and conclude by June of the following year, offering comprehensive experience in various aspects of theatre production.
For those interested in community engagement and education, the Please Touch Museum offers a Garden Intern position. This role allows interns to work directly with an urban garden in an interactive children's museum setting, supporting healthy living initiatives.
DiasporaDNA Story Center (DDSC) provides several internship opportunities, including roles for educators and teaching artists to join their Education Advisory Council (EAC), as well as a Communications & Content Creator Intern position to support storytelling, digital presence, and community engagement.
Furthermore, organizations like the Philadelphia Magic Gardens offer internships in areas such as visitor services and community engagement, providing exposure to the operations of a unique art environment.
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The Value of Internships in the Arts
Internships in the arts provide invaluable benefits that extend far beyond academic knowledge. They offer a crucial bridge between theoretical learning and practical application, allowing students and early-career professionals to:
- Gain Practical Skills: Internships provide hands-on experience in specific areas of interest, such as curatorial work, conservation, education, marketing, or fundraising.
- Develop Professional Networks: Interns have the opportunity to connect with established professionals in the field, building relationships that can lead to future opportunities.
- Explore Career Paths: Internships allow individuals to explore different career paths within the arts, helping them to identify their passions and strengths.
- Enhance Resumes: A well-chosen internship can significantly enhance a resume, demonstrating practical experience and commitment to the field.
- Gain a Competitive Edge: In the competitive art world, internships provide a crucial edge, setting candidates apart from those with only academic qualifications.
Building a Career in the Arts: A Holistic Approach
Securing an internship is just one step in building a successful career in the arts. It's essential to adopt a holistic approach that encompasses:
- Education: A strong academic foundation in art history, museum studies, or a related field is essential.
- Networking: Attending conferences, workshops, and museum events can help to build connections with professionals in the field.
- Volunteer Experience: Volunteering at museums or other arts organizations can provide valuable experience and demonstrate a commitment to the field.
- Professional Development: Participating in workshops, seminars, and other professional development opportunities can help to enhance skills and knowledge.
- Passion and Perseverance: A genuine passion for the arts and a willingness to work hard are essential for success in this competitive field.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art: A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is committed to creating a fulfilling workplace founded on the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access. The museum strives to attract and engage staff members who embody these beliefs, ensuring equal opportunities in all aspects of the employment process. This commitment extends to its internship program, where individuals of all cultural and academic backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to apply.
The museum's values serve as the cornerstone for its actions, behaviors, and decisions. These values include:
- Open: Welcoming everyone, opening eyes and minds to the expressive power of the arts.
- Connected: Sustaining and strengthening the communities served, bringing together diverse audiences.
- Vital: Bringing the arts to life, engaging visitors from Philadelphia and around the world.
- Provocative: Believing the arts can change the way we understand ourselves and how we see the world.
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