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Archival Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Motown Museum

Digitization Intern

Detroit, MI · On-site

$2.0K/wk

The intern will work within the Archives & Collections Department and report to the Digital Preservation Specialist. What you'll do * Essential Functions: - Digitization: Imaging flat materials ...

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Enginuity

Intern - Property Management

Chantilly, VA

$18/hr

The Intern would work under the direction of the cornerstone's Associate Property Manager and ... archiving of documents * Maintain office equipment, office supplies, kitchen supplies, uniform ...

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How much do archival intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for archival intern in the United States is $17.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Archival Intern vs Archivist Assistant?

AspectArchival InternArchivist Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in Library Science, History, or related fieldSimilar; often students or entry-level with related coursework
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in museums, archives, or librariesEntry-level position supporting archivists in similar environments
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with cataloging, digitization, and basic archival tasksSupporting archival processing, organization, and research tasks

The main difference is that an Archival Intern is typically a temporary, learning-focused position for students or recent graduates, while an Archivist Assistant is a more permanent support role assisting professional archivists with daily operations. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but the intern position emphasizes training and skill development.

What does an Archival Intern do?

An Archival Intern assists archivists in preserving, organizing, and cataloging historical documents, photographs, and digital records. They help maintain archives by sorting, labeling, and creating inventories of materials, as well as supporting digitization projects. Interns may also aid researchers in accessing collections and learn about archival best practices, such as handling fragile materials and using specialized software. This position is often designed to provide practical experience for students or recent graduates interested in archives, libraries, or museum work.

What kinds of projects and responsibilities can an Archival Intern typically expect during their internship?

As an Archival Intern, you can expect to work on a variety of hands-on projects such as organizing, cataloging, and preserving physical or digital collections. Typical responsibilities include creating finding aids, digitizing records, and assisting with reference requests from researchers or the public. You may also participate in special projects like exhibitions or database improvements, often collaborating closely with archivists and other library staff. This role provides valuable exposure to archival standards, collection management systems, and teamwork within a cultural heritage environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Archival Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Archival Intern, you need a background in library science, history, or a related field, along with strong organizational and research skills. Familiarity with archival management systems, digitization tools, and metadata standards is typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial for preserving, organizing, and providing access to historical records in a professional archival setting.
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Archival Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Archival Intern job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,436 per year, or $17 per hour.
[Fall 2026] Research Resources - Archives Internship

[Fall 2026] Research Resources - Archives Internship

Whitney Museum of American Art

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Full-time, Internship

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

The Whitney's Academic Year Internship program offers a semester-long paid internship for undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited academic program. The program includes training, direct work experience, professional development, and a weekly speaker series.
The Whitney's Fall internship program is a full-time, paid, nine-week session primarily for undergraduate students. The internship is hybrid, with some onsite work. For Fall 2026, interns commit between 16-21 hours per week over 10-12 weeks for a total of 176 hours. The program will begin on September 15, 2026, and end on December 5, 2026 (this may vary depending on schedule). Participants must be available Monday through Friday for nine consecutive weeks, five days per week. Interns are assigned to a specific department at the Museum for the duration of the internship.
For more information, including information on eligibility requirements, please visit our internships page.
The application window for our Fall 2026 Ostrover Family Academic Internship is now open through August 14. Please note that all candidates will be considered on a rolling basis, and as such, some opportunities may close before the deadline.
The Whitney seeks a Resource Resources: Archives Intern for the Fall 2026 semester.
Expected Projects & Assignments
  • Assist with providing in-person and remote reference services
  • Assist with supervising the reading room and on-site researchers
  • Assist with reference inquiries from staff and external researchers
  • Page collections for researcher appointments
  • Digitize and prepare digital surrogates of select archival material
  • Edit collection metadata using ArchivesSpace

Skills & Qualifications
  • Coursework in library and information science, archives, public history, or another related field
  • Interest in modern and contemporary American art and museum work
  • Familiarity with function and purpose of archival finding aids
  • Knowledge of ArchivesSpace, DACs, MS Office, spreadsheets, and/or Adobe Photoshop a plus
  • The ability to work independently with sharp attention to detail
  • Undergraduates and graduates currently enrolled in accredited academic year programs are eligible
  • Applicants must have completed a minimum of one year's worth of academic coursework; undergraduate freshmen are not eligible
  • While a demonstrated interest in art and art history is preferred, students in all majors are encouraged to apply
  • Previous museum experience is not required

Provided Training
  • DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
  • Basics of editing online finding aids in ArchivesSpace
  • Reference skills specific to working with primary source researchers
  • Guidance in applying to jobs and other opportunities using fieldspecific language

Outcomes
  • First-hand experience with multiple areas of archives and library work
  • Greater familiarity with navigating organizational culture, policies, and procedures in an art library and museum setting
  • An understanding of how the Whitney's archival collections support unique areas of inquiry
  • Experience using ArchivesSpace and DACS
  • Technical skills related to working with analog archival materials and digital surrogates

Compensation
Interns will be paid a stipend of $3000.
Generous support for Ostrover Family Academic Year Interns is provided by Julie and Doug Ostrover.
If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates. Whether you're new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.
About the Whitney:
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.
EEO Statement:
The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

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