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Curatorial Intern Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Curatorial Intern information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$10

$19

$27

How much do curatorial intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for curatorial intern in Seattle, WA is $19.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.39 and $21.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a curatorial intern?

Curatorial Interns are individuals, often students or recent graduates, who assist museum or gallery curators in a variety of tasks. Their responsibilities typically include helping with research, cataloging collections, preparing exhibitions, and supporting educational programming. Curatorial internships provide practical experience and insight into the daily operations of museums and galleries, making them valuable for those considering a career in the arts or museum studies. Interns usually work under the supervision of experienced curators and gain hands-on exposure to collections management and exhibition planning.

What does a curatorial intern do?

As a Curatorial Intern, you can expect to assist with a variety of tasks such as researching artists and artworks, cataloging collections, helping prepare exhibitions, and supporting educational programming. You may also participate in team meetings, draft interpretive materials, and correspond with artists or lenders under supervision. This hands-on experience offers valuable insight into the curatorial process and provides opportunities to collaborate closely with curators, registrars, and exhibition designers.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a curatorial intern?

To thrive as a Curatorial Intern, a background in art history, museum studies, or a related field, along with strong research and organizational skills, is essential. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital cataloging tools, and basic archival practices is typically expected. Attention to detail, effective communication, and a collaborative mindset are standout soft skills in this position. These competencies ensure that interns can support curatorial projects efficiently, contribute meaningfully to exhibition planning, and maintain the integrity of collections.

What is the difference between Curatorial Intern vs Museum Education Intern?

AspectCuratorial InternMuseum Education Intern
Required CredentialsUndergraduate or graduate degree in art, history, or related fieldSimilar educational background, often with focus on education or public programs
Work EnvironmentGallery or exhibition spaces, research areas, collection managementPublic programs, visitor engagement, educational workshops
Employer & Industry UsageMuseums, galleries, cultural institutionsMuseums, science centers, cultural organizations
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Curatorial Intern and a Museum Education Intern lies in their focus areas. Curatorial Interns primarily assist with research, exhibition planning, and collection management, while Museum Education Interns focus on developing educational programs and engaging visitors. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are found within museums and cultural institutions, but they serve different functions within the organization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Curatorial jobs in Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Curatorial jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What are popular job titles related to Curatorial Intern jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Curatorial Intern jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Curatorial Intern jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Curatorial Intern jobs in Seattle, WA are:

Infographic showing various Curatorial Intern job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Internship. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,327 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Nancy Kartes Curator of Living Collections

City of Bellevue

Bellevue, WA

$88K - $121K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Come Join the City of Bellevue. Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only.

Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary The Bellevue Botanical Garden (BBG) is an urban refuge, encompassing 53-acres of cultivated gardens, curated collections, restored woodlands, and natural wetlands. Since opening in 1992 the Bellevue Botanical Garden has grown significantly in its size and impact. Today, BBG welcomes around 500,000 visitors each year to learn about gardening and explore nature.

The Garden hosts a wealth of educational classes for children and adults, along with many community events benefiting Bellevue and the horticulture community at large. The success of BBG is the outcome of a vibrant and diverse community, a collaboration between the City of Bellevue, the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, and nine other partner groups. Thanks to a generous gift the Bellevue's Parks and Community Services Department has a unique opportunity for you to be a part of the Botanical Gardens.

A private donor has established an endowment to fund the full-time salary of a Curator in perpetuity. This new position is named in honor of the Garden's previous director, Nancy Kartes. The Garden curates a vast collection of 3,000 unique varieties of plants spread throughout 53-acres in 12 thematic garden spaces.

Records are maintained in a custom database. Originally entered in Access in the early 2000s, the data now sits in a SQL Server with an internal interface through Salesforce and mapping with ARCMap. The system has a robust public facing Plant Collections Search providing database and map access online.

The role is the first full-time position in the Garden's history dedicated to Living Collections. This will consolidate efforts previously shared by the Garden Director, part-time staff, interns, and dedicated volunteers over the past 25 years. This position has primary responsibility for all curatorial work including overseeing plant records volunteers and interns and supports horticultural and educational efforts at the Garden.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Manage all living collections. Supervise plant records volunteers. Foster teamwork and collaboration among staff and partners Develop, implement, and monitor intern training programs.

Provide technical advice and horticultural expertise for garden partners, collaborating organizations, and the public. Provide horticultural content and review Garden publications, media and interpretive materials. Assist the Garden Director in determining collections budget needs, authorize budget expenditures and manage the approved operating budget.

Participate in long-range planning and the design of gardens and facilities, renovations and new construction related to gardens. Embrace the Garden's commitment to excellence in guest services, willingly integrating work with the efforts of other programs. Responsible for review and implementation of Living Collections Policy, curation of the living collection, and management of the plant accession database, geodatabase, and public interface with collections.

Provide aesthetic vision and inspiration for horticultural displays. Establish horticultural standards and priorities, including best practice standards of garden maintenance, and an emphasis on sustainable and organic practices and methods without compromising plant health or quality of display. Work with Garden Director and partners to implement elements of the Master Plan and Interpretive Plan related to horticulture, with an emphasis on the accessibility of the plant collections to the Garden's visitors.

Ensure appropriate plant procurement for garden projects. Support renovation, procurement, and installation of horticultural displays. Teach classes for Garden's education program, provide training for public, volunteers, and staff.

Devise and implement proper inventory control measures. Oversee inventory and evaluation cycles for gardens in collaboration with garden partners and horticultural peers in the region. Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

Perform other duties as assigned by Garden Director. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Works under the general supervision of a Community Services Supervisor (BBG Garden Director) May exercise supervision over full-time/temporary/seasonal employees, interns, volunteers, or support staff, as assigned. Qualifications EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field, Master's degree preferred.

Four (4) or more years of progressively responsible related experience in the field of horticulture, garden management or landscape maintenance/management. 2 years of experience leading, teaching, and motivating others preferred. Training and experience in horticultural best practices, with an emphasis on sustainability.

Widely versed and current in horticultural field (e.g., sustainable gardening, native plants, plant disease, etc.) Other combination of education/experience appropriate to the job will be considered. Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Occupational Blood Born Pathogens and Defensive Driving certifications preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Must be a well-organized, seasoned, successful and empathetic team member. Demonstrated knowledge of sustainable landscape and hardy plant care appropriate to the region. Demonstrated ability with the design and installation of inspiring botanical displays.

Must possess excellent communication skills. Proficiency with technology, data management, and Microsoft Office Suite software programs especially Word and Excel. Experience with plant records management software.

Advanced skill in the ability to troubleshoot and adapt software to fit organizational needs. Ability to use geographic information system (GIS) for mapping of plant collections. Prefer working knowledge of ArcGIS software.

Advanced knowledge of plant identification particularly for plants of NW gardens. Supplemental Information PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 40 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet. The employee must be able to remain focused in an inherently busy environment with frequent distractions and interruptions. HIRING PROCESS The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only.

Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics.

To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible. Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting. We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.

Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.

All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor. Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications. At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision.

The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world.

Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet. Come join our team. The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program. https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627

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