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Curatorial Internship Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Curatorial Internship information

What is a curatorial internship?

A curatorial internship is a temporary position, often at a museum, gallery, or cultural institution, where interns assist curators with research, exhibition planning, and collection management. Interns gain hands-on experience in the curatorial field by working on projects such as cataloging artworks, conducting provenance research, and helping organize exhibitions or educational programs. This internship is typically aimed at students or recent graduates interested in museum studies, art history, or related fields, and provides valuable exposure to the day-to-day operations of curatorial departments.

What types of projects or responsibilities can I expect during a curatorial internship?

As a curatorial intern, you can expect to assist with a variety of tasks such as researching artists and artworks, cataloguing collections, preparing exhibition materials, and supporting event planning. Interns often help with exhibition installation, writing interpretive texts, and conducting educational outreach. The role typically involves collaborating closely with curators, registrars, and education staff, offering a well-rounded introduction to museum or gallery operations. This experience provides valuable insight into both the creative and administrative sides of curatorial work, helping you develop practical skills for future roles in the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a curatorial intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Curatorial Intern, you need a background in art history or museum studies, strong research abilities, and attention to detail, often supported by ongoing undergraduate or graduate coursework. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital archiving tools, and basic cataloging protocols is commonly required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and organizational skills help interns excel when assisting with exhibitions and engaging with diverse audiences. These competencies are vital for supporting curatorial staff, ensuring accurate documentation, and contributing meaningfully to museum initiatives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Curatorial jobs in California?

The most popular types of Curatorial jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Curatorial Internship jobs?

Cities in California with the most Curatorial Internship job openings:

Infographic showing various Curatorial Internship job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 64% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution.

Curatorial Assistant/Fellow

Miami University

Berkeley, CA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Curatorial Assistant/Fellow

The Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM) at Miami University seeks a Curatorial Assistant /Fellow to assist the Curator of Exhibitions and museum team members in the preparation of an exhibition and related highlights catalog publication, incorporating the history of the Art Museum and its collections. They will also contribute to the development of related social media, video, blogs, and website content. This a two year position (24 months) intended for an early career curator, arts researcher, or art historian who is a recent post-graduate in art history, curatorial practices or a related field.

Curatorial Assistant /Fellow to assist the Curator of Exhibitions and museum team members in the preparation of an exhibition and related highlights catalog publication, incorporating the history of the Art Museum and its collections. They will also contribute to the development of related social media, video, blogs, and website content. Responsibilities include researching and writing didactic materials for a future exhibition, assisting with the selection of objects and support images, and generating the narrative for the highlights catalog.

Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Research on physical and digital collections of relevant object collections and museum photographic and physical archives, including donor files, collections, exhibitions and staff histories
  • Writing didactic materials for exhibition purposes.
  • Assist with the selection of objects for display and relevant support images, and image research and coordination of new photography.
  • Writing and editing text panel, object label, and catalog content.
  • Entering information into The Museum System (TMS) database (Collections Management System) and creating online catalogs of collections
  • Opportunities to engage in educational program planning and facilitation.
  • Help develop social media outputs with digital media team.
  • Assist with design of the installation plan and exhibition flow.

Under the supervision of the Curator of Exhibitions, this individual will work independently and as part of a team to undertake a variety of curatorial and administrative tasks including exhibition research, planning, programs and events; managing contacts and correspondence; assisting with the coordination of a catalog, didactic materials, and exhibition documentation; writing and editing exhibition-related copy; and assisting with registration activities using the museum's database. In addition, the Curatorial Assistant may have the opportunity to contribute to generation of original programs and exhibitions. Additionally, the Curator of Exhibitions/Fellow will assist in preparation of classes and research visits involving access and study of physical and digital collections; Work assignments may require advanced knowledge, skills, or abilities; Implement museum policies and procedures in accordance with University guidelines and professional best practices; Some independent judgment or initiative; May require physical exertion, adverse hours or working conditions; Areas of work include Art Museum & Sculpture Park, spaces within Miami University pertaining to artworks and collections, and spaces outside Miami University related to lending and collaborative activities with other museums; May assist in facilitation of lending of collections to other institutions; May contribute to outreach initiatives by providing content for newsletters, social media, and related communications; May be responsible for supervising student interns or employees.

Minimum Requirements: Master's degree in Art History or Anthropology, Museum Studies, Library Science, Arts Management, or a related field; 1 year experience in exhibition development at a museum, arts, education, or non-profit institution.

Consideration may be given to candidates with: Master's degree in Museum Studies, Library Science, Arts Management, or a related field such as Art History or Anthropology; 2 or more years experience in exhibitions at a museum, arts, education, or non-profit institution; Successful grant writing experience; Experience in archives and digitization best practices.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Excellent writing skills and ability to research independently; General knowledge and awareness of history of art, familiarity with art materials and processes, as well as exhibition planning processes; Knowledge and use of Collections Management Systems, such as TMS or similar; Knowledge of standard office procedures and equipment; Knowledge of computers and office applications, including Google and Adobe applications; Some knowledge of administrative procedures which may include budgeting, research, preparing reports and evaluations; Work well with others and as part of a team, ranging from student assistants, staff, faculty and volunteer docents; Ability to manage simultaneous priorities and to work effectively with other team members; Familiarity with American Alliance of Museums core standards and document requirements; Ability to communicate effectively in written form; Skill in communicating effectively orally / in person as appropriate for the needs of the audience; Knowledge of federal and state policies and procedures relating to collections and exhibition ethics, and legal regulations relating to museum collections. Experience and knowledge of varied materials and preservation needs for collections in a museum environment.