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Internship Costume Museum Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$55 - $65/hr

... The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) seeks a Conservator of Textiles and Costume to join the ... Mentor interns, fellows, and emerging professionals, supporting a culture of shared knowledge and ...

New

$100K/yr

The High Museum of Art seeks an innovative and experienced curator with expertise in contemporary ... Serve as a mentor to fellows, assistants, and interns * Exhibit high ethical and professional ...

Internship Costume Museum information

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$9

$17

$23

How much do internship costume museum jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship costume museum in the United States is $17.31, 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 an internship costume museum position?

Internship positions at a costume museum are temporary, educational roles where students or recent graduates gain hands-on experience in areas such as costume conservation, exhibition design, collection management, or museum education. Interns may assist with cataloging costumes, preparing exhibits, conducting research, or supporting public programs. These positions provide valuable insight into museum operations and the preservation of historical garments. Most internships are part-time and may be unpaid or offer a small stipend, depending on the museum's resources.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship costume museum professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as an intern at a costume museum, you typically need a background or coursework in fashion history, textile conservation, or museum studies. Familiarity with collection management systems, basic conservation tools, and digital cataloging platforms is often required. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and clear communication are important soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the preservation, accurate documentation, and effective presentation of costume collections to support the museum's educational mission.

What types of projects or tasks can an intern expect to work on during an internship at a costume museum?

As an intern at a costume museum, you can expect to assist with a variety of tasks such as cataloging garments, preparing exhibits, helping with conservation efforts, and supporting educational programs. Interns often work closely with curators, conservators, and educators, gaining hands-on experience in collection management and exhibit planning. This role provides exposure to both behind-the-scenes work and public-facing activities, making it a valuable learning opportunity for those interested in museum studies or costume history.

What is the difference between Internship Costume Museum vs Costume Designer?

AspectInternship Costume MuseumCostume Designer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or holding a degree in costume design, fashion, or related fieldsProfessional degree or extensive experience in costume design or fashion
Work EnvironmentMuseum settings, archives, conservation labsFilm, theater, television, fashion industry
Employer & Industry UsageMuseums, cultural institutions, historical societiesEntertainment, fashion houses, production companies
Common Search & ComparisonInternship opportunities, museum rolesCostume design careers, professional roles

In summary, an Internship Costume Museum typically involves gaining experience in costume preservation and museum operations, often for students or early-career individuals. A Costume Designer, on the other hand, creates costumes for performances or productions, requiring more advanced skills and professional experience. Both roles are essential in their respective fields but differ significantly in responsibilities and work environments.

More about Internship Costume Museum jobs

What cities are hiring for Internship Costume Museum jobs?

Cities with the most Internship Costume Museum job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Costume Museum jobs?

The most popular types of Costume Museum jobs are:

What states have the most Internship Costume Museum jobs?

States with the most job openings for Internship Costume Museum jobs include:

Infographic showing various Internship Costume Museum job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,995 per year, or $17.3 per hour.

Powell Museum Studies Internship

Naper Settlement

Naperville, IL • On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

$1,000 Stipend

This position is not eligible for employee benefits.


Internship Summary:  The Powell Museum Studies Intern will gain hands on collection management experience in an accredited museum setting. Guided by the museum’s Director of Collections and Registrar, the intern will learn about cataloging standards, controlled vocabularies, artifact enclosures, acquisitions procedures, and object handling through completion of a collection project. The project will be developed based on the intern’s interest and experience. Sample projects may include:


·        Describing, tagging, and rehousing a collection of costume materials

·        Conducting inventories of broadsides and works on paper and creating catalog records.

·        Identifying artifacts for further processing, rehousing, and marking

·        Assessing, tagging, and rolling textiles, updating catalog records accordingly

·        Enhance catalog searchability by researching and adding subject headings


Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: Reverence for artifacts, appreciation for history, and acute attention to detail are necessary. Strong verbal and written communication skills are important. Ability to work independently on projects and as an effective team member is required.


Specific goals and expectations (tangible project results):

1.     Learn and implement basic object handling principles

2.     Understand broadly the concepts of content standards, controlled vocabularies, procedural standards, and authority records.

3.     Develop a working knowledge of collections management principles and terminology

4.     Learn to assess object condition and storage and care needs.

5.     Develop a working knowledge of collections documentation, including acquisition proposals, condition reports, deeds of gift, and authority files.

6.     Develop mechanical skills required in collections management, including marking objects and fabricating boxes, padded hangers, and archival weights.


The John K. and Judith H. Powell Museum Studies Internship was established in 2012 and offers a $1000 stipend to the recipient for a term of 90 days. The late Jack Powell was chairman of the Naperville Heritage Society from 1980-1982 and Judy Powell was a member of the Weed Ladies floral design volunteers. This is the fourth year the internship has been awarded.

The internship is open to undergraduate students.

2026 Term: 2 days a week from October 1st – December 30th onsite at Naper Settlement.


About Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society

Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor museum set on 12 acres in the heart of Naperville at 523 S. Webster St., where history comes to play and the community comes to connect. With a commitment to the community and a focus to the future, the mission of the Naperville Heritage Society, administrator of Naper Settlement, is to collect, document, preserve and support the history of Naperville, Illinois, past and present. To learn more, please visit www.napersettlement.org.