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Internship Museum Collections Assistant Jobs in Indiana

State of Indiana

Lighting Preparator

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$56K/yr

About the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites: The mission of the Indiana State Museum and ... of art and collections pieces as requested. * Assist with the preparation of galleries for ...

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Internship Museum Collections Assistant information

What does an Internship Museum Collections Assistant do?

An Internship Museum Collections Assistant helps with the organization, documentation, and care of a museum’s collections. This role often involves cataloging artifacts, assisting with inventory, handling objects according to preservation standards, and sometimes helping set up exhibitions. Interns work closely with collections managers and curators, gaining hands-on experience in museum operations. This internship is valuable for students interested in museum studies, history, or art preservation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship Museum Collections Assistant?

To thrive as an Internship Museum Collections Assistant, you need a foundational understanding of art history or museum studies, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills, typically supported by relevant coursework or experience. Familiarity with collections management systems (such as PastPerfect or TMS), cataloging, and basic conservation practices is often required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and adaptability help interns effectively support curators and collaborate with museum staff. These skills are crucial for ensuring accurate record-keeping, preserving artifacts, and maintaining smooth museum operations.

What types of projects or tasks can an Internship Museum Collections Assistant expect to work on during their placement?

As an Internship Museum Collections Assistant, you’ll typically support tasks like cataloging artifacts, updating collection databases, assisting with inventory checks, and helping with preventive conservation measures. You may also participate in preparing objects for exhibitions or storage, and occasionally work on research projects related to the collection. The role often involves close collaboration with curators, conservators, and other collections professionals, providing a valuable introduction to the behind-the-scenes work of a museum.

What is the difference between Internship Museum Collections Assistant vs Museum Curator Intern?

AspectInternship Museum Collections AssistantMuseum Curator Intern
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or ongoing college education, some knowledge of collections managementSimilar educational background, often pursuing museum studies or related fields
Work EnvironmentAssisting with collections, cataloging, and maintenance in museum storage or exhibit areasSupporting curatorial research, exhibit planning, and collection documentation
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in museums, galleries, and cultural institutions for entry-level support rolesUsed in museums and cultural institutions focusing on curatorial and research activities

The Internship Museum Collections Assistant typically focuses on supporting collections management tasks like cataloging and preservation, while the Museum Curator Intern often engages in research and exhibit planning. Both roles are entry-level, require similar educational backgrounds, and are found in museums and cultural institutions. The main difference lies in their specific responsibilities within the museum environment.

Internship Museum Collections Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Museum Collections Assistant job openings in Indiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Collections Intern - Fall 2026 - $14/hour up to 180 hours

Conner Prairie Museum

Fishers, IN • On-site

$14/hr

Internship

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Principal Function: The Collections Intern will support the Conner Prairie object collection by completing a collections storage inventory project and creating and maintaining records for the inventory. Additionally, the intern will assist with internal research to determine provenance of Found in Collections items.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Duties include, but are not limited to:

  1. Completes a full inventory of the large object collection in the vault (AF) alongside the collections manager
  2. Create and maintain records of the inventory, including updating the records in the catalog and noting any missing or moved objects
  3. Inspect objects on shelves for any pertinent conservation needs and reports needs to the collections manager
  4. Cleans and dusts inventoried shelves and reorganizes as needed
  5. Research catalog files for provenance and titles related to Found in Collections objects in the collection

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree required. Some graduate degree education in Museum Studies or a related field required. Experience in museum environment required. Experience working with museum collections is preferred.

Length of Internship/Hours/Rate of Pay:

  • 15 hours/week for 12 weeks
  • September - November 2026
  • $14.00/hour for up to 180 hours
  • Will coordinate and flex schedule around academic commitments as necessary.

Internship Benefits/Perks:

  • Professional development; training and orientation
  • Practical professional experiences
  • Free parking and general admission to Conner Prairie
  • Free admission to Conner Prairie events
  • Discounts at the Conner Prairie Store and cafe
  • Recommendation letters from staff and documentation of hours served

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Competencies: To perform this job successfully, all employees at Conner Prairie should demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Customer Service - Responds to requests for service and assistance; Manages difficult or emotional customer situations focusing on listening without interrupting and keeping ones emotions under control; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Maintains confidentiality and meets commitments; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
  • Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
  • Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
  • Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
  • Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
  • Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
  • Quality/Quantity - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to promote and improve quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality; Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity and works quickly.
  • Safety/Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
  • Attendance/Punctuality/Dependability - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and events on time; Follows instructions; Responds to management's direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternative plan.

Job-related Competencies - To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
  • Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
  • Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
  • Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently will stand; walk; and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee occasionally will climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is exposed to working in wet or humid conditions (non-weather), and outdoor weather conditions. The employee will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places, near fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold (non-weather), extreme heat (non-weather), risk of electrical shock, and work with explosives. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Conner Prairie is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, this position will be required to work beyond these hours and when open for special events.

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