Internship Museum Interpretation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization.
Job Description:
Intern Position Title: Archives Intern
Division: Learning and Engagement
Department: Library and Archives
Intern Supervisor: Archival Fellow
Intern Classification: Graduate
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2025
About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:
Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.
The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a 'living room' where the community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.
Position Summary:
The Archives Intern will assist with the arrangement, digitization, and description of archival collections, gaining hands-on experience in an art museum setting. Working under the Director of Library and Archives and the Archives Fellow, the Intern will help process the Dr. Francis V. O'Connor Research Collection, comprising artist files, manuscripts, and other papers related to O'Connor's work on Jackson Pollock and artists of the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration.
The ideal candidate is passionate about archives, art history, American history, and/or digital innovation. Applicants should be willing to acquire knowledge, take initiative, solve problems, and collaborate effectively.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Archives Intern will actively participate and perform duties in the following functional areas:

• Assist Library and Archives staff with the assessment, arrangement, and stabilization of physical records by creating inventories, conducting research, and rehousing materials

• Digitize archival records; name, describe, and organize digital files

• Assist in the creation of archival database records and collection finding aids

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Academic background in library or information science, art history, or a related field

• Superior oral and written communication skills

• Dependable and punctual

• Knowledge of Microsoft apps is required; familiarity with archival databases (the museum uses ArchivEra) and digitization equipment/software is a plus

• A background check is required

• Must maintain confidentiality of all non-public museum information

• Possible course credit can be negotiated with Intern's departmental supervisor

Timeline:

• Anticipated Start Date: August 24th or September 21st
• Anticipated End Date: November 13th or December 12th

Schedule:
Hours: High School Interns: up to 15 hours a week; Undergraduate Interns: up to 20 hours a week; Graduate Interns: up to 25 hours a week

• Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor

To qualify for bachelor's or master's hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the past three years. Students are required to submit a current schedule or an official transcript.

• Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor

To qualify for bachelor's or master's hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.
Compensation:

• High School Interns: $12.00
• Undergraduate Students: $13.00
• Graduate Students: $14.00

To qualify for bachelor's or master's compensation, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.
Required Documents:

• Cover Letter- Please answer the following 3 questions in your cover letter.
  • What draws you to archival work, and how have your academic, personal, or professional experiences shaped your interest in preserving and interpreting historical materials?
  • Describe a time when you had to organize, analyze, or make sense of a large amount of information. What approach did you take, and what did you learn?
  • This internship offers hands-on experience across physical and digital workflows. What skills or knowledge areas are you hoping to strengthen during your time in the archives?
• Resume

Housing
Housing for internship positions is contingent upon the availability of funding and is not guaranteed. Internships that include housing explicitly state this within the position description. Any housing and/or relocation assistance provided is considered taxable income and will be reflected on the intern's Form W-2. If housing is provided, priority will be given to students whose primary residence is more than 150 miles or three hours from either Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art or the Momentary.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for accessing materials in storage, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

• Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, and both on-site and offsite collection storage spaces. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

If the intern's personal equipment is used, the museum accepts no liability for any damage caused to said equipment while being used for museum purposes, nor loss or corruption of electronic files on devices.
All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.
Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.