Job Description:

Position Title: 2025 Art Research Intern - Summer

Position Type: Intern

Division: Operations

Department: Volunteer Services/Guide Program

Reports to: Director of Volunteer Engagement

Date Reviewed: 12/27/2024

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 new contemporary art space that opened to the public on February 22, 2020, in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. A satellite to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary presents visual, performing, and culinary arts. The mission of the Momentary is to champion contemporary art’s role in everyday life and explore the unfolding story of contemporary American arts in an international context by actively commissioning and exhibiting outstanding works that explore new ideas and inspire action.

Position Summary:

Are you an art lover with a passion for research? Do you get excited about exploring the stories behind masterpieces, uncovering historical details, and diving deep into artistic movements? If so, we want you to join our team as an Art Research Intern!

This internship offers the perfect opportunity for students passionate about art to develop their research skills while supporting our Guide Program. As an Art Research Intern, you will help build the foundation for engaging educational experiences by providing guides and tour leaders with rich, well-researched content.

Whether you're an Art History major, Fine Arts student, or simply someone who loves to dig into the past, this internship will allow you to dive into the world of art while helping bring that knowledge to life for others. Work independently to conduct research and writing, as well as collaboratively as you support the staff and volunteers conducting tours.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research, write, and present engaging tour content for ongoing Guide Training (permanent collection, special exhibitions, and focus shows).
• Edit and upload training videos for the Guide Program using designated software.
• Maintain and update the Guide Program SharePoint site, ensuring resources are accessible and up-to-date.
• Provide technical support for volunteer guides navigating the SharePoint site.
• Assist with logistical tasks for monthly Guide Program training, including setup, hosting, and teardown.
• Perform general administrative duties such as drafting emails, tracking tour attendance, and preparing printed materials.
• Attend two drop-in tours weekly to engage with Volunteer Guides, offering constructive insights and feedback on their tour content and delivery.
• Recommend, design, and write new tour content to support program expansion and innovation.
• Research industry trends and best practices in museum guide/docent programs to inform ongoing development.
• Design, research, and present interactive Art Cart experiences to enhance visitor engagement.
• Serve as a backup tour host when volunteer guides are unavailable, ensuring consistent visitor experiences.

Qualifications:

• Student of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences (or comparable programs)
• Excellent writing skills, specifically with knowledge of the field of art history
• Strong public speaking skills
• Willingness to learn and grow
• Willingness to work both collaboratively and independently
• Interest in adult learning and facilitating

Timeline:

• Applications due: February 17th
• Intern selected by: March 15th
• Anticipated Start Date: June 2nd
• Anticipated End Date: July 25th

Schedule:

• Dates: June 2nd -July 25th
• Hours: Up to 35 hours a week
• Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor

Compensation:

• Undergraduate Students: $13.00 an hour

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

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 and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, 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 and museum spaces. The noise level in the museum 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.

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