Exciting Opportunity for Spring 2013 at Naper Settlement

Blacksmith Shop at Naper Settlement Museum

The John K. and Judith H. Powell Museum Studies Internship is a competitive internship offering practical museum training experience to individuals interested in pursuing a career in the museum field. This internship position offers the opportunity to gain general knowledge and a broad understanding of how the curatorial and education departments function within the context of a major museum.

To be overseen by the Chief Curator, the intern will be provided with a cursory overview of curatorial practices in the museum setting. Included in the overview will be an introduction to techniques such as artifact evaluation and handling, cataloging and processing, archives digitization, introduction to Nomenclature classification systems, collection inventory, assistance with collections reorganization and re-housing, and review and management of environmental conditions in collection areas. General assistance with other curatorial operations will be incorporated into job duties as necessary for a well-rounded curatorial experience.

The intern will also assist education staff with program and educational material development in delivery to the museum’s K-12 school audiences. This may include facilitating and evaluating programs/activities and developing online resources.

In conjunction with exposure to curatorial and education department operations, the intern will conduct research on assigned topics to further program or interpretation development, as well as collection documentation.

Approximate allocation of time will be spent as follows:
• 60% - documentation, cataloging, re-housing of collections
• 25% - program development, evaluation practices, possible online resource development
• 15% - research to support collections documentation and interpretation needs

Junior and senior-year undergraduate students in good standing at an accredited four-year college or university, a recent graduate within the past 24 months, or a master’s candidate are eligible to apply. Application deadline is November 5, 2012. Selection will be based on academic background, professional skills, interest, career goals, and ability to meet the museum’s needs. An interview is required for final candidates. The internship period will run January through April 2013. A weekly commitment of 10-15 hours per week is required. A stipend of $500.00 is offered for this internship through the generosity of John K. and Judith H. Powell Endowment. For more information, email nsinternship@naperville.il.us or visit www.napersettlement.museum.