Collections Management Intern

Collections Department

The National Building Museum’s Collections Department is responsible for the care of the 250,000 drawings, photographs, documents and 3-D objects in the Museum’s collection.  Interns will work directly with the Museum’s Registrar on a large-scale inventory and cataloguing project.  Each intern will be in charge of one aspect of project but they are also expected to assist each other and work together to accomplish goals.

Responsibilities:

• Spearhead a project to inventory the Museum’s entire 7,000 square foot storage area and catalogue one of the Museum’s architectural drawing or photograph collections.
• Create a timeline for the project, research current/new methods and techniques for completing the project, execute and complete the project within the necessary time frame.
• Enter all data in to the Museum’s collections management database, Past Perfect.
• Assist with the exhibit installation, deinstallation and packing
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Interns must be currently enrolled in a graduate program.
• Previous experience with three-dimensional, photography and archival collections preferred
• Knowledge of collections management databases, preferably PastPerfect
• Knowledge of proper archival and collections management techniques
• Self-starter that can work independently
• Be creative and a problem solver
• Ability to work well in a team environment

Commitment:

• 15-20 hours/per week
• Hours of position are flexible, but must occur on Monday–Thursday between 9 am and 4 pm.

A summer internship at the National Building Museum offers a wonderful opportunity to work in a world-class museum in a vibrant city. Interns work closely with staff on meaningful projects that build marketable skills. In addition, summer interns also participate in Monday afternoon programming to enrich their experience. Activities may include: meetings with staff from different departments; behind-the-scenes tours of the museum and other institutions; resume & job search workshop; and more.

All internships at the museum are unpaid, but we are happy to work with your college or university to secure class credit.

If you have any questions about the intern experience at the National Building Museum, please email Kristen Sheldon, volunteer & intern manager, at ksheldon@nbm.org.