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OPPORTUNITIES
Employment / Volunteers /
Internships
MOCAD INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
You must be over the age of 18 to qualify for an internship at MOCAD.
Download Application (MS
Word Document)
The Internship Program at the Museum of Contemporary Art
Detroit offers participants "hands on" training in the museum
profession and a comprehensive overview of museum operations.
Interns also gain insight into the national and international
world of contemporary art.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit internship program
welcomes students and recent graduates who wish to broaden
their education and professional experience by working and
learning in a not-for-profit museum. All MOCAD departments
offer experiential education in a challenging, hands-on environment
in exchange for a substantive contribution from talented
and interested individuals. MOCAD presents an ambitious schedule
of cutting-edge exhibitions as well as educational and outreach
programs. MOCAD interns have the unique opportunity to participate
in the development and expansion of these programs and operations.
There are three application deadlines and selection periods
per year. Internships require a minimum commitment of fourteen
hours per week for three months, during which time interns
may complete a number of exclusive projects as well as daily
assignments. Interns also participate in departmental meetings,
special events, and various educational programs, as well
as attend regular museum programming including artist talks,
lectures, etc.
In order to increase diversity in professions related to
museums and the arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
seeks diversity in its intern staff and provides equal opportunity
to its applicants.
When making your arrangements, please keep in mind that internships
are unpaid.
Eligibility
All interested individuals are eligible to apply for an internship.
Qualifications vary for each intern position and some positions
may require college or graduate training and/or professional
experience.
Application Procedure
Interns must submit an intern application form along with
two letters of recommendation from professors and/or previous
employers, and a resume and a cover letter.
Internship
Term
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Application
Deadline |
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Winter/Spring Term
Jan. 15 - Apr. 30 |
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December
15 |
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Summer Term
May 1st ¨ Jul. 31 |
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April 1 |
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Fall Term
Sep. 15 ¨ Dec. 30 |
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September
1 |
Days and Hours
Interns must be able to work a minimum of two days per week/seven
hours per day. The exact schedule will be determined with the
department supervisor. Interns must be able to work a full
term. No interns will be accepted for shorter periods.
Once your file is complete, please do not call the Intern Coordinator
to check on the status of your application. Only those applicants
whom the departments are interested in interviewing will be
contacted. The Department Supervisor will notify selected interns
of acceptance at least two weeks before the start of each cycle.
Internships are available in the following Museum departments:
Administration Interns gain exposure
to the internal functions of the MOCAD through a variety of
projects involving Administration, Visitor Services, and Human
Resources. Responsibilities include assisting with further
developing the volunteer and internship programs, as well as
formalizing and documenting administration procedures, policies,
operations, etc. Interns may also assist with special accounting
projects. Candidates must be detail oriented and have excellent
organizational skills. They should also have basic computer
and word processing skills. Knowledge of Excel and FileMaker
Pro is helpful.
Development This internship is for
anyone who is interested in learning more about the fundraising
process that goes on at a museum. This department researches,
solicits and fosters donors, grants and other funding opportunities.
Projects include researching new funding sources, preparation
and production of media and public relations materials and
assisting with grants and solicitations. Potential interns
should be well organized, possess good written and oral communication
skills and have good analytical skills.
Publications By assisting in the production
of catalogues, gallery guides, invitations, calendars, and
ads, interns gain exposure to all aspects of museum publishing.
Specific responsibilities include proofreading, editing, and
some writing and research. Candidates must be detail oriented
and have excellent organizational skills. Applicants should
include writing samples and may be asked to take a proofreading
test as part of the application process.
Education Interns provide organizational
and on-site support for several educational programs, which
may include lectures by artists, panel discussions, classes
and workshops for adults, school programs, family programs,
and guide-training sessions. Interns perform general departmental
duties, such as preparation of program packets, educational
materials, research, correspondence, and scheduling. Candidates
must have excellent organizational and basic computer skills,
and should be comfortable interacting with the public. Candidates
should have research experience and have previously worked
with children.
Exhibitions Interns assist in researching
and organizing upcoming exhibitions, including the development
of timelines, checklists, and signage. Interns will be introduced
to issues relating to contemporary art and will obtain administrative
and hands-on skills in installation of art exhibitions.
Exhibitions interns may also assist in the maintenance of the
physical space of the Museum and provide security for the exhibitions.
Interns will be able to understand the physical maintenance
of the Museum and its operations as well as become involved
with the upcoming renovations of the Museum's galleries.
Graphic Design Interns assist staff
in developing and producing materials related to MOCAD's graphic
needs, including exhibition catalogues, gallery signage, and
promotional materials. Candidates should have experience with
website development (HTML) as well as in print production,
and proficiency with Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe
Photoshop, and Dreamweaver in a Macintosh environment. Excellent craft skills are a plus. Candidates must be currently
enrolled in or have graduated from a graphic design program
and include samples with their application. It would be helpful for candidates to have their own access to a computer with the necessary graphic-editing software.
Media Relations Interns help plan
and implement publicity for exhibitions, performances, educational
programs, special events, and the MOCAD Store. Interns maintain
the MOCAD press-clipping library, compile summations of exhibition
coverage, draft media releases, and handle inquiries and visits
from the media. Special projects include working at media previews,
exhibition openings, and events. Candidates must have excellent
writing, organizational, and computer skills. Applicants must
be willing to work independently in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented
environment.
Membership Interns participate in
all aspects of the membership program. Duties include researching
how to convert museum visitors to members and donors, organizing
direct mailings, and contributing ideas for membership drives.
Interns also help maintain the membership database and perform
administrative tasks. Candidates should have computer skills
and excellent communication skills, as well as be detail oriented
and creative.
Museum Store The MOCAD Store compliments
the Museum's exhibition schedule by providing a stunning assortment
of contemporary art related titles and objects for sale. Interns
will gain experience in the day-to-day operations of a retail
space, and work with the Museum Store Coordinator on budgeting,
visual merchandising, marketing, special events and maintaining
an online store. Candidates should have experience in retail;
merchandise display, or visual arts, plus an interest in shopping.
Programming This internship is for
anyone interested in learning more about the public programs
that go on at a museum. The program intern will attend meetings
of the program committee and assist with organizing lectures,
music performances and film series. Projects will include assisting
with set-up, tear down and the planning of programs. Candidates
should be well-organized, able to work in a team and have a
strong interest in educational programs and special events.
Special Events Intern gains experience
in the planning and production of rental events including corporate
receptions and dinners, not-for-profit fundraisers, weddings,
and other private events. Interns work closely with the MOCAD
Special Event Director, and their responsibilities include
basic administrative tasks, research, maintenance of client
files and databases, and assisting the staff with events. Candidates
should have basic computer and word processing skills, as well
as excellent customer service skills.
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