Orange County Museum of Art

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Internships

The Orange County Museum of Art offers volunteer internship opportunities in all departments and welcomes applications from qualified undergraduate and graduate students. Every department provides support to various aspects of planning and implementing the Museum's dynamic schedule of exhibitions. Although interns are generally under the supervision of a specific department, they have the opportunity to actively observe and participate in other areas of museum operations.

The Museum staff is happy to work with students and their advisers in cooperation with internship and independent study programs at their colleges. Curatorial, education, and registrar applicants should have completed course work in art history, studio art, or museum studies. All applicants will be asked to call upon their general clerical skills and organizational ability.

Intern applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year until positions are filled. Applications should be received 2 months prior to the preferred start date of the internship. To apply for an internship at the Orange County Museum of Art, submit a completed application, current transcript, resum�, letter of recommendation, and an academic writing sample. All requested materials must be collected in a single envelope and mailed to the internship coordinator of the department you are applying for. For more information, please review our Intern Application.

INTERN APPLICATION

OPPORTUNITIES MAY BE AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS:

Curatorial:
Interns in the Curatorial Department work with the Deputy Director of Exhibitions and Programs, Curator of Contemporary Art, and Curatorial Assistants. Duties may include conducting research on objects in the Museum's permanent collection or upcoming exhibitions, assisting with exhibitions and catalogues, maintaining artist files and records, and handling artist correspondence.
NOTE: The Curatorial Department is not accepting internship applications at this time. For more information on Curatorial internships, please contact the Curatorial Department.

Development:
Interns in the Development Department work with the Director of Development and with the department managers responsible for membership, special events, and grants. All aspects of fundraising are addressed during the internship, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, database management, and direct mail. For more information on Development internships, please contact the Development Department.

Education:
Education interns provide inquiry-based school and public tours, assist with teaching hands-on art projects, as well as engage the community through a variety of school, family and public programs. Interns will receive training in gallery teaching, touring philosophy, working with different audiences, and engaging the community. Interns will assist in the marketing, research, planning and implementation of education programs.

Candidates should be enthusiastic about engaging with the public and have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be available at least two days a week in the morning, Tuesday-Friday from 9:30 am-12:30 pm, as well as have some flexible evening and weekend hours. Must be reliable and professional. The internship will begin in September 2010 and continue until June 2011. This internship is unpaid, but can be completed for academic credit.
Applications due by Wednesday, August 18th
Training will take place from September 7th-17th, Tuesdays-Fridays from 9:30am-12:30pm.

We welcome applications from undergraduate and graduate students, as well as applicants who have recently completed their degree.

Duties:
− Create inquiry-based tour script
− Lead museum tours (both school tours and public tours)
− Provide administrative support for education programs
− Assist with the planning, preparation, and administrative support of education programs including school, tour, public, and family programs.
− Attend selected public programs

Qualifications:
− Must be dedicated and committed
− Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
− Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
− Excellent presentation skills and demeanor with general public
− Ability to positively interact with museum guests of all ages, diverse audiences, and individuals with special needs
− Ability to engage groups and facilitate tours for 2 hours at a time
− Interest in contemporary art and/or education, previous coursework in art history, studio art, visual culture, museum studies, or similar subject
− Must pass a background check

Benefits
− Extensive training in gallery teaching, museum practices and education philosophy
− In-gallery teaching experience with a variety of audiences
− Experience with program development and implementation
− In-depth exposure to the inner workings of OCMA�s Education Department
− Staff talks and professional development workshops
− Offsite field trip
− Complimentary admission to public programs and events
− Gallery talks with curators, artists, and scholars
− Familiarity with the workings of an art museum

How to Apply
Applications are due Wednesday, August 18th. To apply, please fill out an application. Please mail completed application to Attn. Tour & Studio Programs Assistant, Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Only complete applications will be processed.

For more information on Education internships, please contact the tour coordinator in the Education Department.

Finance:
Interns in the Finance Department work with the Chief Financial Officer and Accountant. Responsibilities may include assisting with reports presented to the Museum's Board of Trustees and learning nonprofit billing and accounts payable procedures. For more information on Finance internships, please contact the Finance Department.

Communications::
Interns in the Communications Department work with the Director of Communications and the Advertising Manager. Responsibilities may include assisting with publicity and advertising materials for exhibitions, education programs, and other Museum events; archiving media coverage; and producing the Museum calendar. For more information on Communications internships, please contact the Marketing Department.

Registrar:
Interns in the Registrar's Office work with the Registrar and may assist with art object and archival record keeping, assessing the condition of artworks, conducting research on the permanent collection, and processing data. This department works most closely with actual art objects. For more information on Registrar internships, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Visitor Services:
Interns and volunteers in the Visitor Services Department will work with the department's director. Responsibilities may include marketing projects related to the museum's cafe, site rental program, private donor events, web site and email newsletter. For more information on Visitor Service internships, please contact the Admissions Department.

Museum Stores:
Interns and volunteers will work with the Museum Store Director in various aspects of retail, assisting with merchandising, and interfacing with the public. For more information on Museum Store internships, please contact the Museum Store.