Position: Dedo and Barron Kidd McDermott Intern Fellow for European Art

Reports to: Lillian and James H. Clark Assistant Curator of European Art

Level: Intern

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid holiday, personal and sick time; $500 for professional development

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch; ability to work remotely 2 days per week following introductory period

Internship Period: September 3, 2024 - May 9, 2025

Salary: $15/hour, 35 hours per week

Scope of Position:

The fellow will assist with research and the daily operations of the European Art department. The fellow will assist curators with collection assessment in preparation for an upcoming building expansion and participate in the early phase of planning new galleries. The fellow will enhance records in the Museum's collections management software, TMS; update content on the Museum website; conduct provenance research; research and write didactics for in-gallery displays; and assist curators with the research and writing of acquisition justifications. The fellow will support curatorial projects by attending interdepartmental meetings and working collaboratively with staff across the Museum.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support ongoing research and documentation of the Dallas Museum of Art’s collection of European art
• Update and augment collections content online and within TMS collections management software
• Conduct provenance research with training support as needed
• Research and draft acquisition justifications 
• Draft labels and didactic materials which may be used in the galleries and/or online
• Conduct primary and secondary source research utilizing a multitude of resources, including object files and the Museum's Mayer Library
• Attend regular one-on-one, departmental, and interdepartmental team meetings as needed
• Support other curatorial tasks under the supervision of the curator as needed

Internship Goals:

• Learn art historical object-based research skills, including the use of TMS collections management software  
• Understand best curatorial practices for the writing of museum didactics intended for a broad public audience
• Gain experience with writing in a museum context, including exhibition didactic texts, labels, and/or acquisition proposals
• Learn provenance research skills
• Ascertain professional goals and interests through the support of mentorship
• Develop professional communication and interpersonal skills through collaboration with Museum colleagues
• Understand the roles and functions of different staff within the Museum as well as the relationship between the departments and how they all function together to comprise the organization

Education, Experience, and Certification:

• Completion of a Master's degree in art history prior to the start of the internship
• Background in early modern European art or French art of the 18th or 19th century highly desired
• Reading proficiency in at least one European language other than English (such as French, German, or Italian) highly desired

Key Qualifications:

• Demonstrated research proficiency with attention to detail
• Excellent time management and analysis skills
• Ability to work collaboratively on projects with supervisor while also working independently as projects dictate

Application Directions

McDermott Internship Program applications must include all of the below items in order to be complete. Please ensure you have reviewed the list below closely and all files are included with your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered and late materials will not be accepted. If you have any difficulty with the application process or the Paylocity system, please first reach out to internships@dma.org for assistance.

Upload and attach your resume, personal statement cover letter, writing sample, and two letters of recommendation in your application form, as specified below. If your two references would prefer to submit their letters directly, please direct them to submit the letter of recommendation through the McDermott Internship Recommendation Form. All items must be received no later than April 24, 2024.

Please save the files with your last name and document type in the title: e.g. Smith_Cover Letter.

Resume or CV

Submit in application under Select Resume to Upload

Personal Statement Cover Letter

A detailed one to two page cover letter explaining your interest in an art museum career. Include information regarding your personal learning expectations for the internship; any prior museum experience; and any art and art history related experience, especially as it relates to the specific position.

Submit in application under Upload Cover Letter

Writing Sample

An excerpt of no more than one page of text that provides an example of your writing within an academic context.

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files

Two Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic reference. Please list these individuals in the reference list of the application. Only two references are required in the form.

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files or

Direct your references to upload through this link: McDermott Internship Recommendation

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• Act with Integrity: We are honest and ethical.
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• Foster Connections: We collaborate around shared goals.
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Mission

The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive. The DMA will:

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate.
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art.
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.

Equity

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all.

Diversity

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity.

Inclusion

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture.

EOE

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.