Internship: Library and Archives (Paid)

For application deadlines and internship dates, please visit: Countrymusichalloffame.org/support/get-involved/internships.

Museum Overview: Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been called the “Smithsonian of country music,” celebrated for its broad cultural impact, educational mission, and unrivaled collection of historically important artifacts. Chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964, the Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that documents and interprets the history of country music. The Museum collects objects and archival materials that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music and provides diverse learning opportunities through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions.

First opened in 1967 on Nashville’s Music Row, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum launched its current downtown location in 2001. In 2014, the Museum unveiled a $100 million expansion that doubled its footprint. The Museum now encompasses 350,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, archival storage, retail stores, and event space. The Museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and many others recorded. In addition, the Museum offers the Taylor Swift Education Center for students, teachers, and families, and dedicated performance spaces in the CMA Theater and Ford Theater, both of which regularly host nationally recognized live music and cultural events.

In 2024, the Museum was awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Joe Biden. The medal is the highest award given to artists and arts institutions by the United States government. The White House Citation, which accompanied the medal, recognized the Museum’s work, which “preserves history, honors giants of the genre, and inspires future generations to write their own songs about the American story.”

Internship Program Overview: The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum offers paid internships to full-time college students (undergraduate and graduate) that advance the educational goals of the intern and help to promote the Museum’s mission. The Museum’s internship program offers work-based learning opportunities that introduce college students to museum-related careers and other professions found in large cultural organizations. Internships are designed for a maximum commitment of 25 hours per week for 12 weeks with consideration given to individual university requirements. Additional adjustments to the 12-week, 25-hour schedule will be at the discretion of the internship supervisor. Educational programs which operate on a quarterly basis may be accommodated. Motivated students who are seeking hands-on experiences in a team-oriented environment will find excellent opportunities at the Museum.

The application process for prospective interns includes the submission of:

• An online application for the specific internship you are applying for via our internal hiring system
• A resume
• A one-page cover letter; it is recommended that your cover letter explain how your education and experience will contribute positively to this internship and how this internship relates to your academic pursuits and/or career goals.

What We Offer Interns:

• The hourly rate for this position is $15/hr. for students pursuing a bachelor's degree; $18/hr. for students pursuing a master's degree or higher
• Free 24/7 downtown parking or WeGo bus pass
• Complimentary admission to the Museum for yourself
• Two complimentary Museum admission passes for friends and family use
• Free guided tour of Hatch Show Print, Historic RCA Studio B, and the Museum’s galleries
• Discounts at Museum stores and restaurants 
• Free or discounted entry to local venues including: National Museum of African American Music, the Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and more! 
• Fun, friendly, and supportive learning environment

Field Forward Stipend: Field Forward is a living and relocation stipend, offered to select candidates in addition to the paid internship, that supports students who identify as traditionally underrepresented in cultural arts careers and students with demonstrated financial need. Field Forward’s goals are to encourage diverse student engagement with the Museum and the broader museum field and to promote educational and professional experience and training to students historically underrepresented in museum and other cultural arts professions. Students must submit an additional application and demonstrate financial need (if applicable) to be considered. To learn more, including important deadlines, please visit: Countrymusichalloffame.org/support/get-involved/internships.

Departmental Overview: In direct support of the mission statement of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, the Museum Services Division preserves and protects the Museum’s collections using best practices, while incorporating emerging technologies to provide access to these collections. Within Museum Services are teams of registrars, collection specialists, librarians, archivists, exhibit managers, and curators.

Library and Archives Internship Overview: Library and Archives internships are designed for a maximum commitment of 25 hours per week for 12 weeks with consideration given to individual university requirements. The supervisor and intern will schedule internship hours during available working hours (Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST). Additional adjustments to this schedule will be at the discretion of the internship supervisor.

The Library and Archives intern will work closely with the staff to assist with the processing and/or digitizing of materials to ensure preservation and greater access to the Museum’s collections. The collections include manuscript and print materials, sound recordings, video, film, photographs, and oral history interviews. The goal of the internship is to understand the different roles and duties within an archive, learn the necessary skills to prepare archival collections for research purposes, and to gain experience working with varied archival materials.

Prior to the start of this internship, Library and Archives staff will meet with the intern to assess goals and further focus internship duties to include skills most applicable to the intern’s educational objectives, as well as most beneficial to the collection’s needs at that time.

Specific Internship Duties:

• Process archival collection materials
• Rehouse and label collection materials 
• Digitize print and/or manuscript materials
• Create descriptive metadata for digitized content
• Upload content into digital asset management system
• Assist with collection maintenance

Minimum Requirements:

• Working toward a master’s degree or higher in library and information science, public history, museum studies, history, or another related field

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience handling fragile and rare archival materials
• Experience processing archival collections
• Experience digitizing archival materials in various formats
• Knowledge of CONTENTdm or similar digital asset management software
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to produce accurate and consistent work 
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently on projects, as well as to collaborate with a team to achieve long-term goals
• Basic knowledge of country music history, or willingness to learn

Conditions of Internship:

• Lift 25 lbs. or less
• Internship must be completed for course credit

Notes to Applicant:

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We respect the varied attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique. The museum promotes an environment of respect, communication, and understanding, while actively providing opportunities for all employees of all backgrounds the skills, experience, and information necessary to succeed. The museum does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information or characteristics, age, membership in an employee organization, military or veteran status, or other non-merit factor. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

We are a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all qualified candidates to apply for open positions. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its staff and visitors. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and employment verification, including federally mandated E-verify processes, as required for position.

Due to the high volume of applications received for this position, hiring managers will only contact candidates they are interested in scheduling for an interview. Please refrain from calling to inquire about the status of your application. 

Please upload a resume and cover letter when applying for the position.

Applications are only accepted online on our career page: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/careers.