Thomas Cole Internship Opportunity
CALL FOR INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS
Description:
The Thomas Cole National Historic Site (TCNHS) will select one to two interns for the spring, summer and/or fall semester.
Selected candidates will gain experience in several areas of museum management and art historical research by participation in:
+ Research and interpretation of the home and studio of Thomas Cole (1801-1848), now widely considered to be the founder of the Hudson River School of Painting, the first major art movement in the United States.
+ Leading tours of the historic house and grounds
+ Professional Development: interns will have the opportunity to work closely with staff on day-to-day activities involved in running a not-for-profit historic house and/or a special project taking shape during the semester.
The Thomas Cole National Historic Site consists of Thomas Cole’s c. 1815 Federal-era brick home, his 1839 studio, and other historic structures on five landscaped acres with magnificent views of the Catskill Mountains. Interns are provided the chance to work closely with the education, collections, and exhibition staff on various projects. Pending the season this includes exhibition installation, archive and collection inventory, conducting tours and programs, daily office operations, research related to the collections, and full engagement in interpretive programming. Interns also observe and participate in a variety of staff meetings to learn the structural, strategic, and operational decisions at play in an historic house museum.
Internships are unpaid, though many candidates arrange credit through their respective school. Interns are asked to commit to a minimum of 16 hours per week for the agreed-upon duration of the internship, which typically lasts three months but can be flexible.
Qualifications: The TCNHS seeks self-motivated undergraduate students and recent graduates who have expressed a commitment to careers in a history or art museum, exhibition and collection management, and/ or museum education. A background, passion for, or study of history, art history, material culture, decorative arts, museum studies and/or museum education are ideal. Applicants should have strong organizational abilities, an affinity for public speaking, and computer skills, including Microsoft scanning and image software.
How to Apply: Send a cover letter describing your interests and goals along with a complete resume to:
Melissa Gavilanes, Director of Education, mgavilanes@thomascole.org or via mail attn: Melissa Gavilanes, Thomas Cole National Historic Site, PO Box 426, Catskill, NY 12414. For further information or questions please email above or by phone call T: 518-943-7465 x 5. For general information about Thomas Cole National Historic Site, upcoming programming and exhibitions, and future events, please visit www.thomascole.org.
