McMullan Arts Leadership Intern, Prints and Drawings

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect care for and interpret works of art across time cultures geographies and identities centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context demanding continual dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Located in the Art Institutes Michigan Avenue building the Jean and Steven Goldman Study Center houses the museums collection of works on paper. The collection includes over 60000 prints drawings artist portfolios and books. Within the study center is the Glore Print Study Room which is open to the public by appointment. Visitors are allowed to request works in advance and view them in the study room under the supervision of curatorial staff. The study room also houses a library of catalogues raisonns exhibition catalogues and reference books.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The department of Prints and Drawings at the Art Institute of Chicago is excited to invite current undergraduate students graduate students and/or recent graduates to apply for their McMullan Arts Leadership internship position. In this position the intern will receive training on identifying print and drawing techniques the care and handling of works on paper collection database software object-based research and museum policy issues such as ethics and security. The intern will have the opportunity to work with curators on individual research projects and in the context of the regular operation of the department study room the Jean and Steven Goldman Study Center.

The intern will join a museum-wide intern cohort and have access to a range of programs to support their development in addition to their placement in Prints and Drawings. Mentorship is provided throughout the experience and connections with an intern alumni network will be established.

• Expected Range: $16.73
• Job classification: Intern
• Grade level: Not applicable

Goals of the McMullan Arts Leadership Internship Program

The McMullan Arts Leadership internship program is part of a museum-wide effort to provide students the opportunity to gain experience career awareness networks and skills that will position them to thrive as future art museum leaders.

This program specifically aims to support students who encounter economic challenges when considering a career in the arts. Aligned with this goal we aim to help shape a diverse group of leaders whose actions are informed by a wide range of perspectives varying career paths and values inspired by their own lived experiences.

INTERNSHIP OUTCOMES:

In this position the intern will have the opportunity to:

Directly handle works of art and learn about the materials and processes of prints and drawings;

Gain experience interacting with instructors students and scholars visiting the study room;

Develop strong communication and organizational skills;

Develop mentor relationships with field practitioners;

Build peer-to-peer relationships with fellow interns.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Complete research projects as assigned by curators;

Assist the study room manager in preparing the study room for visitors;

Facilitate daily operations of the Prints and Drawings study room;

Safely move art objects to and from their home locations;

Support the work of Prints and Drawings staff as needed;

Attend weekly check-ins with the positions mentors: the Study Room Manager and Collection Assistant and the Rothman Family Curator;

Attend intern cohort professional development programs and museum practice seminars.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Undergraduate or graduate student; recent graduates (within one year of graduation) will also be considered;

Applicants must be based in the Chicagoland area and/or attending school in the Chicagoland area over the course of the internship term;

Major or focus in art history studio art museum studies or a related field;

Demonstrated interest in Prints and Drawings as a curatorial field and area of study;

Enthusiasm for engaging with researchers and scholars across the field of Prints and Drawings;

Eagerness to learn collection software systems;

Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Google Suite;

Strong interpersonal written and verbal communication skills;

Ability to be open-minded and work collaboratively with colleagues across the museum;

Detail-oriented mindset and demonstrated organizational skills;

Ability to multitask and be flexible when appropriate.

APPLICATION:

You must upload all of the requested materials below (rsum and essay responses) into only one pdf document and list your last name and AY 25-26 in the title of the file (example: LAST NAMEAY .) Please upload your materials where asked in the online application.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not be considered if any requested application element is missing.

To apply for this internship tell us your story. We want to understand who you are what motivates you how you think and where youre coming from. Please submit the following materials:

Rsum

Instead of a traditional cover letter please respond to the following questions in short essays (no more than 300 words per answer.) We encourage you to provide specific examples to support your answers or to illustrate your ideas:

o What about this job description interests you the most

o With the mission of the McMullan Arts Leadership intern program in mind what perspectives might you bring to this role that you think museums need more of

o How do you envision this opportunity helping you towards your professional goals

DEADLINE: The deadline to submit an application to this position is Friday July 25 at 11:59 pm CDT. We will not accept late applications. We will contact the candidates we want to interview within three weeks of our deadline.

INTERNSHIP INFORMATION

Duration of Position: 32 weeks / September 2025 (start date anytime during the week of September 2226) through April 2026 (end date anytime during the week of April 27May 1)

Compensation: Paid / $16.73/hr

Schedule: This is a part-time 32-week position for a currently enrolled or recently graduated undergraduate or graduate student. The intern will work 14 hours per week for a total of up to 448 hours over the course of the internship. Work days will occur between MondayFriday; the start date and schedule will be determined upon agreement with the candidate and the host department.

Hourlong virtual and in-person intern professional development programs will be scheduled throughout the internship term that the student is strongly encouraged to attend. These programs will occur during the week; we ask that the intern make this part of their internship schedule.

Format: The internship will be fully onsite. Due to onsite necessity applicants based or attending school in the Chicagoland area during the internship timeframe will be prioritized. Internet access and appropriate technology will be necessary to complete this internship; technological accommodations will be provided by the Art Institute of Chicago based on necessity.

Number of openings: 1

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect care for and interpret works of art across time cultures geographies and identities centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context demanding continual dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Required Experience:

Intern