Contemporary Art Collection Research Undergraduate Intern

The Department of Contemporary Art at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston presents collects and fosters access to and understanding of contemporary art loosely defined here as work made after 1955 in painting sculpture time-based media installation and performance. The Department advocates for the importance of contemporary voices in the context of a global and trans historical museum continually exploring opportunities to hear the voice of artists. With an eye on local national and international artists and communities the Department creates a varied program for a range of audiences working closely with colleagues from across the institution. The quickly evolving collection increasingly represents contemporary art in all of its iterations transcending traditional boundaries and hierarchies of media movements and chronology.

The Department of Contemporary Art is seeking an enthusiastic undergraduate level intern currently in their junior or senior year with interest in a curatorial and/or museum career.

The selected candidate will conduct collection-related research assist with the administrative functioning of the department and support the departments collaboration with teams across the museum. Specific tasks will include participating in the creation and organization of object files for the contemporary collection; coordinating the imaging and transportation of collection objects; researching existing collection objects to bolster the Departments files and online web texts; assisting with the annual collections audit by visiting onsite storage locations and conducting a detailed inventory and other special projects related to the Departments varied activities and the interns interests. While the intern will work closely with the entire Department of Contemporary Art the Department Coordinator will provide primary supervision and mentorship.

We encourage applications from candidates who are strongly interested in curatorial and museum work but who may not yet have had the opportunity to experience it much or at all. The ideal candidate will have a desire to learn more about not only curatorial work but also overlapping fields in departments such as registration collections management conservation development and administration. This internship will suit someone seeking opportunities to 1) learn about museum administration and collections care within a curatorial department and 2) direct their skills in writing research and communication as part of museum work.

Ideal candidates must be able to commit to work onsite 14-16 hours weekly mostly between 9am-5pm Monday-Friday between Jan 23 - Apr 24 2026. Additionally interns must attend orientation on Fri Jan 23 (10am-3:30pm) and the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course from 12:30-2:30pm on the following Fridays: Jan 30 Feb 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27 Apr 3 Apr 10 Apr 17 and Apr 24.

The intern will be paid at a rate of $16.80 per hour and will receive a $90 per month transportation subsidy.

As we amplify our efforts toward becoming a truly inclusive institution and fostering the next generation of museum staff the MFA actively encourages students from all backgrounds to apply to the program.

Essential Functions:

The Curatorial Undergraduate Intern will provide general curatorial and administrative support by fulfilling the following functions including but not limited to:

• Assist with the digital and physical maintenance of object records and other logistical documents related to the curatorial care of a museum collection.
• Manage a spring-long collection project: research existing collection objects update the object and artist records in The Museum System (TMS) and reorganize the departments physical collection files.
• Assist in curatorial research and documentation including gathering library and archive materials augmenting contemporary object files with new research and writing and helping to draft written rationales for new acquisition proposals.
• Assist the Department Coordinator in correspondence with artists collectors and visitors.
• Assist in the imaging of collection objects by helping to arrange for their transfer to the MFA Photo Studio
• Work with the Department Coordinator and Registrars in updating and maintaining object and loan records in the museums database TMS.
• Research and write new content for the Departments newsletter.
• Assist staff with the annual collections audit by conducting an inventory of all contemporary objects housed onsite in storage spaces and galleries across the Museum.
• Learn about the general function of a curatorial department via participation in departmental meetings and exhibition installations.
• Prepare and offer a 3-minute final synoptic presentation of the internship as part of the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course.

Qualifications:

• Must be enrolled in an undergraduate program concurrent with internship period in art history history of decorative arts museum studies studio art or a related field of study and provide proof of employment eligibility (juniors or seniors preferred)
• Strong curiosity and interest in and at least some knowledge of contemporary art
• Excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail
• Proven ability to work as part of a team as well as comfort working independently.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills with strong research abilities.
• Ability to work onsite 14-16 hours per week within Monday through Friday 9am-5pm parameters between January 23 and April 24 2026. Additionally interns must attend the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course from 12:30-2:30pm on the following Fridays: Jan 30 Feb 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27 Apr 3 Apr 10 Apr 17 and Apr 24.
• Ability to attend orientation on Fri Janam to 3:30pm.

How to Apply

• DO NOT INCLUDE any document (e.g. transcripts writing samples or even recommendations) that is not specifically requested within this description.

1. Combine your cover letter and resume into a single document (Word or PDF). The cover letter must include allof the following:
   1. the title of the internship for which you are applying (one internship per application)
   2. how the named internship fits into your academic and/or career goals
   3. why your specific skills/experience/interests qualify you for the internship
   4. any periods when you are not available for an interview
   5. your contact information including e-mail and daytime phone
2. Save your document file as (LASTNAMEFIRSTNAMEPOSITIONTITLESpring2026)
3. Upload the single document as your resume via the ADP portal Internships Museum of Fine Arts Boston ASAP before December 3 2025.
4. Candidates may apply for no more than two internships per season and must submit a separate cover letter/resume document for each position.
5. **Direct any/all questions to: before submitting your application.

**Applications not conforming to these guidelines may be deemed ineligible.