ASHEVILLE, NC.- The Asheville Art Museum announces its Summer 2009 Internship opportunities and will be accepting applications through April 24, 2009.

The Internship Program at the Asheville Art Museum offers participants “hands-on” training in the museum profession and a comprehensive overview of Museum operations. Interns participate in the day-to-day activities of Museum departments, in addition to working on specific projects.

The Summer 2008 interns were a smart, dedicated group of students who made a great impact at the Museum. The interns were in various departments of the Museum: Curatorial, Education, Communications & PR and a legal intern to assist in review of Museum policies. The Museum Staff is highly appreciative of their hard work.

The interns were given projects and responsibilities relative to departments and subjects of their interests as well as within the overall operations of the Museum.

Summer 2008 intern, Crystal Sanchez, says, “My work as an intern at the Asheville Art Museum allowed me to completely understand the responsibilities that a modern museum faces in order to remain efficient in its operations, creative in its educational impact, and active as an instrumental part of the community. The Museum’s unique organizational culture and enthusiastic staff created a unique environment from which I was able to work with each area of the Museum, gaining knowledge of a museum’s separate departments and responsibilities, while also focusing on a few major projects within my own field. My understanding of the role of a museum, in both the day to day workings and in living out its general mission, has been strengthened through my internship experience at the Asheville Art Museum.”

The Asheville Art Museum Staff looks forward to welcoming the new Summer 2009 Interns.

When making arrangements, please keep in mind that internships are unpaid. We are happy to work with universities that offer credit for internships.

Interns must be able to work a minimum of two days per week. The exact schedule will be determined with the department supervisor.

Application Process: Please submit a 1-2 page letter of interest that states related educational experience and skills and contact information for two references. Please specify which department you would be most interested in interning with, as we hope to match all interns with their first choices.

We have a limited number of internships available each summer and we regret that we cannot always accommodate everyone as these internships are competitive. Prospective interns will be interviewed by at least one staff member.

Asheville Art Museum
Attn: Internship Program
PO Box 1717
Asheville, NC 28802

Or e-mail your letter with RE: INTERNSHIPS in the subject line to: nsokolove@ashevilleart.org.

Please do not call before you have sent your application. Application deadline is April 24, 2009.

Summer 2009 Internships:

Communications & Public Relations
The Communication & Public Relations Department expands public awareness of the Museum and aims to increases attendance and revenue. The department produces the Museum’s media releases; circulates images for reproduction, places advertisements, produces newsletters and other promotional materials. Interns will assist in producing media and in coordinating special events.

Museum Store & Visitor Services
The Museum Store complements the Museum’s exhibition schedule by providing a stunning assortment of art related titles and objects for sale. Interns will gain experience in the day-to-day operations of a retail space, budgeting, visual merchandising, marketing, visitor services and special events.

Curatorial
The Curatorial Department researches and organizes upcoming exhibitions, including the development of timelines, checklists, and signage; produces exhibition catalogues; corresponds with artists, curators, galleries and museums. Interns will be introduced to issues relating to art history and will obtain administrative and curatorial skills in organizing art exhibitions.

Development
The Development Department is responsible for all grants from government, foundation, and corporate sources; the membership program; contributions to the Museum; and the capital campaign for building and endowment needs. Interns will assist in researching prospective donors, program planning, membership events and grants writing.

Education
Education internships offer college art and art education students the opportunity to experience and develop skills in all aspects of arts education in a contemporary arts organization.

The Museum’s education staff will work closely with interns, mentoring such skills as interacting with groups of varying ages, assisting with exhibition/curriculum based art projects for various age groups, collaborating with our summer arts program teachers in the studio and more.

Requirements: Interns will be assisted by Education Department with administrative tasks and are expected to be involved with the stimulating and creative activities of our program. We are looking for congenial, energetic, highly motivated and creative individuals. Applicants should be familiar with a variety of art materials. Most importantly, you must have a positive enthusiastic attitude towards interacting with young people.