2026 Archives Fall Intern

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art welcomes all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization exploring the unfolding story of America through collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate American heritage and artistic possibilities. The Momentary, an extension of Crystal Bridges, is a venue for contemporary music, art, and food, serving as a catalyst for creativity and community.

About the role

The Archives Intern will assist with the arrangement, digitization, and description of archival collections, gaining hands-on experience in an art museum setting. Working under the Director of Library and Archives and the Archives Fellow, the Intern will help process the Dr. Francis V. O’Connor Research Collection, comprising artist files, manuscripts, and other papers related to O’Connor’s work on Jackson Pollock and artists of the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration. The ideal candidate is passionate about archives, art history, American history, and/or digital innovation.

Responsibilities

• Assist Library and Archives staff with the assessment, arrangement, and stabilization of physical records by creating inventories, conducting research, and rehousing materials
• Digitize archival records; name, describe, and organize digital files
• Assist in the creation of archival database records and collection finding aids
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Academic background in library or information science, art history, or a related field
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Dependable and punctual
• Knowledge of Microsoft apps is required; familiarity with archival databases (the museum uses ArchivEra) and digitization equipment/software is a plus
• Must pass a background check
• Must maintain confidentiality of all non-public museum information
• To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s hours, must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the past three years (current schedule or official transcript required)

Schedule

• High School Interns: up to 15 hours a week
• Undergraduate Interns: up to 20 hours a week
• Graduate Interns: up to 25 hours a week
• Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor
• Anticipated Start Date: August 24th or September 21st
• Anticipated End Date: November 13th or December 12th

Pay

• High School Interns: $12.00/hour
• Undergraduate Students: $13.00/hour
• Graduate Students: $14.00/hour

Benefits

• Possible course credit (negotiable with departmental supervisor)
• Housing may be provided contingent upon funding availability; priority given to students whose primary residence is more than 150 miles or three hours from the museum (taxable income)

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The position requires work at a desk utilizing a computer for prolonged periods, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for accessing materials in storage, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet. Visual acuity to review written materials is required. Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, and both on-site and offsite collection storage spaces. The noise level is usually low to moderate.

Required documents: Cover letter addressing the following questions, plus a resume.

• What draws you to archival work, and how have your academic, personal, or professional experiences shaped your interest in preserving and interpreting historical materials?
• Describe a time when you had to organize, analyze, or make sense of a large amount of information. What approach did you take, and what did you learn?
• This internship offers hands-on experience across physical and digital workflows. What skills or knowledge areas are you hoping to strengthen during your time in the archives?