2026 Ceramics Fall Intern

About the role

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome 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.

Position Summary

The Studio Ceramics Public Programs Internship at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary (CBMO) provides hands-on experience in ceramics education, studio operations, public engagement, and creative program development. Participants support a variety of ceramic-focused activities, including classes, workshops, artist demonstrations, open studio sessions, gallery experiences, and museum-wide events. Through these experiences, they gain practical skills in clay preparation and recycling, glaze mixing, kiln loading and unloading, studio organization, materials management, and visitor engagement. The position also offers exposure to the daily operations of a working ceramics studio, helping participants develop an understanding of ceramic processes, studio safety, equipment maintenance, and the planning required to support educational programs for diverse audiences.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support ceramics public programs, including classes, workshops, artist demonstrations, open studio sessions, gallery engagements, and museum-wide events.
• Prepare and maintain studio materials, including clay, glazes, tools, and firing supplies.
• Support ceramic studio operations through clay recycling, glaze mixing, kiln loading and unloading, and general studio organization.
• Interact with visitors, students, and community members in a positive, welcoming, and professional manner.
• Follow and promote studio safety practices while assisting with equipment and materials.
• Research, develop, and propose new ideas for ceramic programming based on personal interests, community needs, and current trends in contemporary ceramics and craft.
• Contribute to the creation of engaging, inclusive, and accessible ceramic arts experiences for audiences of all ages and skill levels.

Timeline

• Anticipated Start Date: Week of September 21, 2026
• Anticipated End Date: Week of December 12, 2026
• Schedule: Hours: Undergraduate students: Up to 20 hours a week; Graduate students: Up to 25 hours a week
• Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Physical demands: In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office.
• Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.
• Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces.
• The noise level in the museum work environment is usually low to moderate.

Application Materials

• Interns that do not submit a resume AND cover letter will not be considered for this opportunity.
• Please answer the following questions in your cover letter when submitting your application:
• What interests you most about ceramics and the role clay can play in engaging people through hands-on art experiences?
• How would you approach collaborating with ceramic artists, instructors, and participants to create a successful and welcoming studio environment?
• Which aspects of ceramics are you most interested in learning about, and why?
• What types of ceramic classes, workshops, or community engagement activities would you suggest making studio programming accessible, engaging, and relevant to a diverse audience?
• Describe how you balance attention to detail, organization, and creativity when working on projects or learning new skills.
• How would you help create an inclusive and welcoming environment for participants with different ages, backgrounds, skill levels, and experiences with clay?

Additional Information

• To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years.
• Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript to verify eligibility.
• To qualify for bachelor's- or master's-level compensation, applicants must be currently enrolled in, or have graduated within the past three years from, an accredited bachelor's or master's program.
• Applicants must submit either a current class schedule or an official transcript to verify eligibility.
• All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check.
• In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.
• Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.