Archives Intern

About the role

Cai Studio is seeking a paid Archives Intern to join its Archives Department beginning in Fall 2026. This fully in-person position requires a minimum six-month commitment and is based primarily at the studio’s East Village office, with occasional workdays at the New Jersey office (transportation arranged by the studio). The intern will support the organization, description, and digitization of archival materials documenting Cai Guo-Qiang’s work and practice, focusing on project files that trace the development and realization of artworks, exhibitions, publications, and other initiatives. The internship is well suited to someone interested in contemporary art and art archives who wishes to gain close experience within a living‑artist archive that continues to grow and evolve. For the right candidate, the position may develop into a long‑term, full‑time role, depending on performance and the studio’s needs.

Responsibilities

• Support the organization, description, and digitization of archival materials.
• Focus on project files documenting the development and realization of artworks, exhibitions, publications, and other initiatives.
• Assist with maintaining photographs, videos, and printed documentation of artworks and the art‑making process.
• Contribute to publications, exhibitions, and scholarship that enhance understanding of the artist.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated interest in archive, libraries, preservation, or collections care.
• Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail.
• Ability to work carefully and consistently with large quantities of archival materials and data.
• Ability to follow established workflows and documentation protocols.
• Basic proficiency with Excel.
• Ability to carry and lift heavy boxes and other material (up to 20 lbs.), including up and down stairs.

Skills

• Ability to read Chinese and/or Japanese.
• Previous experience working in an archive, library, or museum collection.
• Current or recent student in an MSLIS program.
• Background or interest in contemporary art and art history.
• Experience working with databases and digitizing archival materials.
• Familiarity with working with CollectiveAccess or other digital asset management systems.

Pay

$17 per hour.

Schedule

3–4 days per week, 10 am–6 pm (minimum six‑month commitment). Deadline to apply: September 30, 2026.

About

Under the direction of the artist Cai Guo‑Qiang, Cai Studio oversees the fabrication of original artworks, the coordination of public exhibitions, and the conception and production of related publications. The archive department is one of the studio’s four principal departments, alongside Projects, Collections, and Administration. The Archives Department catalogs and maintains photographs, videos, and printed documentation of artworks, the art making process, and exhibitions, from the earliest stages of Cai’s career up to the present. The team supports publications, exhibitions, and scholarship that contribute to a wider understanding of the artist.