Collections Management Internship

SPMMMV’s Collections Management Student Internship offers a unique educational and professional development opportunity for students interested in exploring a career in art conservation, collections, and/or museum management.

About the role

The 2026 Collection Management Intern will play a key and hands-on role in the establishment of SPMMMV’s accessioned collections and the policies and processes that support its care, growth, and use.

Responsibilities

• Digitization and Cataloging
• Implementation of a new CMS System
• Research on artworks in the Vanka collection
• Collections Recordkeeping
• Tracking the development and use of digital surrogates within the non-accessioned collections
• Organization and access control to collections storage
• Support the Collections Manager (currently the Executive Director) to implement the Collections Management Plan
• Assist the Collections Committee and respond to outside requests for research access and/or loans
• System Development: Support the implementation of the CMS
• Documentation: Update and maintain collection records, including photography of collection
• Collections Policy Implementation: Support the implementation of the Collections Management Policy and Plan and assist the Collections Manager, Collections Committee, and SPMMMV staff with a variety of collections-related tasks

Requirements

• Interest in and support for SPMMMV’s mission
• Creative, self-starter; comfortable working independently, able to manage deadlines, take initiative, and work collaboratively with a small team
• Education and/or experience with some of the following: art, conservation/preservation, museum management, arts education, non-profit administration, program management, interpretive planning, and historic preservation
• Ability to work onsite at the Vanka Murals or offsite storage facility (Strip District)
• Ability to obtain necessary clearances, including a signed commitment to the volunteer security responsibilities

Skills

• Desired: experience with art and archival handling, photography, collections documentation, and working knowledge of Excel; CM databases

Schedule

Minimum of 10–15 hours/week with a flexible schedule. Duration: Fall 2026 Semester / 3–6 months.

Pay

College Credit Eligible. Interns will receive direct mentorship from leadership, portfolio pieces highlighting campaign execution, and a letter of recommendation/credit verification upon successful completion.

Location: Millvale, PA