Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library Internship
About Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
“I sincerely hope that the Museum will be a continuing source of inspiration and education for all time, and that the gardens and grounds will of themselves be a country place museum where visitors may enjoy as I have, not only the flowers, trees and shrubs, but also the sunlit meadows, shady wood paths, and the peace and great calm of a country place which has been loved and taken care of for three generations.” – Henry Francis du Pont
65 years ago, collector and horticulturist Henry Francis du Pont (1880–1969) opened his childhood home, Winterthur, to the public. Today, Winterthur (pronounced “winter-tour”) is the premier museum of American decorative arts, with an unparalleled collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America between about 1640 and 1860. The collection is displayed in the magnificent 175-room house, much as it was when the du Pont family lived here, as well as in permanent and changing exhibition galleries.
Winterthur is set amidst a 1,000-acre preserve of rolling meadows and woodlands. Designed by du Pont, its 60-acre naturalistic garden is among America’s best, with magnificent specimen plantings and massed displays of color. Graduate programs and a preeminent research library make Winterthur an important center for the study of American art and culture.
Overview of Curatorial Internship
Individuals passionate about pursuing careers in the Museum field and seeking professional experience through hands-on training are invited to apply for a ten-week summer internship with the Collections Division at Winterthur Museum. This internship will provide the opportunity to work closely the museum’s curatorial staff and assist them with public outreach, object research and management, and exhibition interpretation for Winterthur’s premiere collection of American decorative arts. They will also gain the opportunity to learn about new prospects in Digital Humanities engagement with Winterthur’s partner institution, the University of Delaware. The successful applicant will join Winterthur’s Curatorial Department but through various projects, may also work with other departments, including Registration, Education, Development, and Academic Programs.
The intern's role will include:
- Exploring and implementing Digital Humanities strategies in order to increase public outreach and awareness
- Producing photographic/video content for relevant social media platforms
- Supporting curators with exhibition research, planning, and public programming
- Assisting with the continued research and cataloging of museum collections
- Training in object movement and handling
- Performing other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Major, or significant coursework, in American decorative arts, art history, American history or similar subjects preferred
- Familiarity with Digital Humanities
- Excellent research and writing skills, including ability to work with primary documents
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills with attentiveness to detail
- Flexibility and a good sense of humor
