Conservation Intern

Department
Heritage Preservation, Planning, & Outreach
Supervisor
Outreach Conservator
Hours
10
Location
Semester(s)
Fall 2024 (September - December)
Status
Paid

This position is an introduction to the field of conservation. The intern will cycle through each of the conservation labs (Book and Paper, Textile, and Objects) as well as work with the Outreach Conservator. They will gain unique experience within 4 different subfields of conservation and participate in projects such as conservation treatment, collections rehousing, condition reporting, and developing outreach materials. 

Ideal Degree(s)
  • Art/Art history
  • Conservation
  • History
Student Qualifications
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to concentrate and finish tasks in a timely manner
  • Good hand skills
  • Good organizational skills
  • Interest in conservation
Student Responsibilities
  • Assist in creating enclosures for collection items
  • Conduct basic conservation treatments as assigned
  • Adhere to best practices and exercise care when working with collection items
  • Engage respectfully with other museum staff, volunteers, and members of the public
  • Execute tasks in a timely manner
  • Arrive on time and stay for the agreed upon shift
  • Must be able to set aside 4-5 hours at a time for each shift
Knowledge Intern is expected to gain
  • Familiarity with best practices and current issues in conservation
  • Experience in creating custom enclosures and mounts for a variety of different collections materials
  • Experience in basic condition reporting and conservation treatment
  • Experience sharing conservation with the wider public
  • An understanding of the role of conservation in the broader functioning of a cultural institution
Additional Requirements

Please mention in your application any previous experience involving hand skills (hobbies, classes, etc.)

How to Apply

Send a cover letter, resume, PDF copy of unofficial school transcripts, and any required additional materials to internships@mnhs.org. 

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference--we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our volunteers, interns, employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.