The Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum & Art Gallery is seeking a graduate student for a 24-week paid internship. This successful candidate will work 40 hours per week. This is a graduate student internship focusing on museum collections management.
The Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum & Art Gallery is comprised of an exhibition gallery on the campus of Penn State University Park plus the EMS Museum Center for Education, Research, and Collections (CERC) off campus. There will be opportunities to work in both locations with the majority of the project tasks taking place at CERC in collections storage rooms and curation office.
The Collections Management Intern will work closely with the EMS Museum Collections Manager to conduct detailed inventories of collections in storage and on exhibit, confirm object location accuracy, identify object housing and storage needs, create digital images of objects as needed, and create or update collections management database records. There will be opportunities for the Collections Management Intern to work with other EMS Museum personnel and assist with exhibit development and installation, special events, gallery tours, and other museum events and activities.
This internship will provide hands-on experience with care, planning, and preventive conservation strategies required for handling and preserving museum objects comprised of different material types. The EMS Museum’s collections include earth materials (rocks, minerals, fossils, industrial by-products), mid-century industrial art (paintings, works on paper, sculpture), and historic scientific equipment and tools of research and education.
Qualifications:
- Current enrollment in a graduate program of Museum Studies, Museum Science, Archives Management, Industrial History, or other relevant fields of study
- Strong interest in museum collections management and care, data management, and inventory control
- Ability to conduct research relating to natural history and industrial heritage using print and online sources
- Basic computer skills and understanding of the purpose and use of collections management databases
- Ability to use digital photographic equipment to produce quality images for collections records
- Ability to lift and move up to 40 lbs., sit or stand for extended periods, maintain attention to detail for prolonged periods, read cursive writing, and write legibly.
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.
Compensation: $18.00/hour
For more information contact:
Patti Wood Finkle, EMS Museum & Art Gallery Collections Manager: (814) 863-6017; pwf5120@psu.edu
or
Julianne Snider, EMS Museum & Art Gallery Director: jxs1030@psu.edu