Navigating the MoMA Graphic Design Internship: A Comprehensive Guide
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) offers a variety of internship programs designed to provide aspiring museum professionals with invaluable experience. These internships offer exposure to the inner workings of a world-renowned art institution. For those specifically interested in graphic design or related fields, understanding the requirements and opportunities within MoMA's internship framework is essential. This article explores the various internship programs offered by MoMA, with a focus on the requirements and potential roles relevant to graphic design.
MoMA Internship Programs: An Overview
MoMA provides several internship pathways, each with distinct durations, focuses, and eligibility criteria:
Summer Internship Program: This program offers participants in-depth exposure to the workings of MoMA’s individual departments, as well as practical and theoretical training in museum practices, and acquaints them with the role of museums in contemporary society. Interns contribute to timely projects, gain insight into the functions of individual departments, and learn about MoMA’s various collections, exhibitions, and programs for visitors. Candidates are required to have at least two years of undergraduate study completed by the start of their internship program (i.e., rising junior status) to participate. Summer internships require a commitment of at least four days per week.
12-Month Internship Program: This program provides training in specific museum fields through close work with professional staff members, familiarity with modern and contemporary art through seminars and discussions, and an educational program that exposes interns to the workings of the Museum as a whole, while considering the role of museums in the broader cultural context. 12-month interns assist with exhibition and collection research, processing collection documentation or curatorial files, archiving, and other duties. The focused departmental training is integrated with winter, spring, and summer lecture series and complemented with financial provisions for interns to create a research trip related to their field of interest. Additionally, monthly activities are designed specifically for this cohort to receive greater exposure to the museum and art fields. Candidates are required to be recent graduates of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program by the start of the internship program.
MoMA PS1 Internship: MoMA PS1 offers blended internships with onsite and remote opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and beginning professionals with practical experience in a specific area of museum work. Our internship program provides the opportunity to learn about the operations of a nonprofit art institution and work alongside some of the world’s most exciting contemporary artists and curators. Full-time, 12-month internships with stipends are offered for recent college graduates interested in pursuing a museum career. The focused departmental training is integrated with the fall, spring, and summer lecture series and complemented with financial provisions for the interns to create a research trip related to their field of interest. Twelve-month internships provide training in specific museum fields through close work with a professional staff member, familiarity with modern and contemporary art through seminars and discussions, and an educational program that exposes interns to the workings of the Museum as a whole, while considering the role of museums in the broader cultural context.
Read also: Breaking into Motion Graphics
Potential Roles for Graphic Design Interns
While specific graphic design internships may vary, here are potential roles and departments where design skills could be utilized. It is important to note that not all of these roles may be available every year.
Research and Development Intern
- Description: The intern will assist the director of Research and Development, Paola Antonelli, in all areas. The intern will coordinate a group of R&D advisors and organize meetings of various scale and kind, from one-on-one interviews to private salons and public symposia.
- Requirements: Academic background in communication, journalism, design criticism, or a similarly composed curriculum that combines innovation, communication, and design. Knowledgeable and self-assured in using contemporary media. Technologically up to date and conversant with design, especially interfaces and interaction. Excellent writing, communication, research, and organizational skills. Highly motivated with attention to detail. Enthusiasm for working with a team and ability to manage multiple projects.
Exhibition-Related Intern
- Description: The intern will assist with tasks related to two MoMA exhibitions and publications: Items: Is Fashion Modern?, opening September 2017, and The Architecture of Socialist Yugoslavia, 1945-1991 (working title), opening in June 2018. Responsibilities specific to the Items exhibition include assisting with planning and logistics for the exhibition opening reception, helping coordinate with external and internal parties for exhibition-related public programming, and assisting curatorial staff with the management of a high volume of exhibition-related tasks and inquiries once the exhibition is on view. The exhibition’s primary focus will be fashion design. Films, photographs, drawings, prints, and works in other mediums will also be included. The exhibition will include a number of loaned works. Responsibilities specific to the Architecture of Socialist Yugoslavia, 1945-1991 exhibition include assisting with researching and clearing image rights for exhibition, catalogue, and digital use; handling written correspondence and project inquiries with internal and external parties; assisting with loan documentation; assisting with the organization, documentation, and cataloging of works for inclusion in the exhibition; helping to collate and route object labels and explanatory texts through internal approvals; and assisting curatorial staff with the management of a high volume of exhibition-related tasks and inquiries once the exhibition is on view. The exhibition’s primary focus will be architecture from socialist Yugoslavia. Models, films, photographs, drawings, prints, and works in other mediums will also be included. The exhibition will include a number of loaned works.
- Requirements: The ideal candidate will have experience working in curatorial and research settings, will have a background in architecture and/or design, and will possess excellent writing skills. The intern will have completed scholarly research for academic and/or museum projects, and have a working knowledge of best practices in curatorial procedures (creating and refining a checklist, generating object labels and wall texts, etc.). The candidate should have exceptional organizational and communication skills; demonstrated ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines; and the ability to take initiative.
Digital Media Intern
- Description: This is an entry-level position that offers wide exposure and deep insight into the inner workings of an agile digital team at a major cultural organization. Collaborates with developers, editors, producers, designers, and outside vendors, and works cross-departmentally with stakeholders across the Museum to ensure content and feature requests are carried out successfully. Assists in the prioritization and scheduling of tasks and small projects. Gathers and organizes images and media files, checks rights and credits, and preps images as final assets for Web production. Tracks Web metrics and responds to user feedback. Conducts testing and quality assurance, including in-gallery user testing.
- Requirements: The Digital Media team welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The ideal candidate is a skilled writer, with an enthusiasm for art, who avidly follows new technologies and digital culture. Has a bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent experience. Proactive and creative problem-solver who works well under pressure in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and shifting priorities. Comfortable working collaboratively as well as on their own-a self-starter. Strong writing and editing skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Good knowledge of HTML, CSS, and Adobe Photoshop preferred.
General Requirements and Desired Skills
Regardless of the specific department, several general requirements and desired skills apply to most MoMA internships:
- Educational Background: Varies depending on the program. Summer internships typically require at least two years of undergraduate study completed. 12-month internships often require a recent bachelor's or master's degree. Specific departments may prefer candidates with backgrounds in art history, design, or related fields.
- Research Skills: The ability to conduct thorough and accurate research is crucial. This includes familiarity with academic databases, library resources, and online archives.
- Writing and Communication Skills: Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills are essential for tasks such as drafting reports, writing labels, and communicating with colleagues and external partners.
- Organizational Skills: Museum environments often involve managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize tasks are highly valued.
- Technical Proficiency: Depending on the role, proficiency in software such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), and content management systems (CMS) may be required.
- Interest in Art and Museum Practices: A genuine interest in modern and contemporary art, as well as a desire to learn about museum operations, is fundamental.
How to Prepare for a MoMA Internship Application
- Research Specific Departments: Before applying, thoroughly research the departments that align with your interests and skills. Understand their current projects, exhibitions, and initiatives.
- Tailor Your Application: Customize your resume and cover letter to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the specific internship you are applying for.
- Showcase Your Portfolio: If applying for a design-related role, prepare a portfolio that showcases your best work. Include a variety of projects that demonstrate your skills and creativity.
- Seek Recommendations: Obtain letters of recommendation from professors, mentors, or former employers who can attest to your abilities and work ethic.
- Proofread Carefully: Ensure that your application materials are free of errors in grammar and spelling.
- Prepare for the Interview: If selected for an interview, be prepared to discuss your interests, skills, and experiences in detail. Research MoMA's history, mission, and current exhibitions.
Read also: A Guide to Graphic Design Internships
Read also: Global Graphic Design Internship Programs
tags: #moma #graphic #design #internship #requirements
