• Harn Museum of Art Mission Statement

    The Harn Museum of Art’s mission is to inspire, educate and enrich people’s lives through art to this purpose the museum builds and maintains exemplary art collections and produces a wide variety of challenging, innovative exhibitions and stimulating educational programs. Suggested: As an integral part of the University of Florida, the museum advances teaching and research and is a catalyst for creative engagement between the university and diverse local, state, national and international audiences.

    Internship Program Description

    Since 1990, the Harn Museum of Art has provided internship opportunities to college undergraduate and graduate students. Internships have been offered in all museum departments with the goal of exposing interns to standard museum procedures, issues and practices.

    Internships offer the opportunity for those interested in museum-related professions to gain valuable practical experience in the field while receiving guidance and mentoring from museum professionals. In addition, the museum benefits from the work and contributions made by the intern towards the goals and daily activities of the museum.

    Harn internships are available on an ongoing basis with three yearly application deadlines and selection periods. Internships require a specific number of hours per week as outlined in each project description, during which interns complete the objectives of a specific target project as well as daily departmental assignments. Interns have the opportunity to participate in departmental meetings, special events and various educational programs when appropriate. Interns are required to give a short presentation on their project to staff during the semester.

    Harn Museum of Art internships are open to all qualified individuals, without reference to age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or condition of disability. Internship candidates from all backgrounds, including students with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. Please contact us directly at register@harn.ufl.edu with questions that may arise throughout the application process, including but not limited to inquiries related to accommodation needs.

  • Overview of Internship Opportunities

    The Harn Museum of Art offers various paid internship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students. The internship program is designed to be a co-curricular complement to their studies. Students must be actively enrolled for credit during the semester they intend to intern to be eligible. Internships will generally relate to a specific project and department within the museum. For a list of current projects offered by each department, visit www.harn.ufl.edu/interships/. Weekly work schedules can be flexibly arranged depending on the intern’s needs, museum hours and the museum staff’s schedule.

    In addition to applying for departmental and special internships, applicants may submit their own proposals. For instructions regarding student internship proposals, please see the “Student Initiated Proposal” (SIP) on the intern webpage. Please keep in mind the feasibility, cost, and scale of your project to be completed in one semester.

    Internship Appointments and Deadlines

    Applications are accepted for internships in the Fall, Spring and Summer academic terms. Application deadlines are noted on the website at https://harn.ufl.edu/internships/

    Qualifications

    Students applying for internships at the Harn Museum should be graduate or undergraduate students in good standing at the University of Florida or their respective institutions. The internship program is designed to be a co-curricular complement to their studies. Students must be actively enrolled for credit during the semester they intend to intern to be eligible. Qualified undergraduate students will carry a minimum GPA of 3.0; graduate students, a GPA of at least 3.5. Note: If your GPA does not meet the standards listed above at the time of your application, please enclose a letter explaining any extenuating circumstances or change of major that might have affected it.

    Qualified applicants will also demonstrate the following:

    • interest in the arts, art museum career or related profession
    • dedication to ethics and professionalism
    • a commitment to the mission of the Harn Museum
    • strong writing and research skills
    • a desire to further their personal educational and career goals by way of successful completion of an internship at the Harn Museum.

  • Selection Criteria

    In selecting and placing applicants in an internship position, preference is given to matching the opportunities currently available at the museum. PLEASE NOTE that you can only apply to one internship opportunity per semester. Additionally, staff availability and the project's suitability for museum, staff and applicant requests are considerations in the selection and placement process. Finally, the cover letter of intent, academic standing, skills, experience and letters of recommendation also figure into the selection process.

    Review Process & Notification

    Upon receipt of application materials, an acknowledgement email will be sent to the applicant with a date for when to expect a notification, generally within six weeks, of the museum decision to select or decline an application. Interviews may be required for finalists in the selection process; telephone or video interviews may be substituted.

    Additional Required Application Materials

    1. A short letter of intent (no longer than one page) uploaded a .pdf or .docx file. This should serve as the cover letter for your application and should include the following information: the semester and year you are interested in working including proposed starting and ending dates; whether or not you want to earn credit for the internship and, if so, how many; the number of hours you anticipate working per week; why you are interested in this internship; how this internship relates to your coursework and/or major area of study; and specific educational and career goals that you wish to achieve by completing it.
    2. A resume or curriculum vitae
    3. Contact information for two recommenders who will write a letter of support for your application. The system will contact your recommenders directly for letter submission.
    4. A background check may be required in some but not all internship projects. We will notify the selected candidate if this applies.
    5. One set of transcripts from current institution. You may submit unofficial transcripts.
    6. If you are applying for graphic design projects, in PR/Marketing, you must submit 3 to 5 digital samples examples of your graphic design work. Samples may include video spots, event photography or portraits.
    7. If you are applying for curatorial internships, please upload a writing sample.

    Complete application materials must be uploaded to the internship application portal listed on or before the due date.

  • Course Credit

    A student at the University of Florida may earn credit for an internship arranged with their advisor or professor as long as they are enrolled and pays for the credits during the semester(s) of the internship. If you are not a University of Florida student, you will need to check your institution’s policy regarding credit for paid internships.

    Within the School of Art and Art History (SAAH) at the University of Florida, a three-credit internship is equal to approximately 9 hours of work per week during a standard semester. Hence, 135 hours is the minimum a student must work to earn three hours of credit. If the student wishes to complete the internship during a shortened summer term, the hours should be adjusted accordingly so that the minimum 135 hours are worked (ex., approximately 23 hours per week in a 6-week period). Again, if you are not a student in the SAAH or at the University of Florida, you will need to consult your college, department, or institution about policies regarding credit for internship hours. Non-credit internships and non-funded internships are also available on a volunteer basis; hours are to be determined by the prospective intern and the internship coordinator or supervisor on a semester basis.

  • Availability Information

    The following information is necessary for proper internship placement. Please note that our program's policy requires the project supervisor to be on-site while the Intern is at the Harn Museum.

    Most museum staff members work a standard work week (8 AM to 5 PM, M-F),
    although the Harn Museum of Art is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday evenings from 5 PM to 9 PM, and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM.

    Please keep these hours of operation in mind as you make a tentative schedule; work hours will ultimately be dictated by the requirements of the specific internship for which you are applying.

  • Curatorial

    The curatorial department is responsible for the acquisition, exhibition and interpretation of works of art for the Harn Museum. The department is organized into five curatorial areas that encompass international art from ancient to current times: Asian Art, African Art, Modern Art, Contemporary Art and Fine Art Photography. Research, collection development and public presentation are dedicated to enhancing the educational mission of the University of Florida by providing an arena for critical inquiry, aesthetic exploration, academic support and cultural exchange.

    Special application instructions for these projects:

    Please upload a writing sample. This may be an excerpt from a recent paper completed for class, work on an honor’s thesis, or other writing that demonstrates writing ability, ability to complete research, and critical thinking.

  • Education

    The Harn Museum’s education department creates meaningful art experiences for diverse audiences with the goals of fostering community, inspiring creativity, and encouraging new voices in museums. Museum educators develop, produce, implement, facilitate and evaluate educational programs supporting the museum’s exhibitions to provide visitors with a center for interactive learning. Through partnerships with university departments, local school systems, and community groups, we offer a wide variety of programs for all ages. These include public programs like lectures and performances (in-person and online), curriculum materials for educators and inquiry-based tours led by trained volunteer docents.

  • Marketing & PR

    The marketing and public relations department communicates information about the Harn Museum to the media and public and is responsible for all marketing and promotional endeavors in order to increase attendance and community involvement.

    This includes generating general brochures and press kits on the museum and exhibitions; writing news releases on current and upcoming exhibitions, events, or issues; producing promotional advertising and marketing campaign materials; maintaining the museum website; and making presentations on the museum to local groups and organizations. Meeting with and responding to requests from media representatives is a significant role of the department.

    The department also creates the Harn Members’ magazine, and maintains the museum’s mailing list for correspondence with museums, art galleries, art organizations, and local, state and national media.

    Special application instructions for this project:

    Along with the application, please submit 3 - 5 digital samples of your work in the additional document uploads or provide a link to your website/portfolio. Samples may include video spots, event photography or portraits. Demonstrated skill in varying light levels is a plus. If experience has not been gained through prior work or internships, a polished class project or custom mock content is acceptable as an alternative.

    Questions? Email info@harn.ufl.edu.

  • Visitor Engagement

    Visitor engagement enhances the way that the museum welcomes and offers amenities for visitors. The department keeps track of museum attendance, gathers comments, and answer questions. Our Visitor Engagement Assistants, not only guide guests through the museum but enforce policies to keep the artwork and other visitors safe. The department also coordinates the rentals of Harn spaces for events, meetings, and social gatherings. The museum store is also managed by Visitor Engagement through the thoughtful presentation of an inventory that simultaneously reflects facets of the exhibits and provides informative insights into artistic achievement in general.

  • Registration & Preparation

    The registration and preparation department is responsible for the intellectual and physical control and safety of all works of art in the possession and care of the museum. Among other things registration staff maintains object records, oversees object cataloguing and arranges transportation and insurance for loans while ensuring object safety through appropriate environmental conditions, proper handling and archival storage and display methods. The preparation staff is responsible for object crating and packing, gallery preparation and maintenance and oversees the installation and de-installation of all the museum’s exhibitions.

  • Development

    The development department is responsible for the fundraising priorities of the museum. Memberships, grants, sponsorships and major gift fundraising (gifts over $100,000) are the responsibilities of the department. The department relates to the museum as a whole by attempting to facilitate the budget needs of each museum department and by strategically planning for the endowment growth of the institution.

     

  • Browse Files
    Drag and drop files here
    Choose a file
    Cancelof
  • Browse Files
    Drag and drop files here
    Choose a file
    Cancelof
  • Browse Files
    Drag and drop files here
    Choose a file
    Cancelof
  • Browse Files
    Drag and drop files here
    Choose a file
    Cancelof

  • Please provide the name and email of recommenders that you would like to have send letters of support for your internship application.

  • I authorize and release the University of Florida to verify all information submitted in support of my application, including but not limited to my application and résumé.

    I certify that the application and/or résumé submitted are a complete and accurate description of my work experience, education, and background.

    I certify that the answers to the above questions are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

  • Clear
  • Should be Empty: