Vera List Center Summer 2019 Curatorial Internship

Summer 2019 Curatorial Internship

The Vera List Center for Art and Politics is pleased to accept applications for its paid Curatorial Intern position for summer 2019. A scholarly research center and public forum on the intersection of art and politics, the center is part of The New School, a university in New York City.

About the Vera List Center for Art and Politics

The Vera List Center for Art and Politics was established at The New School in 1992—a time of rousing debates about freedom of speech, identity politics, and society’s investment in the arts. A pioneer in the field, the center is a nonprofit organization serving a critical mission: to foster and sustain vibrant and diverse communities of artists, scholars, and policy makers who take creative, intellectual, and political risks to bring about positive change. We champion the arts as expressions of the political moments from which they emerge, and consider the intersection between art and politics the space where new forms of civic engagement must be developed. Through public programs and classes, prizes and fellowships, publications and exhibitions that probe some of the pressing issues of our time, we curate and support new roles for the arts and artists in advancing social justice.

About this position

The Curatorial Intern will be involved in all aspects of researching and organizing public programs and exhibitions that address the intersection of art and politics, and will develop a comprehensive understanding of the center’s distinct position as a member of New York City’s cultural community and its national and international networks.

Working with the Curator, the intern gains relevant practical work experience and professional development opportunities from the center’s research methodologies and organizational strategies that are informed by a biennial focus theme and result in public events, exhibitions, fellowships, and the international biennial Jane Lombard Prize for Art and Social Justice.
Responsibilities

The Curatorial Intern will work alongside VLC staff by providing day-to-day support at the office. This position is multifaceted including both curatorial and administrative responsibilities, the latter of which includes database development and archival work. Curatorial responsibilities of the internship include:

– Collaborating with staff on public programs for the Jane Lombard Prize for Art and Social Justice, especially the 2019 Vera List Center Forum in late October 2019, an international conference with prize recipients and finalists as well as participants from a variety of organizations, art organizations, educational institutions and independent artists from various countries;

– Assisting in the conception, design and planning of the Jane Lombard Prize exhibition, showcasing the work of the 2018-2020 prize recipient Chimurenga, a pan-African performance collective.

– Providing editorial and administrative support for forthcoming VLC publications related to topics and themes of previous programming and initiatives especially on anonymous Syrian film collective Abounaddara.
Required skills, knowledge, and abilities

Candidates must currently be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student, with a primary focus on contemporary art practices. Strong office, administrative, and organizational skills are critical as is the ability to work independently and collaboratively. We are looking for someone who possesses excellent writing and communication skills, and who is comfortable communicating with colleagues at all levels of the team and the larger organization. Additional consideration will be given to candidates with curatorial and editorial experience.

Terms

The internship requires a commitment of three days per week for 10 weeks, starting in late May/early June 2019. The Vera List Center offers $15/hour.
The Vera List Center strongly encourages applications from minority candidates.

To apply, please submit a letter of interest, resume and writing sample no longer than 10 pages, by April 8, 2019, to vlc@newschool.edu with the subject Curatorial Internship. No phone calls, please.