Climate Museum Summer Internships 2022 – Museum Studies

About:

The Climate Museum is seeking college or graduate student interns to join our team of climate ambassadors for the summer of 2022. The Museum’s mission is to inspire action on the climate crisis with programming across the arts and sciences that deepens understanding, builds connections, and advances just solutions.

Since the start of its public programming in late 2017, the Museum has created an activist, cultural approach to community engagement with climate, recognizing that most Americans are worried about the climate crisis but are unsure how to take meaningful action. The Museum’s free, accessible exhibitions, art installations, advocacy tools, online events, youth programs, and more have broadened the climate movement, introducing an interdisciplinary approach to climate with an emphasis on community, justice, equity, and inclusion. Programs are presented at the Museum’s exhibition hub on Governors Island, in galleries and public spaces citywide, and, since 2020, through virtual events as well. The Museum is currently scaling out to a permanent, year-round presence in New York City. Additional information is available at climatemuseum.org.

This internship presents the opportunity to play a generative role in a fast-paced, evolving organization. Interns will carry out tasks in an intellectually vibrant and supportive environment within a culture centered around respect and inclusion.

These internships are unpaid, with an option for college credit if your school allows it. Some colleges offer stipends for nonprofit internships. We are able to work with you and your internship office to submit all relevant documentation if you are receiving a stipend.

Interns will work with the Museum team (and their office dog) at their office in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan as well as occasional shifts at the Governors Island exhibition hub. Full vaccinations and in-person presence are required.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting immediately. Summer internships will begin in May depending on the applicant’s spring semester end date.

Internship description:

The Museum is offering four intern tracks: General Intern, Development/Fundraising, Social Media/PR, and Digital Design. Interns will largely focus on the following tasks with additional responsibilities that will vary depending on the immediate needs of the Climate Museum.

General intern

Assist with organization and execution of events linked to our exhibition (focused on climate and inequality; open June – October), a public art commission, and youth programs.
Research topics related to the Museum’s mission and program development.
Support outreach to education, community, and nonprofit groups to build new audiences for programs.
Interact with Museum visitors as a docent at the exhibition once per week and participate in events in an ambassadorial role.
Participate in team brainstorms and support the development of public programs.
Manage integration of Salesforce into program management (no prior Salesforce experience required; training provided).

Development:

Support the execution of fundraising and development tasks, including stewardship of current and prospective donors by conducting supporter profiles and background research.
Assist with preparation of fundraising materials.
Join Development team meetings.
Support administrative processes, including utilization of Salesforce CRM.
Interact with Museum visitors as a docent at the exhibition once per week and participate in events in an ambassadorial role.

Digital Design:

Create graphics using the Climate Museum’s visual identity for program materials, social media, digital & print marketing.
Manage website updates.
Assist with digital communications.
Attend weekly communications team meetings to participate in integrated communications planning, including social media, website, etc.
Interact with Museum visitors as a docent at the exhibition once per week and participate in events in an ambassadorial role.

Social Media/PR:

Participate in communications team meetings to strategize on integrated communications plans, including press releases, social media messaging, blog posts, and story ideas to pitch to journalists and bloggers.
Write and disseminate press releases.
Interact with Museum visitors as a docent at the exhibition once per week and participate in events in an ambassadorial role.
Monitor the Museum’s social media engagement (Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook), analytics, and media coverage.
Promote Museum programs and events to media outlets.
Research media outlets and maintain the media list.
Monitor climate news.

Qualifications:

All interns:

Ability to volunteer (unpaid) for approximately 15-20 hours/week. Occasional weekend days or evenings will be required. *Students who have an interest in an expanded schedule should indicate their availability in their cover letters.
College (sophomores and above) and graduate students only.
Self-starter able to work in-person in NYC within the hours of 10am – 6pm EST.
Demonstrated passion for climate issues, social justice, and/or museums.
Exceptional research and writing skills and generally strong academic qualifications.
Enterprising and ambitious mindset balanced with outstanding collaboration skills and ability to work independently.
Proficiency in Google Drive preferred, as well as the ability to learn new software.
Ability to maintain a flexible and positive attitude in a fast-paced and unpredictable startup environment.
Inclined to kindness and humor under pressure.

Development intern additional skills:

A keen interest in development, fundraising, or community engagement preferred.
Experience with Salesforce CRM preferred but not required.

Digital Design additional skills:

Graphic design skills with Adobe platforms — InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator (skills with at least one are required).
Experience with SquareSpace (preferred, not required).
Experience using HTML and CSS (preferred, not required).
Attention to detail.

Social Media/PR intern additional skills:

Understanding of fundamental publicity and PR practices.
Experience managing social media accounts and producing high-quality content.
Attention to detail.

To apply:

Submit a resume and cover letter to our Submittable page here. In your letter, please note your preferred internship track, as well as your available start and end dates. If you are applying for the Digital Design track, please provide two work samples. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the internship will begin in May; start date is flexible depending on the applicant’s spring semester start date.

The Climate Museum highly values diversity and views the climate crisis as, among other things, a social justice crisis. People of color, people with disabilities, and people who identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community are particularly encouraged to apply. The Climate Museum is an equal opportunity employer.