Curatorial Intern (Textiles) at the American Swedish Historical Museum
Job Title: Intern
Job Status: Part-time
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Project Description
The American Swedish Historical Museum is seeking a curatorial intern interested in historic textiles that will assist the curator with reinterpreting the museum’s textile gallery. The museum houses a large collection of textiles relating to Swedes and Swedish-Americans from the nineteenth century to today. The curatorial intern will help to assess the museum’s collection of textiles, reinstall the museum’s current textile exhibition, and select and interpret pieces from the collection for the textile gallery based upon the Swedish experience in America.
Responsibilities
▪ Inventory, photograph, and catalog recent donations to the textile collection
▪ Help to reinterpret museum’s textile gallery and research selected objects
▪ Organize clothing and accessory storage
▪ Assess established system and make suggestions for improvement
▪ Implement improvement suggestions
▪ Other duties as assigned that fall within scope of position
Education and Experience
▪ Applicants should be current students or recent graduates from a material culture studies, museum studies, textile, fashion, or anthropology program.
▪ An interest in history and experience in fashion and apparel studies, material culture, textiles or related field
▪ Must be able to work at least two to three days a week for the term of the internship
▪ Ability to understand and appreciate the historical context of the museum’s textile collection
▪ Excellent organizational skills
▪ Systematic and highly detailed oriented
▪ Experience with PastPerfect museum software is preferred but not required
Work Schedule and Compensation
10 – 12 hours per week; Flexible hours between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday -Friday
$2500 stipend; Paid biweekly for the duration of the internship
About the Museum
Founded in 1926, the American Swedish Historical Museum in South Philadelphia is the oldest Swedish museum in the United States. 1926 marked the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and Americans from all backgrounds were celebrating their heritage and their contributions to the United States of America.
The American Swedish Historical Museum welcomes all people to explore cultural identity through the story of Swedes and Scandinavians in America. The ASHM is a community dedicated to preserving and interpreting material culture and is alive with celebrations, exhibitions, and learning experiences.
The American Swedish Historical Museum is an equal opportunity employer. ASHM affirms its commitment and pledges its full support to equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.
To Apply:
Please send a letter of interest, along with your resume or curriculum vitae, to:
Christopher Malone at cmalone@americanswedish.org with the subject line CURATORIAL INTERNSHIP.
Deadline for submission is April 1, 2022.