Outdoor Sculpture Summer Internships

Application opens: March 1st, 2024
Deadline to apply: March 31st, 2024
Paid, part-time (3 days/week)

Background & Purpose

Each year the Hirshhorn Museum Conservation Department implements a maintenance program for the outdoor sculpture collection.  For the 2024 season, the Museum is offering three part-time (3 days/week) outdoor sculpture conservation internship positions, spanning eight consecutive weeks. The internships begin in late June/early July, depending upon the availability of the successful candidates.

The participants will carry out a variety of conservation treatments on the outdoor sculpture collection, document sculpture treatments through treatment reports and digital documentation, learn the properties and application of a range of conservation materials, and utilize specialized tools and analytical equipment in the performance of their daily activities. They will also receive opportunities to assist with other conservation-related projects related to the care of a contemporary art collection, such as gallery maintenance, rehousing projects, and condition assessment and treatment projects. As part of the Collection Management department, conservation interns will also work alongside museum colleagues in registration, archives, exhibits and curatorial departments and gain general knowledge of conservation and museum practices.

The Hirshhorn is currently embarking on an ambitious revitalization of the Sculpture Garden, designed by renowned artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. With the garden closed for renovation, this internship will focus on the outdoor sculptures currently installed on the museum’s plaza and at its off-site facility. These sculptures consist of a variety of materials including bronze, stone, aluminum, plastic, and (painted) steel. The outdoor sculpture annual maintenance conservation treatments may include washing, the application of protective surface coatings, repainting, and structural repairs. This work is performed mostly outdoors, is strenuous, and often requires working in very hot and humid conditions.

Learning objectives

  • Learn to work with varying surfaces and mediums, the properties of the artwork, how one material differs from another.
  • Grow an ability to analyze an artwork and its condition, therefore being able to assess what kind of surface treatment it calls for.
  • Expand knowledge on different properties and application methods of various conservation materials and tools.
  • Gain experience in proper museum documentation; treatment reports, condition reports, as well as digital documentation.

Qualifications

  • Undergraduate, recent grad, or currently enrolled in (or recently graduated from) a graduate program for conservation.
  • Interested in working with a modern/contemporary sculpture collection.

Stipend

The internship offers a $4000 stipend for undergraduates or recent college graduates, and a $4500 stipend for students currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a graduate training program for conservation. The stipend covers an 8-week, part-time (3 days per week) position. Housing, benefits, and transportation are not provided.

How to apply

To begin the application process, you will create an account through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointments external application portal (SOLAA) at https://solaa.si.edu.

After signing in, select ‘start your application’, then select ‘internship’ under Program Category, and select ‘HMSG’ under Office/Museum/Research Center. The HMSG Outdoor Sculpture Conservation Internship will show up at the bottom of the page. Application materials must include: (1) A brief cover letter stating the internship you are applying to and your desired start date (dates are flexible); (2) A current resume; (3) At least one letter of recommendation from an individual who can speak to your skills or knowledge related to this internship opportunity; and (4) A one to two page essay addressing the following points: 1) Your past and present conservation and art-related experiences, including any experience with outdoor sculpture and/or contemporary materials; 2) What you hope to accomplish through this internship, and how it would relate to your career goals 3) What about the Hirshhorn in particular interests you and leads you to apply for this internship.

Only completed applications submitted through SOLAA will be considered. Applications must be completed via https://solaa.si.edu no later than Sunday, March 31, 2024. Any questions about the internship should be directed to Anouk Verbeek, at VerbeekA@si.edu. Direct any questions about the application process to Stephanie Lussier, LussierS@si.edu. For more information about the Museum’s collection, please visit the collection.