Internships

The Haffenreffer Museum offers a limited number of internships varying in length from one or two semesters, to a month long "winterim" or summer vacation period. Some are for academic credit; others carry a modest stipend. Normally, interns focus on a particular area of museum activity-- collections management, education, exhibition, public relations, conservation; or a research project. In a 500-word statement applicants should propose a focus for their internship, which the Museum will try to accommodate in assigning the intern to particular members of the staff. Most internships result in a final product of some kind, to be agreed upon with the supervisor. The Museum expects an intern to work at least one day a week during the internship and keep a log documenting their museum involvement.

Academic Internships for college course credit are available to students currently enrolled at Brown University or other colleges or universities. The student interested in a particular topic related to collections research, exhibitions, education programs, or other museum areas should develop the project in joint discussions with a faculty sponsor and the museum internship supervisor. The faculty sponsor agrees to direct the student's program so that it will fulfill the requirements of his/her particular institution. The museum on-site supervisor agrees to assist in the project design, monitor the internship, and to evaluate the work completed. Brown University students usually enroll in an appropriate reading and research course for undergraduate (AN 193/194) or graduate (AN 293/294) students. An administrative fee of $100 is charged for all non-Brown University students. Non-stipendiary.

Internships not for course credit are available to Brown University students who express a strong interest in entering the museum field and wish to gain practical experience in collections management, education programs, exhibitions, and other aspects of museum operations before seeking further training in anthropology, museum studies, or in a related discipline. Interns who complete 100 hours of supervised work and fulfill internship requirements will receive an Internship Certificate. Non-stipendiary.

The Rudolf F. Haffenreffer 3rd Internship. Awarded on a competitive basis, this semester-long internship is for American Indian students at Brown who wish broad experience in collections management, education programs, exhibitions, and other aspects of museum operations. Applicants must be American Indian and must be in residence for a full semester. Interested students should contact the Museum for further details. Stipend.

For more information on internships, or to initiate an application, contact Kevin P. Smith, Deputy Director and Chief Curator.