2027 Art Management Summer Intern

About the role

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization.

About the role

• Intern Position Title: Art Management Intern - Summer
• Division: Art Management
• Department: Art Management
• Intern Supervisor: Associate Registrar of Exhibitions
• Date Reviewed: 6/19/26

About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a 'living room' where the community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

Position Summary

The Crystal Bridges & the Momentary Art Management Internship will provide a student with the opportunity to learn about and contribute to museum registration activities, including collections care and exhibition logistics.

They will gain experience using the museum's collections management system (The Museum System) and have an opportunity to observe the physical movement of artworks for storage, loan, photography, conservation, and display. The intern will assist with processing artwork information in our digital and paper records, including historical artwork data, image reproduction rights, and conservation documentation.

Additionally, the intern will acquire practical experience in exhibition procedures by participating in cross-departmental exhibition planning meetings and observing art installation and deinstallation. By the end of the internship, they will have developed a strong understanding of the operations of the registrar's office and gained insight into a career in museum registration, while providing essential support to our team.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed and accurate data entry in collections management database (TMS)
• Organize and file relevant documentation in both paper and digital object files
• Assist with routine condition checks of artworks on display in the museum's galleries
• Assist with unpacking and intake process for new acquisitions and loans to the collection
• Attend cross-departmental planning meetings for exhibitions
• Shadow art installations and deinstallations when possible
• Various departmental projects as needed

Qualifications

• College student, with completed coursework in studio art, art history, history, museum studies, or library science. Other majors will be considered.
• Familiarity with complex database systems a plus.
• Experience with data entry and proofreading.

Timeline

• Anticipated Start Date: May 31st
• Anticipated End Date: July 23rd

Schedule

• Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor

Additional information

To qualify for bachelor's or master's hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the past three years. Students are required to submit a current schedule or an official transcript.

Compensation

• High School Interns: $12.00
• Undergraduate Students: $13.00
• Graduate Students: $14.00

To qualify for bachelor's or master's compensation, applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from one within the past three years. A current class schedule or official transcript must be submitted for verification.

Required Document

Applicants who wish to be considered for this internship position must adhere to the stated application requirements. A complete application must include both a cover letter and a resume.

Cover Letter Questions

• Question 1: What interests you most about museum registration and collections care?
• Question 2: How has your coursework or academic experience (e.g., art history, studio art, museum studies, history, library science) prepared you for this internship?
• Question 3: How does this internship support your career goals within the museum field?

Housing

Housing for internship positions is contingent upon the availability of funding and is not guaranteed. Internships that include housing will explicitly state this in both the position title and the position description. Any housing and/or relocation assistance provided is considered taxable income and will be reported on the intern's Form W-2. When housing is available, only students whose primary residence is more than 150 miles or three hours from either Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art or the Momentary will be considered.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Physical demands: In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.
• Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. The noise level in the museum work environment is usually low to moderate.

Additional information

If the intern's personal equipment is used, the museum accepts no liability for any damage caused to said equipment while being used for museum purposes, nor loss or corruption of electronic files on devices.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.