Description

Position: McDermott Intern for School Programs

Reports to: Manager of School Programs

Level: Intern

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid holiday, personal and sick time; $500 for professional development

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch; occasional weekend and evening programs required and adjusted for accordingly; ability to work remotely 2 days per week in alignment with program needs following introductory period

Internship Period: September 3, 2024 - May 9, 2025

Salary: $15/hour, 35 hours per week

Scope of Internship:

The intern will assist in the research, planning, and implementation of art programs and materials for K-12th grade students, teachers, and volunteer docents. The intern will receive practical exposure to art museum education, including teaching preK-12th grade students in school partnership and field trip settings, collaborating with classroom teachers, and training volunteer docents onsite and in the galleries at the Museum. The intern may create lesson plans; develop unfacilitated gallery activities and resources; lead school tours; plan and facilitate a school partnership session; and develop and lead a docent training. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with colleagues to brainstorm, research, and develop programming for school audiences connected to the permanent collection and upcoming exhibitions
• Lead school tours for K-12th grade students
• Contribute to docent training
• Co-teach school partnership program
• Prepare program materials and resources
• Develop and maintain anytime activities and resources for schools
• Attend and participate in regular meetings with their supervisor and departmental meetings with the Family, Youth and Schools team and Education
• Contribute to and collaborate with the Family, Youth and Schools team to achieve departmental and institutional goals 

Internship Goals:

• Learn specific teaching strategies for working with elementary, middle school and high school students; classroom teachers; and adult volunteers in a museum setting
• Grow skills in gallery teaching and public speaking with various audiences
• Gain experience interacting with a wide range of visitors in a museum setting
• Learn approaches for writing lesson plans and other interpretive resources
• Learn how to create, organize, facilitate, and lead educational programming in a museum setting 
• Learn methods for working collaboratively with coworkers on projects in a museum setting
• Enhance research skills in art and art history and build an increased knowledge of works of art in the Dallas Museum of Art’s collection
• Ascertain professional goals and interests through the support of mentorship
• Develop professional communication and interpersonal skills through collaboration with Museum colleagues
• Understand the roles and functions of different staff within the Museum as well as the relationship between the departments and how they all function together to comprise the organization

Requirements

Education, Experience, and Certification:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in art history, art education, education, studio art or the humanities prior to the start of the internship; graduate work encouraged
• Teaching experience encouraged
• Experience or interest in working with students and young people

Key Qualifications:

• Strong time management and organizational skills to successfully balance program and office duties
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
• Physical requirements include kneeling, bending, standing, and lifting up to 25 lbs 
• Ability to speak during program duration without accommodation
• Valid driver’s license (or ability to secure one) and ability to drive to program sites occasionally as needed

Application Directions:

McDermott Internship Program applications must include all of the below items in order to be complete. Please ensure you have reviewed the list below closely and all files are included with your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered and late materials will not be accepted. If you have any difficulty with the application process or the Paylocity system, please first reach out to internships@dma.org for assistance.

Upload and attach your resume, personal statement cover letter, and two letters of recommendation in your application form, as specified below. If your two references would prefer to submit their letters directly, please direct them to submit the letter of recommendation through the McDermott Internship Recommendation Form. All items must be received no later than March 18, 2024.

Please save the files with your last name and document type in the title: e.g. Smith_Cover Letter.

Resume or CV

Submit in application under Select Resume to Upload

Personal Statement Cover Letter

A detailed one to two page cover letter explaining your interest in an art museum career. Include information regarding your personal learning expectations for the internship; any prior museum or art related experience; and any prior teaching experience, especially as it relates to the specific position.

Submit in application under Upload Cover Letter

Two Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic reference. Please list these individuals in the reference list of the application. Only two references are required in the application.

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files or

Direct your references to upload through this link: McDermott Internship Recommendation

Our Core Values

• Act with Integrity: We are honest and ethical.
• Build Inclusivity: We create spaces where everyone can feel like they belong.
• Communicate Respectfully: We listen intentionally and advocate for diverse perspectives.
• Embrace and Drive Change: We are innovative, creative, and solutions driven.
• Foster Connections: We collaborate around shared goals.
• Maintain Balance: We encourage ourselves and each other to reflect and recharge.
• Remain Curious: We pursue personal and professional learning.

Mission

The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive. The DMA will:

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate.
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art.
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.

Equity

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all.

Diversity

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity.

Inclusion

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture.

EOE

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.