The UVA Department of Art is excited to be sponsoring five paid internship positions in Summer 2021! Internship applications are open to all studio and art history undergraduate majors. Each internship will run for 8 weeks with a total stipend of $3500. Internships are open to all rising 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years. We intend for the internships to be held in-person and will evaluate based on COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) Art Department Sponsored Internship, Richmond, VA
The Department of Art has partnered with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to offer two internships this summer. The student will be placed in one of the following departments at the museum: Advancement/Development, Early Childhood Education (ECE), Marketing, Communications and Audience Development, Registration and Art Reference Library, Statewide Partnerships, or Youth and Family Studio Programs. Applicants will choose their top three of their preferred departments and will be placed based on the museum’s need. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, located in Richmond, VA, has offered students the opportunity to intern with the staff since 1940. Interns work under the guidance of museum staff and participate in the ongoing work of the department. Internships acquaint students with the challenges and rewards of planning and implementing a variety of projects, programs, and services and introduce them to specific areas of the museum profession. For more information about the museum, visit their website: https://www.vmfa.museum/
Visual Resource Center (VRC), UVA Art Department, Charlottesville, VA
The Visual Resources Center internship is intended to support and develop a student’s interest in digital humanities, cataloging and metadata. Most art departments, art history programs, associated university studies and museums across the US are fully reliant on digital catalogs and are increasingly interested in digital reproductions and imaging. As a result, the field of digital humanities has grown and a student with visual and digital resources training is highly competitive in the job market. An Art or Art History undergraduate student working over the 8 week summer session, 20 hours per week, will receive a broad introduction to digital humanities applications, from 2D imaging and support to 3D imaging and reproduction. They will be trained in Visual Resources Association (VRA) methodology, including cataloging, managing the back end of an art database (Artstor/Jstor Forum) and metadata collection and organization. The student will learn VRA guidelines, not limited to databasing best practices, copyright compliance and image permission requests. The student will then be introduced to 3D imaging for pedagogy and museum usage. They will receive an introductory training in 3D modeling software and hands-on 3D printer training and troubleshooting. We will also visit several other laboratories and makerspaces around UVA to gain an understanding of how digital humanities is applied across specialties.
Scottsville Center for Arts and the Natural Environment Internship, Scottsville, VA
Scottsville Center for Arts and the Natural Environment (SCAN) is seeking a summer intern with a broad set of opportunities for a student interested in local government public service. With a small team, we all work together to launch a collaborative project between SCAN, the Town of Scottsville, the Scottsville Museum, and local commercial building owners. Some of the internship projects might include marketing of events, programs, and facilities using social media, print, or video design and publishing software, creating promotional materials, research and presentation support, community outreach and meeting facilitation for community art projects, grant writing and reports, and field support for grant-funded consultants, selecting artists, sites, and designs, and layout and install of window exhibitions. The internship tasks will be tailored to the individual student's skills and interests! For more information about SCAN, see their website: https://www.svilleartsandnature.org/.
Scottsville is a historic town of about 600 people, located half an hour south of Charlottesville on the James River. The local government is an elected town council and a small professional staff. We work closely with neighboring government agencies, nonprofits, residents, and small businesses to improve the quality of life in town. We work on many of the same types of projects as the City of Charlottesville, but with a smaller team that affords great opportunities for internships like SCAN.
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection Arts Administration Internship, Charlottesville, VA
The Kluge-Ruhe Arts Administration intern will work directly with the museum director to gain valuable knowledge and experience in leadership, fundraising, communication, and program administration. The intern may work on a variety of administrative tasks, such as reviewing and editing core documents and policies, communicating with members and donors, creating fundraising materials, researching grant opportunities and building budgets. As an outcome of this placement, the intern will have a portfolio of projects that may be beneficial when pursuing future career opportunities. Strong writing and communication skills and a deep interest in arts administration are required.
The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia is the only museum in the United States dedicated to the exhibition and study of Australian Aboriginal art. Our mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of Australia’s Indigenous people and their art and culture worldwide. Working with living artists, international scholars and arts professionals, we provide a wide range of learning experiences to the University community and the public through exhibition, research and educational programs. https://kluge-ruhe.org
To apply:
Students will complete the application form, along with a single cover letter and a resume/cv, no more than 2 pages in length. All applications can be sent to Liza Pittard at with the subject line ‘Summer 2021 Art Internship Application’. Liza will email you a confirmation once your application has been received. Applications are due April 1. All accepted applicants will be notified of their placement by April 26.