Bruce Museum Career Internships
Internship position, Schedule varies

Requirements

Students applying to the Bruce Museum to earn college credits should submit the following information, at least one month prior to the beginning of the term for which course credit will be earned:

1. Career Internship application form, pdf.
   
2. Letter indicating how this internship at the Bruce Museum fits in with the student's preparation, experience and goals and the college department granting the credit.
3. Current resume
   
4. A letter from a faculty member who will act as the student's sponsor. This should be sent directly by the sponsor.

Guidelines for Student Interns

The museum suggests 120 hours of time per semester. However, this will vary according to the college requirements of each intern and the number of credit hours the college will allow the intern to earn.

Each student will be assigned to a Museum staff member whose expertise corresponds to the special interest indicated in the student's letter and application. Activities designed for college credit will be an accurate reflection of the normal daily work of the museum professional in the student's area of special interest.

It is suggested that the intern keep a journal of their experiences at the Museum. While this is no longer a requirement of the Museum, this is a way for the college to be informed of the nature of the student's activities, and an opportunity for the student to reflect upon the term's experiences.

At the end of the internship period, the staff supervisor(s) will complete a Museum Intern Evaluation form. A copy of this evaluation will remain on file at the Museum and a copy will be forwarded to you and/or your faculty sponsor. If the student's college has similar forms or requests a report from he museum staff, the student must supply the appropriate forms or information well before the end of the internship period.

An Exit Interview form to evaluate the internship experience is to be completed by the intern and returned to the Director of Education and this is kept on file at the Museum.

No student will be paid for any work performed for college credit, and the Museum is not in the position to offer employment to interns upon completion of the academic term. Housing will not be available.

The areas of internship programs available at the Bruce Museum are (click to open):

1. Museum Administration/Development - available in the following departments: Fundraising; Special Events; Membership

2. Museum Public Relations and Marketing

3. Curatorial - available in the following areas:
   Fine Arts
   Natural Sciences

4. Collections Management - Registrar

5. Museum Education
   

Museum Education Intern
Internship position, Available year-round

The Bruce Museum Education Internship program is designed for university or college students seeking to gain hands-on experience in a museum setting. A minimum of 120 hours is required and compensation is $9.00 per hour to a maximum of 150 hours per semester. The exact details of the schedule will be worked out with the individual as the internship begins.

This internship will focus on museum education in an art and science museum. The intern will be working primarily with the Manager of School Services and the Manager of Outreach Education on a variety of projects related to the Museum’s education programs. The intern will experience all aspects of museum education including: teaching from the object, working with a variety of age groups, developing and conducting classes at the Museum.

Specific duties include:

• Preparing materials for classes.
• Interacting with visitors and groups through educational and instructional activities and tours.
• Developing curriculum and educational programs for various exhibitions.

Experience in the following areas is preferred:

• Museum education experience.
• Experience supervising children.
• Teaching experience.
• Good written communication skills.
• Public speaking skills.
• Background in educational theory and practice.
• Computer skills, word-processing.
• Basic office skills.

The Bruce Museum is a small institution and all staff members, as well as interns, are often called on to do any number of things such as assisting with public programs, basic office work, mailings, etc.

The internship will provide an introduction to standard museum practice and provide a hands-on experience in museum work. At the end of the internship period, a Museum Intern Evaluation form will be completed by the staff supervisor(s). A copy of this evaluation will remain on file in the museum and copy will be forwarded to the intern and/or the faculty advisor. If the intern is seeking college credit and the college has similar forms or requests a report from the museum staff, the appropriate forms or information must be supplied well before the end of the internship period. Finally, an exit interview will be scheduled with the Director of Education to evaluate the intern’s experience and this is kept on file at the museum.

Application Deadline is one month prior to the beginning of the term of internship requested.

Lillian Butler Davey Resident Internship in the Museum Profession
Internship position, September – June

The Bruce Museum promotes the understanding and appreciation of Art and Science to enrich the lives of all people. The Museum is located in Greenwich, Connecticut just off I-95 and steps away from Metro-North Railroad’s Greenwich station. The Museum features the long-term environmental history exhibition Changes In Our Land, as well as four galleries showcasing fine and decorative arts, costumes, science and ethnology exhibits. The museum holds a permanent collection of natural history, Native American, and archaeological objects, and a growing collection of art of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Description
The internship provides an opportunity to learn about the operation of museums and to gain professional experience. These internships are offered annually through the Education Department.

Internship terms are approximately nine months (40 weeks), mid-September to mid-June, with a stipend of $18,900 with benefits. This is a full-time temporary position, 35 hours per week, for a maximum of nine months. Includes paid: one-week vacation, five standard holidays and four floating holidays, four sick days, and one personal day.

Responsibilities
Intern will work with curators and program directors on a variety of projects related to the Museum's exhibitions and programs. Interns will be treated as staff members and will assist staff members with routine work as well as special projects. The intern’s educational background, interests, work experience, and museum department needs with the final goal of implementing and completing a specific project will determine specific duties. Terms are full-time, 35 hours per week, with two to three segments of three to four months. Each segment of the internship will focus on one aspect of the museum: curatorial (either arts or sciences), education, collections management, exhibition design, development, public relations, membership and volunteers, and/or administration.

Eligibility
The internship is open to applicants who have completed at least an undergraduate degree by the beginning of the internship. Candidates with training in art history, science, education, fine arts, as well as other fields including business, communications, law, and other areas of the humanities that may be useful to the museum, are eligible. Familiarity with office procedures, computer and typing skills are necessary.

For information contact the Director of Education, (203) 869-6786, ext. 325

Application Procedures
The following items are to be included in the application (incomplete applications cannot be considered).

1. A personal statement indicating how this internship fits in with your preparation, experience, and goals. Essay should not exceed 500 words, or two double-space typed pages.
2. A resumé or curriculum vitae with phone and email contacts listed.
3. Two letters of recommendation, one should be from Department Chair or Academic Advisor. Letters should be sent directly by recommenders.
4. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges, universities, and professional schools previously attended.
Selection
The Internship Committee of the Education Committee will review applications. A small group of applicants will be invited for interviews. All applicants will be notified of the Committee's decision by Memorial Day weekend.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications for the 2008-2009 term will be accepted beginning January 2008. Deadline for the 2008-2009 terms is April 11, 2008.

Submit all material to:
Resident Internship Program
Bruce Museum
1 Museum Drive
Greenwich, CT 06830-7100