University Museums has a very close relationship with numerous Iowa State University students through their internship program. Students from all majors are invited to share their skills and abilities as a University Museums intern each semester. University Museums internships are unpaid and typically require a ten hour a week commitment although hours may vary between each student. While interning at University Museums, students will have the opportunity to see how museums are run on a daily basis, while also completing museum related projects to enhance their overall learning experience. Even though interns will gain knowledge of all areas of museums, each student will choose from one of the following areas to focus on during the course of their internship: education, collections management, public relations and marketing. Many departments on campus offer credit for internships and many majors even require an internship to be completed before graduation. For more information about specific internship requirements related to your major, please contact your department advisor. If you are interested in applying for the internship program or wish to learn more, please contact the University Museums office at 515-294-3342 or fill out and submit an internship application.
Learning outcomes of University Museums internship opportunities for Iowa State University students
Margaret Davidson Collections Management Internship
-Understand the importance of collection management in the museum field.
-Gain knowledge of proper object documentation, photographing, and research.
-Gain insight into the care and maintenance of a collection.
Margaret Davidson Curatorial Internship
-Understand the importance of object and collection research in the museum field.
-Gain knowledge of key curatorial components - education, research, documentation.
-Gain insight into exhibition installation & permanent collection installation of Art on Campus.
Margaret Davidson Public Relations Internship
-Understand the importance of public relations in the museum field.
-Gain knowledge of marketing techniques - press releases, fliers, social media applications.
-Gain insight into photographic documentation of exhibitions and events.
Richard Taylor Education Internship
-Understand the importance of education in the museum field.
-Gain knowledge of audience development through educational techniques.
-Gain insight into exhibition installations that utilize educational principles.
Wayne and Eleanor Ostendorf Farm House Museum Undergraduate Assistant
-Understand all aspects of daily Farm House Museum operations.
-Gain knowledge in the care and development of collections and collection-based research.
-Gain insight into exhibitions and work as a team member to develop integrated curatorial and educational programming and other learning opportunities.
