MUSEUM INTERN
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Center for Museum Studies
Smithsonian Institution

The Museum Intern Partnership Program, at the Center for Museum
Studies, promotes the professional growth and development of
students from culturally diverse backgrounds who are interested
in pursuing museum careers.  Selected students participate in
internships at both the Smithsonian and at smaller,
community-focused museums around the country.  Drawing upon the
vast resources of the Smithsonian, the Intern Partnership Program
offers the opportunity to gain practical experience and
marketable skills in the museum field.  In addition, participants
develop life-long professional networks and continue to draw upon
the people and resources which the Smithsonian offers.  The
program consists of two complimentary internship projects
followed by a two-day evaluation session.  Internship projects
will begin June 10, 1996 and will end in December 1996.  An
evaluation program at the Smithsonian, January 9-10, 1997,
completes the program

ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must be current undergraduate students pursuing
degrees in disciplines related to the internship project
(history, art, art history, archival work, Native American,
Latino or African American studies.)  African American, Native
American and Latino/a students are encouraged to apply.

STIPEND
During the ten-week program at the Smithsonian, interns will
receive a weekly stipend of $250.00.  The program will provide a
grant of $500 to interns during the fall segment and will also
cover travel and living expenses for the two-day evaluation
session in January 1997.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in a museum or
community-based cultural institution; appropriateness of the
project to the applicant's stated career goals; evidence that the
candidate will contribute to the work of the hosting museums and
evidence of need (lack of access to training or other internship
programs.)

The Deadline for Applications is Friday, March 1, 1996



VINCENT WILKINSON INTERNS
The Vincent Wilkinson Endowment Fund is a generous contribution
from Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Welters.  The fund, named in memory of
Mrs. Welters' father, provides support for African American
undergraduate students to participate in the Museum Intern
Partnership Program.  The Vincent Wilkinson Interns will be
recruited from traditionally black colleges, as well as colleges
and universities close to African American museums and historical
sites.  During the program, the interns will spend time at both
the Smithsonian and at an African American museum or cultural
organization.  A two-day evaluation,  January 9-10, 1997,
completes the program.  For the 1996 program, Vincent Wilkinson
Interns will be recruited from the Hampton, VA region and from
Detroit, MI.


National Museum of African Art
June - August 1996
Washington, DC
and
Hampton University Museum
September - December 1996
Hampton, VA

Assist the curatorial staff at the National Museum of African
Art, in collection-based research, exhibition development and
public service then work with staff at the Hampton University
Museum on the reinstallation of the permanent African collection
exhibition.  This partnership will give the selected intern
research skills, curatorial experience and an increased knowledge
of African art.


National Air and Space Museum
June - August 1996
Washington, DC
and
National Museum of the Tuskegee Airmen
September - December 1996
Detroit, MI

In this partnership, the selected intern will first work with
staff in the Department of Space History at the National Air and
Space Museum on a major exhibition project, "Dream to Fly," a
history of African Americans in aviation.   At the National
Museum of the Tuskegee Airmen, the intern will process and create
a database of the photographic and archival collections
documenting the history of the Tuskegee Airmen.  Skills gained in
this partnership include archival methods, oral history,
exhibition development and increased knowledge of the history of
African Americans in aviation.



AMERICAN MUSEUM STUDIES INTERNSHIP
The American Indian Museum Studies program at the Center for
Museum Studies provides funding for one intern to participate in
the Museum Intern Partnership Program.  American Indian Museum
Studies internship projects will be developed as partnerships
between a Smithsonian museum or office and a specific tribe.
Interns will be nominated by the selected tribe to work on a
project which is mutually beneficial to both the Smithsonian and
the tribe.

National Museum of Natural History
June - August 1996
Washington, DC
and
Selected Native Group
September - December 1996

At the National Museum of Natural History, the selected intern
will learn about the repatriation process and procedures.  The
intern will be expected to produce an actual case report or other
repatriation related document into draft form. The intern will
then return to their reservation and help prepare for the return
of selected collections. This project offers exposure to
repatriation issues and policy and also provides hands on
experience  in  museum research and collections management.


SMITHSONIAN/LATINO MUSEUM PARTNERSHIP
This partnership supports the professional development goals of
Latina/o students interested in museum work.  Projects with this
partnership expose selected interns to resources available at the
Smithsonian and the U.S. museum community, with an emphasis on
Latino collections and programming.  Interns will spend ten weeks
at the Smithsonian and then intern at a Latino museum or cultural
organization near their school.  A two day evaluation,  January
9-10, 1997, completes the program.

Archives of American Art
June-August 1996
Washington, DC
and
Art Museum of the Americas
September - December 1996
Washington, DC

At the Archives of American Art, the selected intern will be
trained in basic archival processing techniques.  Following this
training, the intern will work at the Organization of American
States-Art Museum of the Americas with responsibility for
processing artists files and exhibition files.  This project
offers an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge and familiarity
with 20th century Latin American artists.


HOW TO APPLY
Obtain applications from the Center for Museum Studies.

Your completed packet will include
  the application form,
  a personal statement,
  academic transcripts and
  two letters of recommendation.


Museum Intern Partnership Program
Center for Museum Studies
MRC 427
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D.C.  20560
Fax:  202-357-3346

The deadline for applications is Friday, March 1, 1996
All applications and materials must be postmarked by March 1.
Applicants will be notified of selections by March 15, 1996.

Bruce C. Craig              Internet:  [log in to unmask]
Center for Museum Studies   Smithsonian Institution
A&I 2235-MRC427             Washington, DC  20560
(202) 357-3148              FAX:(202) 357-3346