McMullan Arts Leadership Intern, Arts of Asia

About the role#

The McMullan Arts Leadership Internship in the Arts of Asia department offers students the opportunity to gain experience, career awareness, and professional networks within a museum setting. This role is part of a museum-wide intern cohort and focuses on supporting the care and documentation of one of the largest Asian art collections in North America. The position provides mentorship from the department's collection manager and curatorial assistant to support professional development in arts administration and curatorial practice.

What you'll do#

• Research and update collection records for online publishing.
• Create, organize, and maintain curatorial files.
• Assist with departmental deaccession processes, including provenance and donor research.
• Support collection inventory management.
• Participate in regular meetings with department members and mentors.
• Attend intern cohort professional development programs and museum practice seminars.

What you'll need#

• Current undergraduate or graduate student, or a recent graduate (within one year of graduation).
• Demonstrated interest in arts administration, art history, or an art museum curatorial profession.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Google Suite.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple tasks with attention to detail.
• Preferred: Knowledge of Asian art history, Asian languages, or experience in database and project management.

Location & details#

• Location: On-site in Chicago, Illinois. Applicants must be based in or attending school in the Chicagoland area.
• Term: Fall 2026 through April 2027 (32 weeks).
• Schedule: Part-time, 14 hours per week (up to 448 total hours).
• Compensation: Paid position at $17.50/hour.