Art of Europe Curatorial and Administrative Undergraduate Intern – Spring 2027 at Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Art of Europe Curatorial and Administrative Undergraduate Intern – Spring 2027 Art of Europe The Art of Europe department of the Museum of Fine Arts houses one of the world’s preeminent collections of European art from the Middle Ages to the mid-twentieth century, including paintings, sculptures, furniture and decorative arts. Areas of particular distinction include Italian Renaissance relief sculpture, Dutch paintings in the age of Rembrandt, Impressionist paintings, and English silver. The department is seeking an undergraduate intern for the spring semester who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of this significant collection and the tasks involved in curatorial research and administration. The intern will work closely with the Department Coordinator for the Art of Europe, in consultation with the Department Chair. This internship provides hands-on experience in museum work. A focus of the internship will be curatorial research and the creation of departmental hard-copy files, as well as assisting with various projects throughout the department. Interns will learn how to use our collections database system, The Museum System (TMS). Additionally, the undergraduate research intern will assist in upcoming exhibitions, covering topics such as Spanish art, and Flemish and Dutch art from the 17th and 18th centuries. Interns will receive training and can expect to refine their research skills. Furthermore, they will participate in behind-the-scenes visits and various learning opportunities. Successful candidates should be mature, detail-oriented, and skilled in technology and administrative tasks, with a demonstrated interest in museum work. Please include any foreign language experience. Ideal candidates must be able to commit to work onsite 20 hours weekly, mostly between 8am-4pm Monday-Friday between January 22 – May 7, 2027. Additionally, interns must attend orientation on Fri, Jan 22, (10am-3:30pm), and the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course from 12:30-2:30pm on the following Fridays: Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26, Apr 2, Apr 9, Apr 16, Apr 23, Apr 30, and May 7. The intern will be paid at a rate of $16.80 per hour and will receive a $90 per month transportation subsidy. As we amplify our efforts toward becoming a truly inclusive institution and fostering the next generation of museum staff, the MFA actively encourages students from all backgrounds to apply to the program. Essential Functions: Augmenting painting object files with new research conducted in art history libraries, including the compilation of bibliographies and exhibition histories on works in the collection. Reconciling this information with that in the MFA collections database Ensure complete and accurate documentation in hard copy and electronic formats. Library research related to upcoming exhibitions and preparation of research summaries, tracking down sources online or in libraries. Updating the working checklist for exhibitions in the form of PowerPoints, spreadsheets, and lists Editing and proofreading connected to the production of exhibition catalogues. Opportunities to learn about and assist with daily tasks, both research and clerical, such as drafting labels and wall texts and responding to public inquiries *Prepare and offer a 3–5-minute final synoptic presentation of the internship as part of the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course Qualifications: Enrolled in an undergraduate program in history, art history, or museum studies, or a related area of study concurrent with the internship period (class of 2027 or 2028 preferred) Basic knowledge of art history or museum studies Demonstrated interest in learning about curatorial activities. Previous office experience or related work Familiarity with computer software, especially databases, is desirable. Demonstrated attention to detail and reliability; ability to work independently. Ability to work onsite 20 hours per week, within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters, between January 22-May 7, 2027. Additionally, interns must attend orientation on Fri, January 22, (10am-3:30pm), and the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course from 12:30-2:30pm on the following Fridays: Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26, Apr 2, Apr 9, Apr 16, Apr 23, Apr 30, and May 7. Ability to attend orientation on Fri, Jan 22, 2027, 10am to 3:30pm. How to Apply DO NOT INCLUDE any document not specifically requested within the description (e.g., recommendations, transcripts, writing samples, etc.) DO NOT include your photo in any of your documents. Combine your cover letter and resume into a single document, (Word or PDF). The cover letter must include all of the following: the title of the internship for which you are applying (one internship per application) how the named internship fits into your academic and/or career goals why your specific skills/experience/interests qualify you for the internship. any periods when you are not available for an interview. your contact information including e-mail and daytime phone SAVE your document file as (LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_POSITIONTITLE_Spring2027) Upload the single document as your resume via the employment portal Internships | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston ASAP before December 4, 2026. (Do not upload separate cover letter.) Candidates may apply for no more than two internships per season and must submit a separate cover letter/resume document for each position. **Direct any/all questions to: intern@mfa.org before submitting your application. **Applications not conforming to these guidelines may be deemed ineligible and not considered.