Intern - Decorative Arts

This a Full Remote job, the offer is available from: New Jersey (USA) Internship Description | Intern, Decorative Arts – Summer 2026 Division | Collections & Curatorial Strategies Department | Curatorial Reporting Relationship | Associate Curator, Decorative Arts Application Deadline: Must apply by March 26, 2026 This internship is supported by the Career Accelerator Internship Grant Program About The Newark Museum of Art: We acknowledge the traditional homelands of the Lenape, also known as the Delaware, upon which The Newark Museum of Art resides. We welcome everyone with inclusive experiences that spark curiosity and foster community. Founded in 1909 and located in New Jersey, The Newark Museum of Art (NMOA) is the state's largest museum and ranks twelfth nationally in terms of collection size. Global and diasporic, the collection includes more than 130,000 artworks, as well as significant holdings of science and natural history. From the ancient world to the art of today, NMOA boasts exceptional quality and depth in the Arts of Global Africa; Arts of Global Asia, featuring a renowned Tibetan collection and Buddhist altar; Arts of the Americas, with particular strength in Native American art; Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean, and Decorative Arts. Visitor-and community-centered, NMOA responds to the evolving needs and interests of the diverse publics it serves by offering exhibitions, programming, a research library, paid internships, and local and global partnerships. A four-acre campus includes the National Historic Landmark Ballantine House (1885); the Ward Carriage House (1868); the Old Stone School House (1784); and the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden. NMOA has launched an era of transformation to create an engaged citizenry by reimagining the role of the art museum for the 21st century. Internship Summary: The Intern, Decorative Arts will research the history, culture, and key figures of the Ironbound neighborhood in Newark, with a focus on Latinx, Portuguese, and Brazilian communities. This research will support the development of a future installation at The Ballantine House, highlighting the experiences of Ironbound communities past and present. The intern will work closely with the Associate Curator, Decorative Arts to select one or two communities for focused research and will gain hands-on experience conducting scholarly and public-facing research. As part of a summer internship cohort, the intern also engages with museum professionals and peers through structured programming, including lunchtime sessions, staff meetings, and other museum programs. Learning Objectives: By the end of this internship, the intern will:

• Develop research skills in public history, community studies, and cultural analysis.
• Gain experience using a variety of resources, including print publications, archival materials, maps, and other online resources.
• Learn how research informs interpretive material, including thematic content, object and artwork selection, and interactive components.
• Understand the process of translating scholarly research into public-facing museum experiences.
• Build professional skills through collaboration with curatorial staff and participation in cohort-based programming.
• Contribute to the Museum’s commitment to a culture of inclusive excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on the history, culture, and key figures of selected Ironbound communities in Newark, emphasizing Latinx, Portuguese, and Brazilian populations.
• Compile, organize, and summarize findings to inform the development of a future museum installation.
• Utilize a range of resources including secondary sources, archival materials, maps, online sources, and other relevant materials.
• Participate in departmental meetings and share progress and key insights.
• Present a summary of internship experience and project outcomes to museum leadership, including the Director/CEO, at the end of the internship.
• Support the Curatorial Department with additional curatorial-related tasks as needed.

Work Schedule & Duration: This internship is a part-time, hybrid onsite/remote position, required to work onsite two (2) days per week / may work remotely up to one (1) day per week. This position runs for ten (10) consecutive weeks, from June to August 2026. Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• Undergraduate or graduate student; recent graduates (within one year of graduation) required.
• Residency in the State of New Jersey required.
• Major or focus in public and/or social history, art history, museum studies, or other related fields preferred.
• Collections database interest or experience a plus.
• Research skills and experience preferred.
• Creative thinking and growth attitude.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Good presentation facilitation and written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powe

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