Museum Interpretation Intern

Job Description:

Position Title: Museum Interpretation Intern: Spring 2026

Position Type: Part Time

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Division: Curatorial & Art Management

Department: Curatorial/Interpretation 

Reports to: Interpretation Manager

Date Reviewed: July 1, 2026 

About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where the community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

Position Summary:

The Museum Interpretation Intern assists the Interpretation Specialists, who work in collaboration with the curatorial and learning & engagement teams, in formulating narrative and interpretive strategies for artworks and exhibitions.

This internship provides a unique opportunity to learn about and contribute to the research, planning, and implementation of interpretive tools for the Museum’s exhibitions and art installations. These include items such as brochures, activity guides, rack cards, labels, audio tours, and other digital tools that encourage guest engagement and learning (in the galleries, on the grounds, and in other museum-related spaces).

The goal is to create an impactful and rewarding experience for our museum guests. This internship offers hands-on training in the museum profession and an overview of museum exhibition operations from the early planning stages through implementation.

The ideal candidate is passionate about artistic expression, the arts in general, and has interest and skills in critical thinking, creative writing, and on-line and library research. Applicants must be ready to think creatively in unfamiliar situations and be prepared for hands-on experience. A diplomatic and flexible disposition, with the ability to collaborate amongst a diverse group of people, is highly desired.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Interpretation Intern will actively participate and perform duties in some of the following functional areas:

• Assist the Interpretation team in creating interpretive elements for exciting and engaging exhibitions.
  • Artist and art object research (online and in library), summarizing findings
  • Writing and editing copy for various projects, including blogposts
  • Engage in creative brainstorming
• Assist in conducting visitor evaluation and data collection
• Meeting attendance
  • Attend All Staff and Exhibition department meetings
  • Attend project meetings to collaborate with curators, interpretive staff, educators, registrars, preparators and others
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• 3rd or 4th year Interdisciplinary Humanities student (college level) preferred; can include (but is not limited to) majors/minors such as American Studies, African & African American Studies, Indigenous Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, Art History, Studio Art, Cultural Anthropology, Communication, English, History, Journalism/Strategic Media, and Sociology.
• Dependable and punctual
• Minimum of 10 to a maximum of 20 hours per week; a mutually agreeable schedule will be determined in conversation with the Head of Interpretation.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required, and familiarity with library and Web-based search tools is strongly preferred.
• A background check is required
• Must maintain confidentiality of all non-public Museum information

Timeline:

• Intern selected by: December 1st

Schedule:

• Start Date: January 26, 2026
• End Date: April 18, 2026
• Inclement Weather Start Dates: February 2nd or February 9th
• Inclement Weather End Date: May 2, 2026

Hours:

• Up to 20 hours per week
• Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor
• To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.

Compensation:

• Undergraduate Students: $13.00
• Graduate Students: $14.00
• To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s compensation, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Housing

Housing for internship positions is contingent upon the availability of funding and is not guaranteed. Internships that include housing explicitly state this within the position description. Any housing and/or relocation assistance provided is considered taxable income and will be reflected on the intern’s Form W-2. If housing is provided, priority will be given to students whose primary residence is more than 150 miles or three hours from either Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art or the Momentary.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands:  In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

• Work environment:  Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. The noise level in the museum work environment is usually low to moderate.

If the intern’s personal equipment is used, the museum accepts no liability for any damage caused to said equipment while being used for museum purposes, nor loss or corruption of electronic files on devices.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.