CONSERVATION 3rd or 4th YEAR GRADUATE STUDENT INTERNSHIP – AVENIR CONSERVATION CENTER/DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE
Listing Start Date: March 11, 2025Expires: April 30, 2025n
The Avenir Conservation Center (ACC) is pleased to announce an internship in cultural heritage conservation for a third or fourth-year graduate student enrolled in a master’s degree program in conservation.
Start date flexible in the 2025-2026 academic year
Length of internship is flexible- minimum three months
40 hours per week, $18.81 per hour (2025)
For internships that are six months or longer, funds will be available toward travel to one conference, and conditionally available for research and professional development.
The Conservation Center is responsible for the preservation and care of the collections with a primary focus on anthropology collections. ACC is also carrying out long-term, in-depth conservation-curatorial projects that often include collaboration with Indigenous community members for the shared stewardship of their cultural heritage.
We are seeking intern-colleagues who embody curiosity, enthusiasm, and a keen interest in collaborative work with conservators, curators, scholars, and community members. The intern will support all aspects of conservation related to the care and study of anthropology collections and may work with other science division collections, depending on interest. The intern will be a full member of the conservation team and the wider DMNS community.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as received and must be submitted online. Please provide a letter of interest, a current resume, names and contact information for three references, and one example of a conservation treatment.
https://www.dmns.org/about/internships/ and follow the STIPEND INTERNSHIP APPLICATION link to create an account.
Moe Shuley, Manager Volunteer Administration [email protected]
Casey Mallinckrodt, Head Conservator, Avenir Conservation Center [email protected]
CURRENT CONSERVATION PROJECTS
- Deinstallation of the Native American Indigenous Cultures Hall in consultation with related communities
- Study, conservation, and exhibition of select items from the museum’s Southern Plains Beadwork collections in collaboration with related communities in Denver and in Oklahoma
- Evaluation and study of the museum’s collections of textiles of the Americas
- Conservation and analysis of archaeological wall paintings and excavated materials at a Moche site in Peru
ONGOING WORK
- Preventive conservation activities, such as integrated pest management, environmental monitoring, and testing collections materials for hazardous residues
- Object examination and documentation for incoming and outgoing loans, and exhibits
The conservation lab staff includes three object conservators, a textile conservator, and a conservation assistant. The team works in close collaboration with anthropology and archaeology curators, collections staff and other science division colleagues, and museum staff.
The Avenir Conservation Center is located within the museum and has office spaces, work benches, and is equipped with a portable XRF, FTIR/Micro-FTIR, a light microscope and has capacity for digital imaging. There is a small separate lab for handling chemicals.
The anthropology collections are varied with greater depth in Indigenous cultural materials from North America and textiles of the Americas. There are over four million objects, samples, and materials in the DMNS collections including extensive representation in taxidermy, paleontology, minerals, entomology and others.
INTERN ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Specific tasks will be determined based on the intern’s interests and the Center’s needs.
- Examine items for projects and loans, and prepare written and photographic documentation
- Undertake research necessary to support conservation treatments, to propose treatments and execute treatments under supervision
- Assist with preventive conservation including integrated pest management
- Assist in the oversight of volunteers
- Participate in public presentations and tours
- Performing other duties as appropriate
EXPECTATIONS
- The intern will participate in all activities in a professional manner, including protecting the confidentiality of museum records and information shared by community collaborators
- The intern will participate in the museum’s DEAI initiatives
- The intern will carry out or assist with a research project that may lead to a professional publication or presentation
Our practices align with the American Institute for Conservation Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, and we are committed to actively embracing the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s DEAI strategy.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently enrolled in a recognized art conservation graduate program with an internship requirement
- Focus on objects conservation with a strong interest in the conservation of material culture and/or natural science collections
- Facility using Microsoft 365 (Office Suite) and Adobe Photoshop
- Evidence of writing ability and hand skills
- Ability to work within and contribute to a collaborative team
Applications are encouraged by individuals historically underrepresented in the conservation and museum fields.
AVENIR CONSERVATION CENTER VISION AND MISSION
Vision
The newly established Avenir Conservation Center is committed to compassionate and scholarly conservation initiatives that are deeply rooted in ethical practice and in shared learning. We strive to model excellence as well as decenter historical perspectives on ownership, care, and preservation of belongings housed in museum collections by partnering with originating and descendant communities to amplify their beliefs and desires. We resolve to honor diverse cultural protocols during all phases of our work.
Mission Develop a facility that generates collaborative and innovative research and collections care; serves as a resource for other institutions and individuals; and mentors a new generation of conservators and museum professionals from diverse and wide-reaching backgrounds. We will join the forward-thinking people and organizations that model the changes we embrace.