Exhibitions Design & Production Intern, The U
USHMM - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, DC


This internship is designed to provide the incumbent with experience-based learning of major aspects of Exhibition Production and Design.

What are the specific duties involved with the internship? What qualifications and skills (minimum and preferred) are required? What will your intern be working on day-to-day? Is this a paid/unpaid internship?

There are three primary goals. The development of a photo record of the permanent exhibit segments, assisting with exhibit maintenance and artifact rotations. The majority of time will be spent in photographing, editing and organizing a visual reference base of the Permanent Exhibition. Four to six hours a week will be spent assisting in exhibit maintenance. The incumbent will also observe and assist in the artifact rotation process as required.

Special project
Photo Documentation-
The incumbent will produce clear photo documentation of all exhibit segments in the Permanent Exhibition. Edited photographs will be organized into folders by floor and segment numbers taken from existing drawings.

Skills
Must have experience in taking and editing photography in some advanced capacity. A real advantage would be experience working with Adobe Photoshop or other editing programs. Some advanced education completed in Museum Studies, Fine Arts, Industrial Design, Lighting Design or other fields related to the work included in this description. Some experience with hand and power tools, or some trade experience. Be prepared to work on ladders up to 10 feet in height and lift 30 lbs. Must complete USHMM safety training program as condition of this internship.

Exhibition Maintenance
Works directly with Museum staff to learn care and maintenance of exhibitions and exhibition lighting. Maintenance and upkeep of galleries may include some or all of the following: painting touch-ups and repair of walls and other surfaces, replacement of artifact labels, repair of cases, furniture, railings and railing cables, props, textiles, and scenic or faux finished surfaces.

Fabrication
May assist in building and fabrication of exhibit elements such as case furniture, or more basic components such as such as stand-offs and brackets. May assist with screen-printing and finishing operations in the museum's paint shop.

Installation
Following as part of artifact rotations, replacement of text panels, labels, photomurals and other graphics. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn how the various pieces of an exhibition fit together and to learn how the various departments involved work together to create a complete finished product.

Projected work schedule (Start/End dates, number of hours per week, weekly schedule, space needed)

Start August thru Nov.?

M-F 8am to 5pm, with the potential for some occasional evening hours for installation work. Specific hours are flexible with consistency valued over specific schedule. Rotations and installations occur early mornings or after hours.

Space required: Existing workstation, small desktop area such as those in use at portals, B-71 computer, Linthicum computer. Otherwise work is out on exhibit floors or shops.

This is an opportunity for the applicant to advance their education and career goals by participating in the aspects of the design and production function of a world-class museum. They will learn the specific and specialized requirements of museum casework and appropriate materials used. The incumbent will learn basic techniques required to properly illuminate artifacts and museum objects in accordance with accepted museum practices. They will learn the requirements and processes for the rotation of museum artifacts. They will learn the basic functions of the exhibitions team and how it interacts and interfaces with other departments and staff, and the specific roles that each plays in the design and development of successful museum displays.

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