Art Library
Asian Art
Collections Management
Curatorial
Education
Information Technology
Art Library
The internship will provide the student with exposure to all aspects of special art librarianship. Staff will mentor the student in learning the provision and management of information services at one of the finest art libraries in the southern United States.
Interns will learn the history and mission of the Ringling Library and its relationship and contributions to the parent institution, the Ringling Museum (a division of Florida State University), including the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, Cà d’Zan Mansion, and Historic Asolo Theater.
Major areas of learning will include:
- the administration of people, planning, and budgets;
- the role of technology in the Museum Library in the cataloging process, digital preservation program, and provision of reference assistance to users;
- research on special topics;
- collection development and maintenance.
The intern will assist the Librarian in specific projects, including digitization projects, conservation plan, and research on rare books.
Applicants must be enrolled in a Master’s program in library science/services. Art history background preferred.
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Asian Art
The intern will carry out research on the Japanese and Korean art from our collections as well as our new acquisitions in the museum. The research will include the ongoing cataloguing and documentation of individual artworks that have recently been accessioned into the Museum’s collection, as well as the study of other works in the Museum. The intern will also work with the Asian art curator in researching and planning an exhibition on East Asia ceramics that will be presented in the Searing Wing of the Museum, and the preparation of the Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt Gallery of Asian Art. The intern will also have the opportunity to work with all members of the curatorial staff.
Ph.D. or Master’s student with a major in Asian art history and familiarity with Japanese or Korean language preferred.
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Collections Management
The Collections Management Department bears the responsibility and functions that provide for the accessibility, accountability, utility, and preservation of the collections and associated data at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. It is the responsibility of the CMD to ensure that collections, exhibitions and loans are documented according to museum standards, so that the Museum is able to account for location and to provide information about them via manual, electronic, and photographic records. The CMD, in collaboration with Conservation and Curatorial departments, must see that all collections are stored and exhibited appropriately to prevent deterioration and are protected against damage, loss, and exposure to harmful environmental conditions. Finally, the CMD must ensure that the Museum is legally accountable for collections records and operates in a responsible and ethical fashion.
The intern will be introduced to all aspects of the Collections Management Department and its role within the Ringling Museum. He/She is expected to gain a broad understanding of the Registration profession. The intern will attend exhibition openings; gallery talks, departmental, division, and board meetings, as well as work with different Museum departments on small projects.
The intern’s primary project will consist of working with the Collection’s database TMS; updating records for the Cypriot collection, Photography collection etc.; assist with the digitization project to facilitate collection objects entering the Artstore database. The goal of the internship is for the intern to be a valued, productive member of the Museum staff, as well as gaining invaluable experience and tangible projects that can be used to further a resume or future education.
Applicants enrolled in a Master’s program in museum studies, art history, library science, or decorative arts preferred.
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Curatorial
Among the Ringling Museum’s most important holdings are five cartoons (full-scale preparatory models) for tapestries from the Triumph of the Eucharist series executed ca. 1625-27 by the Flemish Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens. A book-length study on the series is planned and in progress: entitled Spectacle and Splendor: Peter Paul Rubens’ Triumph of the Eucharist Series, it is scheduled for release in December 2011. The intern will assist with the ongoing preparations for this project. Work will include the cataloguing and documentation of artworks relating to the series, sourcing images for publication from other institutions and maintaining rights and reproductions files, and other research tasks as required.
Master’s in art history preferred.
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Education
Education is looking for an intern with an interest in working with a broad spectrum of museum audiences, from life-long learners to young children. Education interfaces with many departments of the Museum including Curatorial, Preparation and Exhibition Design, Visitor Services, Security, Collections Management and the Museum library. Duties can include: assisting with research and development of adult programs, assisting with research and development of training for the Museum’s docent corps, conducting docent evaluations, development of family activities for upcoming exhibitions, including gallery guides and art activities, active participation in the Museum’s summer youth and family programs. Hours may include evenings and weekends
A working knowledge of art history as well as strong research, writing, and editing skills are required. Master’s in an art history or art education program preferred.
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Information Technology
Technology in a cultural institution is critical in today’s environment. Technology to support and enhance the visitors’ experience – virtual and onsite - is dependent on backend databases, data integrity, digitization, systems management and related operations of Museum IT staff.
Proposed projects integrate technology with activities currently planned or underway primarily in the Circus Museums and Archives:
1. TMS/eMuseum
Several collections digitized for public access currently reside in MS Access databases. These databases consisting of images and text must be converted to The Museum System (TMS) – a comprehensive collections database system - and integrated with eMuseum for public access. Project will provide a model for future data and image conversions, digitization processes and storage solutions.
2. Greenstone Project
The Museum is in the process of building a digital library of its collections for dissemination in the public domain using Greenstone software suite. Internship will include contributing to the project completion, ensuring data integrity and creating a model for establishing partnerships in national and international educational and cultural communities.
Technical Requirements:
- Skilled in backend databases and database structure.
- Hands-on experience with MS Access and SQL databases.
- Ability to code queries.
- Web interface development experience a plus.
Applicants completing a degree or enrolled in an information sciences (or related field) program preferred.
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