2026 Curatorial Intern: Summer

Job Description:

Intern Position Title: 2026 Curatorial Intern: Summer

Position Type: Full Time

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Department: Curatorial

Intern Supervisor: Assistant Curator, Modern Art

Intern Classification: Undergraduate

Date Reviewed: 05/01/2026

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, charitable, non-profit 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 Curatorial Intern supports the curatorial team in the research, interpretation, and presentation of artworks and exhibitions. This position is open to current students and provides hands on exposure to curatorial practice within a museum setting. Interns support a variety of projects, including exhibition development, object research, interpretive writing such as object labels, and initiatives related to the full range of the museum’s craft collection, from historic to contemporary.

As a Curatorial Intern, you will help bring innovative projects to life by providing essential support for craft focused initiatives within the museum and beyond. By contributing directly to ongoing projects, the intern expands upon their academic training and applies their knowledge and skills in a professional environment while gaining insight into the collaborative and intellectual work that shapes curatorial decision making.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Collection Research: Build object files for new acquisitions including works in ceramics, wood, fiber, glass, and metal. Fact-check information, write object-related content, and prepare presentations for internal and external audiences. Conduct research on potential acquisitions to support the growth of the museum’s diverse holdings in American craft.

• Gallery Installation: Join for curatorial review of artwork installation in CB’s new expansion

Qualifications:

• Ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Demonstrated research and writing skills
• Positive attitude and collaborative spirit
• Ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and discretion
• Proficiency in using standard office equipment including copiers and telephone, as well as Microsoft 365 applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams

Schedule:

• Dates: June 1st through July 25th
• Hours: Up to 40
• 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:

• 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

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 accommodation 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.