Summer 2025 Internships

- Collections Intern / Costumes

Job Overview:

The Museum of «Ƶ is seeking up to three interns over the next year to assist with an IMLS grant which will survey 15% or approximately 1,650 peices of the Museum’s costume collection. Designated “An American Treasure” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this collection will be the Museum’s focus in order to create a blueprint for future preservation studies of the full collection. Interns will assist with the inventory and evaluation process of this significant collection by working directly on updating the Museum’s database, conducting condition reports, photographing pieces, and otherwise examining these priceless objects. The paid positions work under the direction of the Museum’s Curator of Collections and Exhibits as well as the Collections Assistant - Costumes.

the Museum:

OUR MISSION

History happens here. The Museum of «Ƶ showcases inclusive community stories, preserves them for the future, and inspires all of us to effect positive change.

OUR VISION

The Museum of «Ƶ will be a dynamic reflection of our community, a center where history is a resource for understanding our own lives and times.

  • We will safeguard artifacts that transport visitors to the past and materials that

preserve unwritten histories

  • We will balance curiosity about the essential themes of «Ƶ’s past with attention to untold and underrepresented stories
  • We will encourage community creation and engagement, while offering inspiring space and historical context to reach a broad audience across generation, origin, identity, and creed.

Skills and Abilities:

Under the direction of collections assistant and curator the candidate will:

  • Work with the collections team to inventory and house costume pieces including conducting condition reports, taking digital images and entering data into the Museum’s Past Perfect database
  • Ability to create and maintain accurate, well-researched and precise records
  • Handle and move objects for inventory and exhibition, this could include improving storage, and updating conservation and condition reports
  • Assist with quality control of data entered into Past Perfect and digital image management, including confirming copyright status for project images as requested
  • Assist collections assistant and curator as needed
  • All other duties as assigned

Minimum requirements:

  • Working toward a Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited institution with a focus on fashion, textiles, museum studies, anthropology, history, or related field
  • Broad interest in fashion and fashion history. A specialized knowledge working with 19th and 20th century costume history is a plus
  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of best practices for museum and collection standards
  • Ability to lift 30-50 pounds
  • Ability to use ladders and work safely and comfortably at elevated heights
  • Ability to work safely and comfortably in dusty and/or dirty working environments
  • Flexibility, adaptability, and a sense of humor

Other desired skills:

  • Experience working with the Past Perfect database
  • Excellent organization skills, follow-through, and attention to detail
  • Excellent research, writing and editing skills
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple projects to successful completion on time
  • Team player able to work collaboratively with other departments within the museum
  • Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities Stipend (includes taxes, no benefits): $1200 per semester

TYPICAL EQUIPMENT USED: Computer, printer, scanner, copier, digital camera

How to apply:Submit aninternship applicationand a cover letter to the History Internships Coordinator, Dr. Henry Lovejoy (hlovejoy@colorado.edu). Cover letter should be saved as a PDF and must answer the following questions:

  • What skills do you bring to this internship?
  • How does this internship support your current historical interests & future goals?
  • What do you hope to get out of the internship?

Application deadline:Priority deadline isMay 8th; applications accepted until the positions are filled.

MORE TO COME