Internship Opportunities

Museum Studies classes are recommended for students planning a career in museums, galleries, or non-profit arts organizations. If you have specific questions or would like help planning a sequence in Museum Studies, please contact Dr. Kay Arthur at arthurkg@jmu.edu/ 540-568-6642; Dr. John Ott at ottjw@jmu.edu/ (spring semester) or Dr. David Ehrenpreis at ehrenpdh@jmu.edu /540-568-2527.

Courses

ARTH/HIST 396 Introduction to Public History
3 Credits.  Offered fall semesters. (Dr. Gabrielle Lanier)
An introduction to the varied field of public history, such as community and local history, historic preservation, archives, historical archaeology, museum studies, business and policy history, documentary editing and publishing, documentary films. Readings, class trips, occasional guest speakers and field trips.

ARTH/HIST 408 The Museum:  Histories And Controversies
3 Credits.  Offered every third semester. (Dr. John Ott)
This seminar centers on art museums in the United States. Topics include the historical development of museums, related cultures of display, recent debates on institutional mission and responsibility, and contemporary artists who employ the museum as medium, subject matter or site. Also to be examined are world’s fairs, department stores, theme parks, and zoos, as well as science, history, natural history, and ethnographic museums. Required field trips.  Prerequisite: GARTH 206 or permission of the instructor.

ARTH 486 Monticello
3 Credits.  Offered every fourth semester. (Dr. John Ott)
The seminar focuses on the architecture and material culture of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. The course will examine the house’s design, artworks, decorative arts, mechanical devices, landscape/garden design and Mulberry Row. Topics will include African-American artisans at the Monticello joinery, Jefferson’s Indian Hall, European and American domestic life in the Federal period. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

ARTH/HIST 492 American Material Culture
3 Credits.  Offered spring semesters. (Dr. Gabrielle Lanier)
A broad introduction to the multidisciplinary field of material culture studies through readings, written assignments, in-class exercises, and field trips.  The course introduces ways of looking at and learning from objects and examines how scholars from several disciplines have used material culture in their work. Prerequisite HIST 395 or permission of the instructor for non-history majors.

ARTH/HIST 493 Historic Preservation
3 Credits.  Offered spring semesters. (Dr. Darryl Nash)
Introduction to the philosophy and techniques of historic preservation, guidelines for restoration, state and national register forms and procedures, historic architecture, structural analysis, as well as business aspects of historic preservation. Field trips required. Prerequisite HIST 395 or permission of the instructor for non-history majors.

ARTH/HIST 494 Introduction To Museum Work
3 credits.  Offered fall semesters. (Mr. Stuart Downs)
A study of the philosophy and practice of museum work, including the areas of research, exhibit design, conservation, registration, education, and administration.  The course is composed of equal parts: lecture, seminar, and experiential learning.  The subject is taught from the perspective of the museum profession and is applicable to diverse disciplines and types of collections. This course is recommended as a prerequisite for regional, national or international internships.

Internships

ARTH 495 Sawhill Gallery Internships
1–2 credits.  Offered in fall and spring semesters. (Mr. Stuart Downs)
Sawhill Gallery internships combine duties of gallery attendant with hands-on opportunities hanging exhibits and designing publicity. Interns work with the director of the Sawhill Gallery. These internships provide a general introduction to gallery work. You may pick up an application in the gallery office, Duke Rm.101.

ARTH 495 ArtWorks Student Gallery Internships
1-3 credits.  Offered in fall and spring semesters. (Prof. Leslie Bellavance)
Interns have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of JMU’s student-run gallery in the Grace Street building. They may help review artist portfolios, select exhibitions, produce publicity, and design and install shows. ArtWorks offers three types of internships: gallery assistants, assistant director, and ArtWorks gallery director. Contact the graduate advisor to ArtWorks, Ramiro Fernandez, at fermanrx@jmu.edu.

ARTH 495 Visual Resources Internships
1-2 credits.  Offered in fall, spring, and summer sessions (Ms. Christina Updike)
Opportunities to work in the Visual Resources Center in the School of Art & Art History with slide collection management, digital imaging, cataloging and administrative duties.  Also available as a work/study student assistantship. This internship provides excellent background for careers in digital imaging, and art librarianship. Students apply and are selected on the basis of art history background and/or experience. There will be an opening for spring 2007 semester.  Students should contact Ms. Christina Updike, Visual Resources Curator (phone: 568-6588, e-mail updikecb@jmu.edu).

ARTH 495 Madison Art Collection & Gallery, Festival Center
1-3 credits.  Offered fall, spring, and summer sessions (Dr. Kate Monger).
Internships available in a variety of specializations, such as research positions, exhibit designers, educational outreach, and curatorial duties.  This internship provides hands-on experience with original works of art ranging from Prehistoric, Greek and Roman, African, Asian, South American, Russian icons, European and American art. See the website http://web.jmu.edu/mars/ Summer 2007 internships will be available for the new Festival Gallery. For application information, contact Dr. Kate Monger at (540) 568-6934, mongerke@jmu.edu, or at the Study Collection in the College Center, Room 2102.

ARTH 495 Carrier Library Manuscript Preservation Internship
1-3 credits.  Offered fall, spring and summer semesters. (Ms. Julia Merkel)
Offered through Carrier Library, the intern will receive training in archival repair of library materials, environmental monitoring of collections; and stabilizing and re-housing of manuscripts.  Preference is given to those considering a career or further study in conservation, museum studies, or history and archives.  Extreme attention to detail and fine motor skills are also requirements of the position.  For more information see http://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/services/internships.aspx or contact Julia Merkel at merkeljm@jmu.edu or 568-7040.

ARTH 495 National and Regional Internships
1-8 credits.  Offered on a year round basis; recommended for summer sessions.
Students may arrange internship credit for work performed in museums and galleries.  Students work with onsite museum staff and JMU faculty to determine the academic requirements for the credits. They may be general or specialized internships (research, exhibition, education, collections management, administration).  ARTH 494 is recommended as a prerequisite, but can be waived if the student is a rising junior or senior, has a cumulative average of 2.8 or above, and provides a faculty recommendation.  Contact Dr. Kay Arthur, arthurkg@jmu.edu or Dr. John Ott, ottjw@jmu.edu. Students have arranged internships in the following museums:

• Virginia Quilt Museum, Harrisonburg, VA.
• Oasis Art Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA.
• Harrisonburg Children’s Museum, Harrisonburg; Fort Harrison, Dayton, VA.
• Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Presidential Library, Staunton, VA.
• Bayly Museum University of Virginia Art, Charlottesville, VA.
• Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville, VA.
• Ashlawn, Charlottesville, VA.
• Montpelier Museum, Orange, VA.
• Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA.
• 1708 Gallery, Richmond, VA;
• Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, VA.
• Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA.
• Peninsula Fine Arts Center, Newport News, VA.
• Corcoran Museum, Washington DC.
• National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC.
• Phillips Collection, Washington DC;
• American Association of Museums, Washington DC;
• Hirshhorn Museum, Washington DC.
•  National Endowment for the Arts, Washington DC
•  Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD
• Christies Auction House, New York, N.Y.
• Museum of Modern Art, New York, N.Y
• The Museums of Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY.

ARTH 495 International Arts Internships
Opportunities to work in international museums and art collections. Students generally must have foreign language skills, and prior study or living experience in the country is preferred. Students apply and are interviewed for the positions on campus.   In the past ARTH students have done internships in the Dickens House/ Dr. Johnson’s House Museum, London; the Paul Mellon Institute for Studies in British Art, London; WICE educational galleries, Paris; and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid.  This program is administered by JMU’s International Programs, Office of International Internships.  Contact Ms. Judy Cohen, cohenjk@jmu.edu, phone: 568-6979.