McDermott Intern for School Outreach Programs

Description

Position: McDermott Intern for School Outreach Programs 

Reports to: Manager of School Outreach Programs 

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly 

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid holiday, personal and sick time; $500 for professional development 

Schedule: Generally, Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch (with occasional weekends and evening hours for special events on & off-site); ability to work remotely 2 days per week following 90-day introductory period  

Internship Period: September 1, 2026 - May 28, 2027 

Salary: $15/hour, 35 hours per week  

Deadline: March 16, 2026 

 Mission 

The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive. 

The DMA will: 

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate. 
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art. 
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity. 

Scope of Internship   
The McDermott Intern for School Outreach Programs will support the Dallas Museum of Art’s efforts to bring art experiences beyond the museum and directly into classrooms across Dallas; most school outreach programs occur off-site. The intern will gain valuable insight into museum education and school outreach engagement through programs like Go van Gogh, Middle School Partnership, Special Education Art Workshops, and other outreach partnerships, visits, and collaborations. 

This internship offers a comprehensive view of how museum educators extend the DMA’s mission of making art accessible to all by going off-site to schools and fostering creativity and curiosity among young learners. The intern will assist with all aspects of program development and delivery, including brainstorming program ideas, preparing and organizing teaching materials, supporting volunteer-led classroom visits, and facilitating art conversations and art-making activities.  

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist with preparing materials and supply bags for Go van Gogh classroom visits. 
• Drive the Go van Gogh Van to off-site school outreach programs at least 1-2 times a week. 
• Observe, co-teach, and facilitate programs off-site in schools/classrooms across Dallas.  
• Participate in program facilitation, helping lead art-making activities and classroom discussions alongside DMA staff, volunteers, and/or solo. 
• Help with volunteer management tasks, such as sending program reminder emails, observing and evaluating volunteers, and attending volunteer trainings. 
• Contribute to program documentation and surveys, including collecting visitor voices, taking photos (if permitted), or assisting in partnership survey distribution and collection. 
• Collaborate in brainstorming and planning sessions for future outreach lessons, projects, and initiatives. 
• Help evaluate school outreach programs to determine the long-range impact of students’ and teachers’ program experiences.  
• Collect relevant attendance and demographic statistics to support ongoing reporting. 
• Attend weekly team meetings. 
• Support additional outreach initiatives or Family, Youth, and School events as needed, including occasional on-site programs related to families, youth, and school audiences.  

Internship Goals:

• Gain firsthand experience in museum education and school outreach engagement, understanding how the DMA connects with schools, students, and educators across Dallas. 
• Develop professional skills in program planning, communication, classroom engagement, and collaborative teamwork. 
• Develop skills in off-site program planning and facilitation, including how to design, organize, and deliver engaging art experiences for students. 
• Learn about volunteer management practices, observing how volunteers are trained, supported, and coordinated to lead outreach programs. 
• Build confidence in classroom engagement techniques, including how to adapt teaching strategies for different grade levels, learning environments, and abilities. 

Requirements

 Required Experience, Skills, and Abilities:  

• Must be comfortable working alongside PreK-8th grade students and students with disabilities.  
• Must be comfortable in facilitating programs and collaborating with teachers/educators. 
• Able to pass a background check and enter schools. 
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is strongly preferred, but not required. 
• Valid driver’s license. Must be comfortable driving a minivan on highways in traffic. 
• Ability to work evening and weekends as necessary.  

Preferred Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to handle multiple tasks, working effectively and efficiently under pressure and paying great attention to detail. 
• Knowledge of learning styles, educational philosophy, teaching strategies, and multidisciplinary approaches in developing educational programming. 
• Ability to provide front-line customer service skills. 
• Ability to work well in a team environment, take initiative, and problem solve. 
• Demonstrates positive attitude, empathy, a high level of emotional intelligence, and conducts self in professional manner.   
• Excellent written, organizational, interpersonal, speaking, and computer skills. 

Internship Project:  

Throughout the internship, the McDermott Intern for School Outreach Programs will complete two major projects designed to build professional skills in museum education, outreach program design, and facilitation. These projects will encourage independent initiative, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the Dallas Museum of Art’s educational mission. 

1. Go van Gogh Program Plan 
2. The intern will research, design, and propose a new Go van Gogh outreach lesson for the following 2027-2028 school year, including artwork selection, discussion prompts, multi-modal engagement, and an accompanying art-making activity. The final product will be a complete lesson plan and program packet ready for staff review and future program use. 
3. Middle School Partnership Session 
4. The intern will plan and lead a Middle School Partnership session that combines art discussion and art-making, demonstrating their ability to design and facilitate meaningful student engagement experiences. 

Application Directions: 

McDermott Internship Program applications must include all of the below items in order to be complete. Please ensure you have reviewed the list below closely and all files are included with your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and late materials will not be accepted. If you have any difficulty with the application process or the Paylocity system, please first reach out to internships@dma.org for assistance. 

Upload and attach your resume, personal statement cover letter, and two letters of recommendation in your application form, as specified below. If your two references would prefer to submit their letters directly, please direct them to submit the letter of recommendation through the McDermott Internship Recommendation Form. All items must be received no later than March 16, 2026. 

Please save the files with your last name and document type in the title: e.g. Smith_Cover Letter_Position Title_2026. 

Resume or CV 

Submit in application under Select Resume to Upload 

Personal Statement Cover Letter 

A detailed one to two page cover letter explaining your interest in an art museum career. Include information regarding your personal learning expectations for the internship; any prior museum or art related experience; and any prior teaching experience, especially as it relates to the specific position. 

Submit in application under Upload Cover Letter 

Two Letters of Recommendation 

Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic reference. Please list these individuals in the reference list of the application. Only two references are required in the application. 

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files or Direct your references to upload through this link: 2026 DMA McDermott Internships: Letter of Recommendation Form  

Our Core Values 

• Act with Integrity: We are honest and ethical. 
• Build Inclusivity: We create spaces where everyone can feel like they belong. 
• Communicate Respectfully: We listen intentionally and advocate for diverse perspectives. 
• Embrace and Drive Change: We are innovative, creative, and solutions driven. 
• Foster Connections: We collaborate around shared goals. 
• Maintain Balance: We encourage ourselves and each other to reflect and recharge. 
• Remain Curious: We pursue personal and professional learning. 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 

Equity 

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all. 

Diversity 

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity. 

Inclusion 

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture. 

EOE 

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.