Graduate Internship: Decorative Arts of the Gulf South, Summer 2026

Description

Application Deadline: Monday, Mar 16 @ 5pm CST  

Organizational Department: Curatorial  

Project Season:   Summer 2026  

Program Duration:  June 22 – July 31, 2026 (6-Weeks) 

Internship Program Mission Statement  

The Historic New Orleans Collection’s internship program offers students and emerging public history professionals a unique opportunity to engage with collections that represent the creative heritage and rich history of Louisiana. HNOC internships foster experiential learning through exploration, inquiry, and practice. We aim to create an environment that enables interns to identify, actualize, and confidently pursue their academic and professional goals. 

Project Description 

The Decorative Arts of the Gulf South (DAGS) Graduate Internship offers an exceptional opportunity for graduate-level students to explore the intersection of decorative arts, curatorial practices, and digital humanities.  

The intern(s) will:   

• Help review the existing DAGS object catalog, ensuring accuracy and consistent vocabulary across the database 
• Photograph and catalog historic objects for the DAGS database 
• Learn about Louisiana material culture on visits to museums and historic sites in the New Orleans area 
• Research an object in the DAGS database and present a short final report on it 

Requirements

Project Format  

This is an on-site placement. The intern will be expected to report physically to the Historic New Orleans Collection French Quarter campus and be stationed at 410 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70130.  

Assigned field work will require travel outside of the New Orleans area and will be coordinated and funded by the host institution.  

Participant Expectations  

• Attendance: Regular attendance is required. Interns are expected to complete a minimum of 20 hours of engagement per week at the Williams Research Center. A specific weekly schedule will be coordinated with the intern, designated project lead(s), and program administration.  
• Time Commitment: Within the six-week duration of this program, the intern will complete a minimum of 100 hours of engagement, not to exceed a total of 150-hours.   
• Professionalism and Conduct: Interns should exhibit professional behavior, including punctuality, respect for the organization’s staff and patrons, and adherence to library policies. 

Compensation 

Interns will receive a stipend of $2,600, to be paid upon completion of the program. HNOC will provide housing and reimburse interns for travel expenses to and from New Orleans.  

Candidacy Requirements: 

• Current enrollment in or recent completion of a graduate program related to art history, decorative arts, museum studies, or a relevant field. 
• Applicants must have successfully completed at least 12-hours of coursework of their graduate program before June 2026. 
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex data and draw meaningful conclusions. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective reporting and presentations. - Experience in conducting research and familiarity with curatorial practices in the museum or gallery context. 
• Some prior experience studying or interpreting historic artifacts. Knowledge of decorative arts history, particularly within the Gulf South, is highly desirable.