Art of Europe Paintings & Exhibition Research Graduate Intern
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*This is a two-semester-long internship.
The European paintings created before 1800 in Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, constitute one of the strongest collections in North America. There are especially deep holdings in Italian gold-ground works and seventeenth-century Dutch and Flemish paintings. There is also a strong group of Spanish paintings across several centuries; this Spanish collection may be part of a major exhibition in a future year.
The Art of Europe department seeks a graduate intern to work part time for the academic year, from September 2026 to May 2027. We aim for candidates who desire a deeper familiarity with this important paintings collection and the research tasks of a curator. Working with the chair of the department and other staff, the graduate research intern will undertake research connected to upcoming exhibitions, as well as gallery displays and documentation of the pre-1800 portion of the permanent collection. Some time may be devoted to future galleries of Medieval art. Interns will receive training and can expect to refine their research skills. In addition to the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course (see below), interns will be included in behind-the-scenes visits and learning opportunities organized by the Art of Europe.
Successful candidates will be mature, detail-oriented, adept with technology and administrative tasks, and will have a demonstrated interest in museum work. Please note any foreign language skills and other proficiencies.
Ideal candidates must be able to commit to work onsite 18-20 hours weekly, between 9am-5pm Monday-Friday between Sept 11, 2026 – May 14, 2027. Additionally, graduate interns are required to attend the following professional development sessions during the semester: Orientation on Sept 11, Meet the Leadership Team (date to be announced at orientation), and Final Presentations on Dec 4. They are welcome to attend any other sessions that appeal to them. The full schedule to be announced at orientation.
The intern will be paid at a rate of $19.95 per hour and will receive a $90 per month transportation subsidy.
As we amplify our efforts toward becoming a truly inclusive institution and fostering the next generation of museum staff, the MFA actively encourages students from all backgrounds to apply to the program.
Essential Functions:
- Augmenting painting object files with new research conducted in art history libraries, including the compilation of bibliographies and exhibition histories on works in the collection.
- Reconciling this information with that in the MFA collections database
- Ensure complete and accurate documentation in hard copy and electronic formats.
- Library research related to upcoming exhibitions and preparation of research summaries, tracking down sources online or in libraries.
- Searching for potential loans from other institutions via databases and publications
- Updating the working checklist for exhibitions and installations in the form of PowerPoints, spreadsheets, and lists
- Editing and proofreading connected to the production of exhibition catalogues.
- Translation of research texts into English
- Opportunities to learn about and assist with daily tasks, both research and clerical, such as drafting labels and wall texts, creating PowerPoints, and responding to public inquiries
- *Prepare and offer a 3–5-minute final synoptic presentation of the internship as part of the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course
Qualifications:
- Enrollment in (or within two years of completion) of an M.A. or Ph.D. graduate program in art history or similar discipline, such as history
- Demonstrable substantial experience using libraries to research European art.
- Strong reading knowledge of at least one European language besides English
- Ability to work onsite 18 - 20 hours per week, within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters, between Sept 11, 2026 – May 14, 2027.
- Graduate interns are required to attend the following professional development sessions during the semester: Orientation on Sept 11, Meet the Leadership Team (date to be announced at orientation), and Final Presentations on Dec 4. They are welcome to attend any other sessions that appeal to them.
- Ability to attend orientation on Fri, Sept 11, 2026, 10am to 3:30pm.
How to Apply
DO NOT INCLUDE any document, (e.g., transcripts, writing samples, or even recommendations), that is not specifically requested within the description. DO NOT INCLUDE your photo in your resume or cover letter. Explicitly follow these instructions as printed.
- Combine your cover letter and resume into a single document, (Word or PDF). The cover letter must includeall of the following:
- the title of the internship for which you are applying (one internship per application)
- how the named internship fits into your academic and/or career goals
- why your specific skills/experience/interests qualify you for the internship.
- any periods when you are not available for an in-person interview.
- your contact information including e-mail and daytime phone
- Save your document file as (LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_POSITIONTITLE_Fall2026)
- Upload the single document as your resume via the ADP portal Internships | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston ASAP before Aug 15, 2026
- Candidates may apply for no more than two internships per season and must submit a separate cover letter/resume document for each position.
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