European Jewelry Research Graduate Intern
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The MFA's European decorative arts collection is one of the strongest in North America, with especially deep holdings in French porcelain and furniture from the 18th century, English silver, ceramics, and furniture from the 17th to the 19th century, Italian Renaissance works of art, as well as Dutch ceramics. The Museum’s vast jewelry collection is among the best in the world, spanning 6,000 years of human history, its strengths include Ancient Egyptian and Nubian jewelry, 19th century American and European designs, contemporary studio craft, important examples of haute joaillerie, as well as design drawings and archival materials.
The Art of Europe (AOE) and Fashion, Textile, and Jewelry (FTJ) departments jointly seeks a graduate intern who wishes a deeper familiarity with these collections and the research tasks of a curator. Working with the Associate curator of European decorative arts and sculpture and Senior Curator of Jewelry and Fashion, the graduate research intern will catalogue, photograph, and study an important collection of rings, the William D. Boardman Collection. Interns will receive training and can expect to refine their cataloguing and research skills. Interns will be included in behind-the-scenes visits and learning opportunities.
Successful candidates will be mature, detail-oriented, able to work independently, adept with technology and administrative tasks, and will have a demonstrated interest in curatorial work.
The intern must commit to work onsite approximately 15 hours per week (within Tuesday through Thursday, 9am-4pm parameters. 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 selected intern will be paid at a rate of $ 19.95. Each intern will receive a $90 per month transportation subsidy that is subject to taxes.
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.
Responsibilities may include:
- Photographing, measuring, and documenting objects, including taking measurements and noting media/material.
- Undertaking library and archival research related to tracking down sources online or in libraries.
- Augmenting curatorial object files with new research, including the compilation of bibliographies and exhibition histories as relevant
- Reconciling bibliographies and exhibition histories with that in the MFA collections database
- Ensuring complete and accurate documentation in hard copy and electronic formats
- Learning about and assist with daily tasks, both research and clerical
- *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 recent completion, (i.e., within last two years), of an M.A. or Ph.D. graduate program in art history
- Academic background in European decorative arts and/or jewelry and fashion arts
- Substantial experience using libraries to research European art.
- Ability to work onsite approximately 15 hours per week (within Tuesday through Thursday, 9am 4pm parameters.
- 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, 10am to 3:30pm.
How to Apply
DO NOT INCLUDE any document not specifically requested within the description (e.g., recommendations, transcripts, writing samples, etc.) DO NOT include your photo in any of your documents.
- Combine your cover letter and resume into a single document, (Word or PDF). The cover letter must include all 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 August 15, 2026.
- Do not include any additional documents unless explicitly requested in the description.
- Candidates may apply for no more than two internships per season and must submit a separate cover letter/resume document for each position.
- **Direct any/all questions to: intern@mfa.org before submitting your application.
Applications not conforming to these guidelines may be deemed ineligible.
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