Applications for internships will be accepted beginning on February 1, 2022. Additional information about process and timing can be found on the Museum’s website.
Updated: February 10, 2022
San José Museum of Art announced today that it has been selected as one of 10 North American museums to participate in the Association of Art Museum Directors’ (AAMD) paid internship program for college students from underrepresented communities. Focused on students who are in their sophomore, junior, or senior years, the program will provide an opportunity for students who have begun to solidify their academic interests and potential career path to get hands-on experience in an art museum for 12 weeks during the summer of 2022, while earning a stipend of $16.20 an hour.
At San José Museum of Art, our intern will focus on projects in the Museum’s fundraising, membership, special events, and facility rentals programs. They will participate in regular staff meetings and other focused meetings relating to their central project: managing the compilation and production of the annual gala auction brochure, a critical fundraising document published in advance of the Museum’s 2022 Gala + Auction on September 24. In partnership with the development and membership coordinator, the intern will work with staff from the Museum’s curatorial, development, exhibitions, marketing, and administration departments to develop, edit, and produce text, images, and other information for the 40+ page auction booklet, researching artists, fact-checking text, confirming titles and credit lines, and helping to oversee final production of the print and digital publication.
They will also work closely with the Museum’s chief philanthropy officer throughout their 12 weeks, developing a mentoring relationship to ensure there are opportunities for conversation, feedback, direction, and questions, as well as longer-term career advice. They will also work closely with the development and membership coordinator, herself a previous AAMD intern at SJMA, who will serve as project manager. In addition to the stipend, the selected intern will participate in two networking and professional development opportunities with fellow AAMD interns from other institutions.
For more information about how to apply, please visit our website at: sjmusart.org/employment. The application process will formally open February 1, 2022, and applications must be submitted by March 15, 2022; the Museum will make its selection and contact the candidate by April 15, 2022.
“We are excited to be participating in this terrific internship program, for the second year, along with such great peer institutions across North America,” said S. Sayre Batton, Oshman Executive Director. “An essential component of cultivating the next generation of art museum professionals is to provide hands-on work experience through paid internships, particularly to Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, or multiracial students. Through their work on this project, the intern will gain project management experience, editorial and publication experience, and fundraising experience as well as gain insight into the ways Museum departments work together to meet shared fundraising goals. We are grateful to AAMD for the support it provides to manage and sustain this program.”
AAMD’s internship program was planned and launched in 2018, with the first group of interns completing their programs in spring and summer 2019. Now in its third year, this program is one of a number of steps taken to increase equity and diversity in the field, where research has consistently shown that fewer than 20% of leadership positions are held by people of color.
ABOUT AAMD
The Association of Art Museum Directors advances the profession by cultivating leadership capabilities of directors, advocating for the field, and fostering excellence in art museums. An agile, issues-driven organization, AAMD has three desired outcomes: engagement, leadership, and shared learning. Further information about AAMD’s professional practice guidelines and position papers is available at aamd.org.
San Jose Museum of Art
The San José Museum of Art (SJMA) is the premier modern and contemporary art museum in Silicon Valley, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD). With bold vision to become a borderless museum, essential to creative life thoughout the diverse communities of San Jose and Silicon Valley, SJMA’s program presents the work of internationally acclaimed and emerging artists.
SJMA is located at 110 South Market Street in downtown San José, California. The Museum is open Friday through Sunday, 11am to 6pm and until 9pm on the first Friday of each month. For up-to-date information about SJMA, visit SanJoseMuseumofArt.org. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and free to members, college students, youth ages 17 and under, and school teachers (with valid ID). For more information, call 408.271.6840 or visit SanJoseMuseumofArt.org.
Beginning Friday, February 4, 2022 SJMA will require proof of full vaccination + booster shots for all eligible visitors—5 years and older, or proof of a negative test from a medical provider or laboratory within 72 hours of visiting the Museum. SJMA is carefully and continually monitoring the efficacy of these guidelines in real time and making further adjustments as needed. Please check SJMA's website for the most up-to-date information.