Internship: Learning

The Learning Programs Intern supports learning programs for family, youth, and adult audiences. They will deepen their understanding of museum education and its impact, while learning to design programs for specific audiences and exhibitions. Interns will gain skills in event planning, project incubation and facilitation, administration, and museum pedagogy. In this role, expect to:

• Provide planning, administrative, and preparation support for monthly Family Days, quarterly Youth-led programs, and occasional Artist Talks, field trips, or other exhibition programs. This includes:

o Creating floor plans, ordering supplies, coordinating with contractors and other museum departments.

o Preparation, gathering, and organizing of project materials and hospitality supplies.

o Helping to welcome and orient visitors to programs and assisting visitors in engaging with projects.

o Connecting and collaborating with other Chicago cultural organizations.

• Participate in all aspects of Learning program development, from conception to execution.

• Review research on MCA exhibitions to aid in the design of Learning Programs and conduct research in areas related to museum learning including anti-racist pedagogy, healing-centered learning, social-emotional learning, and culturally sustainable teaching. 

• Design and lead one learning program from start to finish, to be determined based on the interns particular area of interest. Potential projects include:

o Program a local artist talk related to an exhibition.

o Design and host an interactive activity for families.

o Facilitate a studio-making workshop for students on field trips.

o Organize a youth-led event.

• Attend regular Learning department meetings and cross-departmental meetings pertinent to Learning programs.

• Participate in departmental meetings and MCA staff events.

• MCA Internships are geared towards current college students and recent graduates ( <1 year ) who are interested in contemporary art and have a passion for learning more about how museums work.
• Candidates must be interested in exploring a potential career in the cultural sector.
• Interns must be able to work up to 24 hours per week onsite for the entirety of the internship period.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, demonstrate excellent communication skills (both verbal and written), organized, and able to manage assignments with attention to detail. 
• Ability to perform occasional light lifting.

• Gain exposure to the overall workings of a museum through information sessions with key museum leaders.
• Play an integral role in the growth and success of MCA programs.
• Gain a breadth of professional experiences.
• Complete a specific target project and daily assignments.
• Participate in departmental meetings and MCA staff events.
• Engage in weekly check-in sessions with their supervisor.

This internship opportunity begins 8/12/2024 and ends 5/16/2025. To apply, please submit a resume, a writing sample, and include your availability in your cover letter. Must be able to communicate fluently in English. Ability to operate computers, printers, and telephones is required. General mobility throughout the building, light lifting, and ability to stand for extended periods of time as scheduled is required. The hourly rate for this role is $17.00. The submission deadline is 6/23/2024.

Interested? APPLY NOW https://mcachicago.org/About/Employment

P.S. The MCA provides great benefits to part-time staff that include: visiting the MCA’s galleries, curator led staff tours of MCA exhibitions, discounts at the MCA Store and MCA restaurant Marisol, discounts for MCA Stage and other programs, plus a wide variety of discounts at many cultural institutions in the Chicagoland area.