PAID INTERNSHIP| COLLECTIONS INTERN [SWEDISH AMERICAN MUSEUM]
Intern Responsibilities:
The Collections Intern will work on digitizing the Museum’s archival collection. These items include photographs, postcards, letters, and documents pertaining to immigration, social clubs, and businesses. The Museum has over 3,500 items in its archival collection and only about 350 records have been digitized thus far. We are working on this digitization project with the goal of uploading our collections online in the next couple of years.
Tasks include:
- Digitizing items and following rules & standards set out in the Museum’s Digitization Guide
- Editing images using Adobe Photoshop if necessary
- Uploading images to the collections database PastPerfect and entering in metadata
- Updating incorrect data in PastPerfect
Learning Opportunities
- Learn how to properly handle museum collection items
- Understand the importance and value in digitization
- Learn digitization standards
- Learn how to navigate and use a collections database system (PastPerfect)
The intern may also be asked to assist the Curator in other projects that arise, such as exhibit production and installation.
Qualifications:
- The intern should possess an interest in museum collection work.
- A strong attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to work well independently.
- Experience with PastPerfect, or other collections management systems.
- Adobe Photoshop is a plus as well as course work in museum studies, history, or anthropology.