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The Art Gallery offers a limited number of short-term, unpaid internship placements in selected departments. Applications are subject to the requirements outlined below and to any criteria specified by the individual department to which you are applying.
Guidelines
- Internships are generally available only to currently enrolled tertiary level students.
- Priority is given to students enrolled in museum studies, art history, visual arts, art education or arts administration courses, and in particular to those students for whom an internship is a course requirement.
- Preference is given to students enrolled in educational institutions in New South Wales.
Information for potential applicants
- Internships at the Art Gallery of NSW are greatly sought after by many people, which makes the application process highly competitive.
- Each application will be assessed on its merits.
- You must apply for a specific department within the Gallery (see list, below). Address any special requirements for that department and mention any relevant skills and experience.
- Successful applicants will be subject to an interview to further determine their suitability.
- Successful applicants may be subject to security clearance and working-with-children checks.
- You should also consider approaching other galleries and museums for internships. View the Links page of the Museums and Galleries Foundation NSW for a list of other relevant organisations.
How to apply
1. Download the application form (PDF), print it and complete it.
2. Send the following:
- Completed application form
- Covering letter, clearly addressing the selection criteria
- Curriculum vitae
- Two references with contact details (one or more recent or current lecturers or tutors recommended)
- Any other documents from your educational institution supporting your case for internship and detailing internship requirements
to:
Tertiary Programs Co-ordinator
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road
The Domain Sydney NSW 2000
Departments offering internships
Click for information and requirements:
Public Programs coordinators develop activities that enhance public appreciation of the Gallery's collections and exhibitions, including the programming of symposia, lectures, performances, workshops and film screenings. Internships are occasionally available to assist with the Art After Hours program or other events. Applicants should...
- be completing a degree in art history or related discipline (preferably studying toward a postgraduate qualification)
- have excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills
- have the ability to work with the public, exercise initiative, act decisively in stressful situations and make timely consultations with programming staff
Internship tasks may include:
- Writing program copy
- Assisting with developing material for the website
- Researching the collection and/or exhibitions
- Assisting Public Programs staff at lectures, symposia and other events
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The Education department (technically, a sub-department of Public Programs) is dedicated to the provision of educational programs and the publication and dissemination of educational and informational publications.
Internships are usually project-specific, focusing on the development and coordination of programs and educational resources.
Note: child protection policies and procedures apply to working in Education:
Two types of Education internships are available:
1. General education programs
Requirements:
- Completing a degree in Primary or Secondary Education, preferably with a focus on Creative Arts or Visual Arts or a post-graduate qualification in museum studies or arts administration.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and writing and research skills.
- The ability to work as part of a team, prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
- An awareness of the NSW Stage 1-3 Creative Arts and Stage 4-6 Visual Arts Syllabus preferable.
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Applications: Open all year
2. ARTEXPRESS
Open to students completing a degree in Secondary Visual Arts Education only.
Working with AGNSW Education Coordinators, the intern will gain insights into, and direct hands-on experience of, the selection, design, installation and curating of the exhibition, as well assisting in the development of related resources, including the InsideARTEXPRESS website: www.insideartexpress.com.au
Requirements: as above
Duration: 2-4 weeks, commencing approximately the first week of November, depending on the ARTEXPRESS selection schedule.
Applications: Open 1 September - 30 September each year (Interviews first week of October)
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Curators are responsible for the development of specific areas of the collection and for the display and interpretation of that collection. Curators initiate exhibitions and instigate the development of ideas related to the exhibition.
Tasks undertaken by interns may include research, administration assistance and activities related to exhibition planning.
Requirements:
- Completing a post-graduate degree in art history or related discipline - essential
- Excellent research and writing skills
- Excellent organisational skills
Applications will be referred to the Gallery's individual curatorial departments.
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Applicants must be able to commit to a minimum of one day per week for a period of three months. Tasks will vary depending upon the current exhibition schedule but may include assisting with securing quotations, production scheduling, filing, visual documentation and drafting correspondence, and assisting with installation tasks such as exhibition design, label information and specific artist installation requirements.
Tasks will spread across the exhibitions program rather than be restricted to one specific project.
Applicants are asked to indicate their level of computer skills with software such as Excel, Word and any graphics, database or design packages.
Current students who will most benefit from the experience, including undergraduate, museum management and fine arts students will be given preference.
Interns will report directly to the Senior Exhibitions Manager.
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Tasks may include researching works of art in the collection, assisting with answering reference enquiries, assisting with arranging and describing archival resources, research for published archival guides and other related library activities.
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The Registration Department is responsible for managing the permanent collection and artworks borrowed by the Gallery. It manages the physical and legal aspects of packing, transporting, documenting and insuring all artworks the Gallery acquires, lends or borrows. It also manages the movement and storage of artworks within the building.
Registration at the Gallery is divided into two areas:
- Collection registrars, responsible for the permanent collection
- Exhibition registrars, responsible for artworks borrowed for the temporary exhibition program.
Available internships include working within the construction of archival storage and packing materials.
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The Conservation Department is responsible for the care of the Gallery's collection and ensuring its availability to future generations to appreciate. As part of this role, conservators are required to find suitable ways to protect artworks from deterioration, while at the same time making them publicly accessible. With constant changes in art practice and the use of new materials, research is an important part of the conservator's work.
Conservation at the Gallery is made up of a team of conservators with varying specialisations in the following areas:
- Oil paintings
- Works on paper
- Frames
- Three-dimensional objects
- Asian art
Interns will be placed under the guidance of a senior conservator and will be set work on particular projects relating to their area of specialisation.
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The Marketing Department is responsible for nurturing and maintaining the Gallery's image and profile through publicity and promotion. It also develops strategies and campaigns to optimise attendance at the Gallery, its exhibitions and programs. The Marketing team works closely with Business Development, so there may be opportunity to gain experience in this area. Tasks will vary depending on the current exhibition schedule, but may expose interns to media relations, the advertising process, direct marketing activities, strategic development, research and administrative tasks, and to both general marketing activities and project-specific tasks. Occasionally there is an opportunity to work with the media team, which handles all media enquiries for exhibitions, public programs and lectures.
Applicants for the Marketing Department need to have strong organisational skills, attention to detail, computer skills, strong interpersonal skills and flexibility. Current communications, marketing or tourism students will be given preference.
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Managed by the Art Gallery of New South Wales and situated in Surry Hills, the Brett Whiteley Studio was the workplace and home of Australian artist Brett Whiteley (1939-92).
The Studio is open to the public on weekends and to education groups on Thursdays and Fridays. Internships are available in the following categories:
- Assistant visitor service officers: assist on weekends with visitors, hosting in the Studio, assist changeover of drawing classes and general duties such as photocopying and maintenance of presentation
- Assistant administration officers: maintain the website and mailing lists and assist with preparing public programs
- Education assistants (Thursdays and Fridays): assist in preparation of classes at the Studio and answering telephone calls, assist with cleaning and packing up at end of class sessions, assist in public programs
Note: child protection policies and procedures apply to working in the Brett Whiteley Studio; security clearances may also be required.
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With more than 33,000 members, the Art Gallery Society of NSW is the largest organisation of arts supporters in Australia, and one of the largest in the world. The Society runs a very popular membership lounge and a vibrant program of events including lectures, concerts, workshops, parties and tours. The Society's monthly magazine, Look, presents news, previews and privileged glimpses behind the scenes of the Gallery. It has a readership of over 21,000.
Internships are available assisting in the day-to-day running of the various membership activities and services.
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