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Frances Blakemore & Griffith Way Intern, Japanese & Korean Art

Applications are closed

  • Internship
    Full-time
    Placement Program
  • Research & Development
    Creative Arts & Fashion
  • Seattle

Requirements

  • For Master’s and PhD students enrolled at University of Washington
  • Fields of study include East Asian art and Chinese, Japanese, or Korean art history
  • Graduate students currently enrolled at University of Washington in the Art History or Henry M. Jackson School’s Asian Studies departments are preferred.
  • Students enrolled in other UW programs will also be considered, including those skilled in East Asian languages or experienced with the study of material culture.
  • Strong knowledge of Japanese or Korean art and art history is required.
  • Ability to accurately classify, describe, and record information about a work of art to a high level of detail.
  • Some familiarity with descriptive cataloging best practices or museum collections databases is preferred, but not required. Training with SAM’s collection management system (TMS) will be provided.
  • Knowledge of Japanese or Korean language is preferred. Alternative skills include proficiency in Classical Japanese or Chinese, experience with seal scripts, or experience translating from Classical Chinese, Kanbun, or Classical Japanese into English.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in general computer use, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.
  • Ability to ask for help and accept supervision and evaluation of your work.
  • Ability to work with others professionally and tactfully.
  • Ability to adhere to museum policies and support management decisions in a positive, professional manner.
  • All candidates are required to be active students at University of Washington during the full term of their internship, and must have completed at least two art history classes in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean art prior to applying.

Responsibilities

  • Accurately classify, describe, and catalog a selection Japanese or Korean art objects from SAAM’s permanent collection, following provided standards.
  • Research provenance, exhibition history, and related data for individual art objects. This may include accessing internal object files or translating artist names, labels, and seals from physical objects.
  • Review established standards for descriptive cataloging and apply those standards to new records in SAM’s collections management database (TMS).
  • Complete a one-page reflection, blog post, or interview about your internship experience.
  • Attend Enrichment Sessions, informational interviews, and check-ins as available.

FAQs

What is the application deadline for the Frances Blakemore & Griffith Way Internship?

The application deadline is December 16, 2024.

Who is eligible to apply for this internship?

The internship is open to Master’s and PhD students enrolled at the University of Washington, with a preference for those in the Art History or Asian Studies departments who have completed at least two art history classes in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean art.

What is the estimated stipend for the internship?

Interns will receive a quarterly stipend estimated at $2,863, totaling around $8,589 for the duration of the internship.

How many hours per week is the internship?

The internship requires a commitment of 20 hours per week for 12 weeks during the Spring 2025 Academic Quarter.

What are the main responsibilities of the intern?

The intern will focus on cataloging Japanese and Korean art collections, researching provenance and exhibition history, applying cataloging standards, and completing a reflection or blog post about their experience.

Do I need prior experience with museum collections or databases to apply?

No prior experience with museum collections or databases is required, though familiarity with descriptive cataloging best practices is preferred.

Is knowledge of Japanese or Korean language required for the internship?

A strong knowledge of Japanese or Korean art history is required, and knowledge of the respective languages is preferred but not mandatory.

Are letters of recommendation required for the application?

No, letters of recommendation are not required, but they are welcome.

How do I submit my application?

Applications can be submitted online through the SAM Careers page or by email to internships@seattleartmuseum.org.

What should be included in the personal statement for the application?

The personal statement should explain your reasons for applying, what you feel you can contribute to the department, and what you hope to gain from the experience.

One great museum. Three awesome locations.

Fashion & Arts
Industry
201-500
Employees
1933
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

For over 75 years, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) has been a leading visual arts institution in the Pacific Northwest. Through its three locations — the Seattle Art Museum in downtown Seattle, the Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the Seattle waterfront — SAM connects art to life through special exhibitions, educational programs, and installations drawn from its collection of approximately 25,000 objects from more than 140 cultures.

Culture & Values

  • CREATIVITY

    We bring art into people’s lives and help them understand its unique power to inspire creative thinking, which is crucial to understanding and solving our world’s complex problems.

  • EXCELLENCE

    We build and create collections, exhibitions, and public programs of the highest quality and excellence.

  • EQUITY

    We are responsive to cultural communities and experiences, and we think critically about the role art plays in empowering social justice and structural change to promote equity in our society. We are dedicated to racial equity in all that we do.

  • ENGAGEMENT

    We engage our audiences through dialogue that is mutually beneficial, inclusive, and enlightening in a spirit of mutual respect.

  • DIVERSITY

    We invite and respect many viewpoints and experiences, as we develop and sustain a diverse staff, board, and audience, and showcase art from the world’s diverse cultures.

  • ACCESSIBILITY

    We work to lower economic and physical barriers as well as barriers to understanding, so that art is accessible to everyone. We recognize the importance of excellent customer service in making art accessible to all.

  • STEWARDSHIP

    We are transparent and careful stewards of resources, including collections, staff, volunteers, facilities, investments, and institutional records. We share SAM’s collection, our greatest resource, and legacy to the future, with the public through scholarship and interpretation, creative installation, conservation, and programming.