Council Archive Internship

NOTE: Applications submitted through Handshake will NOT be considered.

Desired Majors and Areas of Study: Oral History, Public History, Library Science, Archival Management, Arts Management, Museum Studies, American Studies

The Office of the Director is responsible for guiding the museum’s operation and mission. In coordination with the NMAAHC staff and Council, the Office of the Director oversees the preservation, documentation, display, and dissemination of African American history and culture to a diverse and global audience.

The mission of the NMAAHC Oral History Initiative is to document, preserve, and interpret African American stories through the art and practice of oral history. We develop oral history projects that support the research and exhibition goals of our curators. Additionally, we seek to make our collection accessible to scholars and to the public via programming, exhibitions, and online content.

The Founding Council Oral History project was started to collect the oral histories of individuals who joined the Council before the Museum opened its doors to the public in 2016.  The project’s intention is to capture and preserve the stories of the leaders who were instrumental in the creation of the NMAAHC. This exemplary group of dynamic and influential corporate, civic, and philanthropic leaders witnessed and shaped the museum’s journey. Their intimate perspective of the museum’s history is unique: from the early petitions for its creation to their support for the site selection process, to the groundbreaking fundraising work and historic grand opening celebrations.

The Council Archive Intern will assist in preparing for the NMAAHC Founding Council Oral History Project, primary components of this opportunity include supporting the archiving of Council meeting records, preparing background research, and gaining deeper knowledge and experience in archival and oral history work. This internship is designed to introduce professional oral history work in a museum setting, and the intern will develop their verbal, written, and professional skills. Each assigned duty will help with the development of skills needed to succeed in a museum setting. The coordinator of the Oral History initiative will mentor the intern maintaining records, conducting background research for interviews, completing required documentation. The Council Archive Intern will also be able to observe how oral history projects are carried out from conception to implementation, including research, developing questions, contacting interviewees, gathering metadata, and writing field notes and interview descriptions.

Duties Include (but are not limited to):

• Attend staff meetings and mandatory training
• Participate in one-on-one informational interviews with select SI staff and leadership
• Conduct background research on subjects related to interviews
• Collecting oral history documentation forms
• Writing summary of interview
• Reformat, review, and proofread transcripts
• Preparing background research
• Writing justifications for Collections Committee
• Collecting oral history documentation forms
• Writing summary of interviews
• Observing oral history interviews
• Supporting planning and implementation of public program