Traveling Exhibits Props & Costumes Intern

Description

Minnesota Children’s Museum’s mission is sparking children’s learning through play. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion is integral to fulfilling our mission. As a community resource for thousands of families, Minnesota Children’s Museum is dedicated to providing children with a fun, hands-on and stimulating environment to explore and discover.  

The Traveling Exhibits Props and Costume Intern assists the traveling exhibit team in constructing, maintaining, cleaning, and repairing the many costumes and props used by children in our traveling exhibit portfolio. Each of our traveling exhibits include costumes for dramatic play, as well as thousands of props that need repair and maintenance. Intern duties include but are not limited to building replacement props, small hand sewing repairs, and other prop maintenance tasks. Projects vary depending on the project workflow for our department, but examples of past projects include producing large numbers of backup duplicates of costumes as well as cutting, sanding, and finishing wooden pieces for games and activities in our many traveling exhibits. Specific assignments will vary based on the intern’s skill and experience level. This “behind-the-scenes” position rarely, but occasionally, interacts with our visitors directly. 

PAY: $16.37 per hour plus free parking or bus pass 

SCHEDULE: Requires 120 hours during the internship session (Feb - May 2026; 10-12 hours per week). All hours will be completed on-site. 

MAJOR JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES 

The exact duties and projects will be determined by mutual agreement of the intern and museum staff. All duties will be carried out with the direction and supervision of the Traveling Exhibits department.  

• Repair and maintain existing costumes and props 
• Assist with fabrication of traveling exhibit props 
• Sew new costumes and props from existing patterns 
• Take inventory and clean incoming props 
• Other duties as assigned 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• Knowledge or experience with fabrication and power tools (drills, table saw, jig saw, etc.). 
• Knowledge and experience with machine sewing and hand sewing   
• Ability to lift 50lbs 

IDEAL CANDIDATE 

• Ability to organize time and work independently, follow directions and complete tasks in an effective manner. 
• Ability to concentrate in a busy work environment.  
• Skill in coordinating tasks and projects. 
• Thrives working within a team environment. 
• Previous coursework/experience in props, woodworking, casting and mold making, sewing, or pattern drafting is a plus. 
• Knowledge or experience with universal design principles is a plus. 
• Knowledge or experience with painting is a plus. 
• Pictures, examples, and in-progress documentation are not required, but are highly encouraged. 

TRAINING PROVIDED 

• Background on the Traveling Exhibit industry 
• Overview of TE logistics and loose part systems 

ABOUT MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 

Located in downtown St. Paul, MN, we employ 55 full-time and 55 part-time employees and engages variety of volunteers and interns. The workplace values that guide how we work together are: Play, Include, Grow, Serve, and Strive. 

We are dedicated to growing a diverse and culturally competent team of highly engaged staff and volunteers to reflect and equitably serve the vibrant community around us. We embrace differences in age, ability, color, ethnicity, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation. We strongly encourage the application of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to: Black, Indigenous, and people of color; immigrants and refugees; LBGTQIA individuals; people with disabilities; religious minorities; and the elderly. 

MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM SAFE PLAN?  

Minnesota Children’s Museum is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees and volunteers. We have developed the SAFE Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Every leader, manager, employee and volunteer are responsible for implementing this plan. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our workplace, and that requires full cooperation. 

The museum believes COVID vaccinations are a vital tool in protecting yourself and others. We do not mandate a vaccination at this time and encourage our staff to take preventative steps to slow the spread of COVID by staying home when you are sick, testing when sick or exposed, and masking when sick or exposed.  
 

Minnesota Children’s Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse work environment. 

Applications accepted until the position is filled. Examples of work or link to a portfolio of work is a plus. Submit online application, resume, and cover letter at www.mcm.org/jobs.