McDermott Intern for Contemporary Art

Description

Position: McDermott Intern for Contemporary Art 

Reports to: The Lupe Murchison Curator of Contemporary Art

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid holiday, personal and sick time; $500 for professional development

Schedule: Generally, Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch (with occasional weekends and evening hours for special events on & off-site); ability to work remotely 2 days per week following 90-day introductory period 

Internship Period: September 1, 2026 - May 28, 2027

Salary: $15/hour, 35 hours per week 

Deadline: March 16, 2026

Mission

The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive. 

The DMA will:

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate.
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art.
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity.

Scope of Internship  
The intern will research Contemporary Art subjects, assisting with exhibition preparation, acquisition proposals, and collection management, with an eye towards the collection’s strengths in postwar art of East Asia, the Americas, and the African diaspora, the work of emerging artists and time-based media. The intern will draft didactic texts for use in gallery and online, and compile documentation on works in the Museum’s permanent collection. The intern will support curatorial projects by attending interdepartmental meetings and working collaboratively with staff across the Museum as needed.

Duties & Responsibilities:
The Contemporary Department seeks an intern to aid in the implementation and development of upcoming exhibitions and collection gallery rotations. Intern projects could include research assistance for upcoming exhibitions and installations of time-based media, photography, and contemporary textiles. With the initial planning of the new permanent collection gallery for Contemporary Art as part of the future building project at the DMA, the intern will also conduct extensive research on the Contemporary Art collection to support that installation.

Internship Goals: 

• Learn art historical and object-based research skills, including the use of TMS.
• Learn the ability to work within a team and under a deadline.
• Gain experience with writing in a museum context, including exhibition didactic texts, labels, and acquisition proposals.
• Understand the museum exhibitions process from research to logistics to installation.
• Develop professional communication and interpersonal skills through collaboration with museum colleagues.
• Gain familiarity with the Dallas arts community through visits to galleries, area museums, local fairs, and artist studios.
• Ascertain professional goals and interests through the support of mentorship.

Requirements

Required Experience, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Completion of at least an undergraduate degree in art history or a related field prior to the start of the internship
• Demonstrated research and writing skills
• Ability to juggle multiple assignments
• Ability to work successfully within deadlines

Preferred Experience, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge about or interest in one or more of the following areas is desirable: postwar and contemporary art of East Asia, the Americas, and the African diaspora, the work of emerging artists and time-based media.
• Fluency in Japanese, Portuguese, or Spanish desired.

Internship Project: 

The intern will be responsible for defining their own capstone project in conversation with the supervisor depending on their interests that coincide with the current projects undertaken by the contemporary curators. Past interns have contributed to publications and collection rotations, driven website content, proposed acquisitions, and spearheaded new initiatives in data-collection.

Application Directions:

McDermott Internship Program applications must include all of the below items in order to be complete. Please ensure you have reviewed the list below closely and all files are included with your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and late materials will not be accepted. If you have any difficulty with the application process or the Paylocity system, please first reach out to internships@dma.org for assistance.

Upload and attach your resume, personal statement cover letter, and two letters of recommendation in your application form, as specified below. If your two references would prefer to submit their letters directly, please direct them to submit the letter of recommendation through the McDermott Internship Recommendation Form. All items must be received no later than March 16, 2026.

Please save the files with your last name and document type in the title: e.g. Smith_Cover Letter_Position Title_2026.

Resume or CV

Submit in application under Select Resume to Upload

Personal Statement Cover Letter

A detailed one-to-two-page cover letter explaining your interest in an art museum career. Include information regarding your personal learning expectations for the internship; any prior museum or art related experience; and any prior teaching experience, especially as it relates to the specific position.

Submit in application under Upload Cover Letter

Two Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic reference. Please list these individuals in the reference list of the application. Only two references are required in the application.

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files or Direct your references to upload through this link: 2026 DMA McDermott Internships: Letter of Recommendation Form   

Our Core Values

• Act with Integrity: We are honest and ethical.
• Build Inclusivity: We create spaces where everyone can feel like they belong.
• Communicate Respectfully: We listen intentionally and advocate for diverse perspectives.
• Embrace and Drive Change: We are innovative, creative, and solutions driven.
• Foster Connections: We collaborate around shared goals.
• Maintain Balance: We encourage ourselves and each other to reflect and recharge.
• Remain Curious: We pursue personal and professional learning.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.

Equity

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all.

Diversity

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity.

Inclusion

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture.

EOE

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.