Seattle Art Museum Teen Programs Internship

Applications Due Date: July 31, 2024

Position Start Date: September 16, 2024 (Estimated)

Position End Date: May 16, 2025 (Estimated)

TITLE: Teen Programs Intern

DEPARTMENT/LOCATION: Education

SUPPORTING STAFF: Museum Educator for Youth Programs    

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Teen Programs Intern is a member of the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) Education Department.

The core objective of the Teen Program Internship is to further racial equity and diversity objectives within SAM and in the broader professional field by offering a paid internship opportunity for candidates from historically underserved communities.

The opportunity for educational advancement is an important part of this position. The internship will provide the candidate with a wide range of museum and education experiences that may help to prepare the intern to pursue a career in education, art, museum, non-profit, or related fields. As a member of SAM’s internship program, this intern will be encouraged to identify professional development goals and propose projects of interest to their supervisor.

The Teen Programs Intern will be focused primarily on supporting the 2024-2025 Teen Arts Group (TAG) cohort and will be expected to collaborate with and support the supervisor with agenda planning and administrative work for TAG programming, such as workshops, Teen Night Out, etc. As a peer or former participant in TAG, the intern will be expected to serve as a role model and mentor for new members.

PAY RANGE: The hourly rate for this role is $19.97.

FSLA STATUS & COMPENSATION:

This intern will be hired as a temporary, non-exempt employee. Along with the above pay rate, this intern will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Paid sick time accrued at a rate of 0.0385 per hour worked, estimated at 13.75 hours total for a 36-week intern.
• SAM Savings & 403(b) Retirement Plan, with Roth option available.
• Fringe benefits including two guest passes to SAM, access to RIC Fitness Center, Tier III AAM membership, discounts for SAM memberships, SAM Shop, and MARKET, access to member rates for ticketed events at SAM, and a subsidized ORCA card.

EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT:

10 hours per week, for approximately 36 weeks. Start and end dates may be adjusted depending on intern needs and academic schedule.

Due to the hands-on nature of this internship, a majority of this position’s work will be on-site.      

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Working with their supervisors in the Education Department, the Teen Programs intern will further develop their skills in the planning, coordination, communication, and evaluation of a museum program. In addition, they will learn to create learning objectives for program participants, develop a communications and outreach plan for career development offerings, and design an evaluative instrument to collect feedback and identify opportunities for program improvement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Attend and support weekly TAG meetings (Thursday evenings Oct 2024-May 2025). Communicate with supervisor if conflict comes up.
• Work with supervisor to plan weekly agendas and prepare any necessary documents, supplies, artist contacts, field trip logistics, Zoom meetings, etc. in advance of meetings.
• Track TAG member attendance.
• Support teen, parent, partner, and staff communications.
• Support TAG efforts (ex. Teen Night Out, final project, etc.) by offering conceptual, planning, and logistical insight, including:
  • Development of learning objectives for TAG participants
  • Creation of an evaluation plan and participant survey
• Assist with general activities such as cleaning individual work area and shared work areas after use. Identify necessary supplies and work with supervisor to procure them.
• Support efforts furthering teens’ exposure to education or career pathways beyond high school.
• Assist in TAG interviews and advise on applicants, if applicable.
• Assist supervisor on other teen related programming as needed.
• Connect with other departments at SAM. This may include informational interviews, participating in department meetings, or attending museum events.
• Complete a 2 hour job shadow with frontline volunteers during open hours.
• Complete a one-page reflection, blog post, or interview about your internship experience.
• Attend enrichment sessions, informational interviews, and check-ins as available.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

1. Demonstrated interest in education, art, community programs, and/or museums.

2. Demonstrated interest in working with youth audiences, especially teens.

3. Ability to work efficiently and prioritize tasks.
4. Ability to work both independently on projects and as a team member for department priority tasks and group projects.
5. Ability to ask for help and accept supervision and evaluation of your work.
6. Ability to work with others professionally and tactfully, and to represent the Museum with a high level of integrity and professionalism.
7. Adhere to Museum policies and support management decisions in a positive, professional manner.
8. Proficiency in general computer use and in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.)
9. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

10. Familiarity with social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram strongly recommended but not required.

11. One year experience with SAM’s TAG program is strongly recommended but not required.

EDUCATION

Applicants are not required to have previous professional or museum experience. Competitive applicants will demonstrate a commitment to the arts andstrong interest in working with teen audiences.

Current college students or recent graduates of an undergraduate program are preferred. At minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent is required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Exposure: Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Work is occasionally performed at other indoor and outdoor sites. 

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED FOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Stationary Work:  Approximately 80% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 20%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required when assisting at museum events.

Communication:  Clear and effective communication with volunteers, donors, members, the public, and co-workers is necessary.

Moving:  The ability to move up to twenty pounds on occasion is necessary for moving files, equipment, and supplies. Must be able to regularly position self to access files.

Office Work:  Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.

OTHER EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Centering equity, diversity, and inclusion as an organization, and as individuals, Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, caste, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, political ideology, gender identity or expression, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status, use of Section 8 certificate, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other class protected by federal, state or local laws.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

Please be aware that SAM does not sponsor work or study visas for interns at this time.

APPLICATION PROCESS (APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 31 AT 5 PM)

Applications are only accepted via the online form at https://seattleartmuseum.applytojob.com/apply.

Application materials in PDF format may also be sent to [email protected].

Each application should include:

• Application Form (completed online)
• A Cover Letter of no more than 500 words detailing:
• How your background, interests, or artistic/professional experiences inform your perspective on connecting with teen audiences.
• What you hope to gain from this experience and how it might enhance your education and career plans.
• How you consider yourself as meeting the specific criteria set out in the job description for this internship.
• Resume, which describes experience you believe is relevant to this internship and your professional goals. This may include professional experience, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, community service, academic projects, hobbies, and more.
• At least one Letter of Recommendation, ideally from a teacher, supervisor, or mentor. References may be emailed directly to [email protected], with the applicant name noted in the Subject line.

For additional information or to request reasonable accommodations for the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (206) 654-3188 or [email protected].