Job Description:

Position Title: 2026 Archives Intern: Summer

Position Type: Part-Time

Classification: Non-Exempt

Department: Library and Archives

Reports to: Director of Research, Scholarship, and Library

About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where the community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

Position Summary:

The Archives team will be hiring two Archives Interns this summer. Please note that only one of these positions will include housing; the second role is intended for local students.

The Archives Intern will assist with the arrangement, digitization, and description of archival collections, gaining hands-on experience within an art museum setting. Under the guidance of the Director of Library and Archives and the Archives Fellow, the Intern will support processing the Dr. Francis V. O’Connor Research Collection, which includes artist files, manuscripts, and materials related to O’Connor’s scholarship on Jackson Pollock and artists of the Federal Art Project within the Works Progress Administration.

The ideal candidate is passionate about archives, art history, American history, and/or digital innovation, and demonstrates a willingness to learn, take initiative, problem-solve, and collaborate effectively. Interns that do not submit a resume AND cover letter will not be considered for this opportunity.  Please answer the following questions in your cover letter when submitting your application. 

What draws you to archival work, and how have your academic, personal, or professional experiences shaped your interest in preserving and interpreting historical materials?

Describe a time when you had to organize, analyze, or make sense of a large amount of information. What approach did you take, and what did you learn?

This internship offers hands-on experience across physical and digital workflows. What skills or knowledge areas are you hoping to strengthen during your time in the archives?

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Archives Intern will actively participate and perform duties in the following functional areas: 

• Assist Library and Archives staff with the assessment, arrangement, and stabilization of physical records by creating inventories, conducting research, and rehousing materials 

• Digitize archival records; name, describe, and organize digital files 

• Assist in the creation of archival database records and collection finding aids 

• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications:

• Academic background in library or information science, art history, or a related field

• Superior oral and written communication skills

• Dependable and punctual

• Knowledge of Microsoft apps is required; familiarity with archival databases (the museum uses ArchivEra) and digitization equipment/software is a plus

• A background check is required

• Must maintain confidentiality of all non-public museum information

• Possible course credit can be negotiated with Intern’s departmental supervisor

Timeline: 

Intern selected by: March 1st

Schedule: 

Start Date: June 1, 2026 

End Date: July 24, 2026 

Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor. Interns are permitted to work up to 40 hours a week. 

To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript. 

Compensation: 

• Graduate Interns: $14.00

To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s compensation, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript. 

Housing

Housing for internship positions is contingent upon available funding and is not guaranteed. If housing is included for a specific internship, it will be clearly stated in the position description. Any housing or relocation assistance provided is considered taxable income and will appear on the intern’s Form W-2.

When housing is available, priority is given to students whose permanent residence is located outside a three-hour radius (approximately 150 miles) of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art or the Momentary.

The applicant selected for this position will receive an $800 relocation allowance, issued 3–5 business days after completing the first week of the internship program. All relocation assistance and housing support are considered taxable income and will be reflected on the following year’s W-2.

Application Materials: Applicants that do not submit a resume AND cover letter will not be considered for this opportunity.  Please answer the following questions in your cover letter when submitting your application. 

What draws you to archival work, and how have your academic, personal, or professional experiences shaped your interest in preserving and interpreting historical materials?

Describe a time when you had to organize, analyze, or make sense of a large amount of information. What approach did you take, and what did you learn?

This internship offers hands-on experience across physical and digital workflows. What skills or knowledge areas are you hoping to strengthen during your time in the archives?

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands:  In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

• Work environment:  Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. The noise level in the museum work environment is usually low to moderate.

If the intern’s personal equipment is used, the museum accepts no liability for any damage caused to said equipment while being used for museum purposes, nor loss or corruption of electronic files on devices.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.