Description

The Carnegie Museum of Art Conservation Department is pleased to offer (2) third- or fourth-year graduate internships for the academic year of 2026-2027 focusing either on Objects/Preventive Conservation or Paintings Conservation. Interns will work under the supervision of the Senior Manager of Conservation and Paintings Conservator and undertake research and treatment projects related to their area of specialization. The intern will participate in regular laboratory activities, written and photographic documentation and assessment of three-dimensional objects and paintings, and ongoing research activities. Interns will be encouraged to develop or assist with a research project aimed at professional presentation, poster, or publication. 

Founded in 1895, Carnegie Museum of Art is the first museum in the United States dedicated to the collection and exhibition of contemporary art. The collection includes a wide range of object types (sculptures, architecture, installation art, time-based media) and materials (wood, metal, glass, ceramics, painted objects, plastics, plaster, furniture). The intern will work closely with their supervisor to tailor their internship experience to help achieve the intern’s professional goals (for example, to fill in materials, technique, or knowledge gaps; to cultivate skills in research or publishing; or to develop comfort with presentation, social media, and public outreach). Given the interdisciplinary nature of modern and contemporary art conservation and research, the graduate intern will be encouraged to collaborate with colleagues at CMOA (registrars, curators, art handlers, and artists) and with conservation, science, collections, and research specialists within CMP’s umbrella museums (AWM, CMNH, CSC) and/or neighboring academic institutions. Internship start and end dates may be flexible depending on the applicant’s academic program requirements. The museum will provide each successful candidate with a stipend of $19,200. 

Requirements

Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled in a recognized graduate art conservation training program studying either Objects/Preventive Conservation or Paintings Conservation. Successful candidates must: have a strong understanding of conservation principles and practices; demonstrate the ability to examine, propose, and execute conservation treatments based on consideration of an object’s aesthetic, historic, cultural, scientific and/or religious values; the ability to perform thorough written and photographic documentation of all examinations, analytical reports, and treatments with proficiency in English; and, preferably, possess familiarity in digital-born documentation methods and database systems. 

Application
Applicants should submit a current resume/CV and brief cover letter identifying their experience and professional interests along with a treatment report or link to an online portfolio to conservation@carnegieart.org.  Applications for Objects/Preventive Conservation internship should be addressed to Mary Wilcop, Senior Manager of Conservation. Applications for Paintings Conservation internship should be addressed to Ana Alba, Paintings Conservator.  Professional references may be requested at a later date. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until January 12th, 2026.