Employment Opportunities
Since its origin in 1934, the Weisman Art Museum (WAM) has been a teaching museum for the University of Minnesota. Today, education remains central to the museum’s mission to make the arts accessible – intellectually, emotionally, and physically – to the University and public communities. When you work at the Weisman, you’re part of a dynamic team of professionals, situated on a world-class university campus. WAM is home to a vast collection of art and critically acclaimed exhibitions, thoughtful programs, and engaging visitor experiences for both the campus and wider community. Working at the Weisman puts a wealth of professional opportunities and training at your fingertips, including access to the benefits and resources of a major university campus. All open positions are listed on the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources website.
Exhibitions Registrar
The Exhibition Registrar plays a meaningful role in the production and documentation of exhibitions at the Weisman Art Museum. The position supervises a preparator staff of two and collaborates with multiple departments on the development and implementation of exhibitions. This position is also responsible for maintaining documentation of exhibitions and incoming loans, issuing and obtaining legal documentation, and handling insurance and shipping logistics.
Salary range: $55K – 60K, depending on experience
Application Deadline: March 31, 2023
To read the full job description and qualifications, visit the UMN job board (job ID: 354336).
Art Museum Preparator
The Preparator plays a key role in mounting exhibitions and caring for the museum’s permanent collection. Responsibilities include: preparing artwork for display and travel, packing, transporting, installing, deinstalling, and housing objects within the Museum’s collection and on loan. The Preparator is part of the Registration Department reporting to the Exhibition Coordinator and Registrar; this role works collaboratively with registrars, curators, and security and facilities colleagues.
Compensation: Starting at $20/hour – Labor Represented
Application Deadline: April 11, 2023
To read the full job description and qualifications, visit the UMN job board (job ID:354646).
UMN Student Employment Opportunities
The museum employs students in the WAM Shop and in visitor services, events, custodial, and other departments. In short, students really run the place. All open positions are listed on the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources website.
Learn more about current student openings on the student job openings page >>
Internships
Student interns work on focused projects in a variety of departments. Students interested in unpaid internships may submit an application at any time or check back for open positions below. New placements, when available, occur at the beginning of fall and spring semester and during the summer. Internships are available for academic credit. Interested? Tell us about yourself >>
Weisman Art Museum AAMD Intern
Internship Period: May 2023-July 2023
Reports to: Katie Covey, Director of Public Programming & Student Engagement
Hours Per Week: 20 hrs/week
Stipend: $6,720
Travel Stipend: $3,000
Application Deadline: April 15, 2023
Internship Description:
The AAMD intern is a 12-week appointment that provides the opportunity to gain firsthand experience and professional training in museum community and public engagement work. The focus of the internship will be investigating efforts towards truth telling and reconciliation in museums, cities, and universities; and will support the development of new programs and related activities at Weisman.
The AAMD Intern will be a critically engaged member of the Weisman Department of Public Engagement, and will gain workplace skills through a hands-on, real world project. The internship will be tailored to support professional growth, and will provide a space for critical dialogue that challenges the role and function of museums today.
Specific tasks include: attend listening sessions with community advisors and produce written reports and analysis; conduct interviews; attend meetings with cross-departmental museum staff; produce oral reports to museum staff for internal meetings; and research, develop, and publish two blog posts related to their findings on the museum’s digital StoryMaps platform and website.
Pending availability, the intern will attend the 2023 AAM Annual meeting in Denver, Colorado with staff advisor, as well as another professional development opportunity to be determined.
Internship Outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to question the role of museums in society and think critically and creatively to evaluate and improve that role;
- Demonstrated research skills that focus on community engagement in museums;
- Demonstrated understanding of the nature of museum public programming and community engagement, deepening their understanding of culturally specific approaches and practices;
Qualifications
Current undergraduate Native American students at any accredited college or university are eligible to apply. Seeking applicants with interest in gaining professional museum experience and enhancing their capacity for contributing to the expanding field of museum public practice. Must have completed freshman year of college by program start date.
Compensation
Intern will be paid on a bi-weekly basis through UMN payroll. Intern may be able to receive funding or credit through their university or other means, it is the intern’s responsibility to obtain and complete any relevant materials. Internship schedules are flexible and can be planned around individual school and work schedules as necessary.
How to Apply
A complete application includes cover letter, resume, and two references. Please send all materials to Katie Covey Spanier at covey013@umn.edu. Deadline for application is April 15, 2023.
Membership
Our mission is to create engaging exhibitions and programs that spark discovery, critical thinking, and transformation, both at the University and throughout the Twin Cities. Everyone is welcome to join us in this mission, and to have some fun while they’re at it! That’s why we recently transitioned to a free membership model!