McDermott Intern for Asian Art

Job Type: Location Type: Not Specified

 

Job Type

Part-time, Internship

Description

Position: McDermott Intern for Asian Art

Reports to: The Cecil and Ida Green Curator of Asian Art

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly

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

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch; 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

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 Position:

Under the guidance of the Curator of Asian Art, the intern will assist in the care and maintenance of the Dallas Museum of Art’s Asian art collection and support ongoing research, documentation, and exhibition of the collection. They will conduct research and writing in support of the collection area’s goals, which may include provenance, acquisition proposals, upcoming exhibitions, and/or future rotations of Asian art. The intern will have the opportunity to also work on projects that could include contributing in-gallery texts, presenting a tour, docent training, and creating web content.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support ongoing research and documentation of the Dallas Museum of Art’s Asian art collection, including but not limited to objects from East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and West Asia.
• Conduct primary and secondary source research utilizing a multitude of resources, including object files and the Museum’s Mayer Library.
• Conduct research and writing in support of the Asian art collection area’s goals, which may also include for possible acquisitions, upcoming exhibitions, and/or future rotations.
• Assist with augmenting existing documentation concerning history of ownership, exhibition history, and publication references for objects in the Asian art collection.
• Attend regular one-on-one, departmental, interdepartmental team meetings as needed and provide weekly status updates about ongoing research and project progress.
• Support other curatorial tasks under the supervision of the curator as needed.

Internship Goals:

• Expand art historical object-based research skills, particularly in Asian art.
• Learn best curatorial practices for basic provenance research and compilation skills.
• Gain experience with writing in a museum context.
• Ascertain professional goals and interests through the support of mentorship.
• Develop professional communication and interpersonal skills through collaboration with Museum colleagues.
• McDermott Internship: Understand the roles and functions of different staff within the Museum as well as the relationship between the departments and how they all function together to comprise the organization.

Internship Project:

The intern will assist in the care and maintenance of the Dallas Museum of Art’s Asian art collection and support ongoing research, documentation, and exhibition of the collection. They will vet and augment the existing documentation of ownership, exhibition history, and publication references for objects in the Asian art collection and create and/or update the Museum’s Asian art physical and digital object files. They will conduct research and writing in support of the collection area’s goals, which may include acquisition proposals, and supporting upcoming exhibitions and/or future rotations of Japanese, Himalayan and Indian art. The intern will have the opportunity to also work on projects that could include contributing gallery texts, presenting a tour, docent training, and creating web content.

Requirements

Education, Experience, and Certification:

• Completion of coursework or background in Asian art history encouraged; graduate work encouraged.
• Reading proficiency in an Asian language encouraged.

Key Qualifications:

• Demonstrated research and writing skills.
• Ability to juggle multiple assignments.
• Ability to work successfully within deadlines.

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, writing sample, 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 experience; and any art and art history related experience, especially as it relates to the specific position.

Submit in application under Upload Cover Letter

Writing Sample

An excerpt with a minimum of two pages (maximum five) that provides an example of your writing within an academic context.

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files

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.