The Alliance of HBCU Museums and Galleries is partnering with the University of Delaware and five host sites -the Brooklyn Museum, Fisk University Galleries, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, and Yale University Museums & Galleries- to provide a six-week internship in practical conservation internship (SIP-C) during summer of 2023.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Ten current students or recent graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities or Minority Serving Institutions will be selected for this six-week program of study. The first two weeks will be an overview and an introduction to conservation at the Winterthur Museum near Wilmington, Delaware. The remaining four weeks will be an internship with two students remaining in Winterthur and two students interning at each of the other four host sites. Students will return to Winterthur in the final days of the program to present their work to their peers and supervisors. The internships will provide a deep and rewarding hands-on conservation experience.

The program will provide the following:

• Travel to and from Winterthur and each host site.
• Housing at Winterthur for weeks one and two.
• Housing at the internship site for the four-week internship.
• Stipend of $3,900 per student to cover meals and incidentals during the internship period.

PROGRAM GOALS

• Concretely provide students with a glimpse into the daily activities of an art conservator
• Emphasize the viability of art conservation as a career choice in a well-mentored and safe environment
• Underscore the importance of and the survival of African American material culture
• Provide a fuller understanding of the fundamental concepts of technical art history
• Familiarize students with cultural heritage conservation best practices and a range of collections
• Provide students with practical, hands-on training in the examination, documentation, stabilization, treatment, and preventive care of cultural heritage
• Visit local cultural heritage sites and networking with local cultural heritage professionals
• Establish post-internship opportunities for continued professional engagement and mentoring as students return to their respective HBCU campuses.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We welcome applications from current students or recent graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions, who have previously participated in an introductory conservation program of any length and wish to further their career in conservation. Additionally, participants must be able to commit to all sessions.

IMPORTANT DATES

Thank you to our generous sponsor, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.