Pre-program Summer Internship in Preventive Conservation

Job Description

Job Description

Project Overview: The conservation department of the Cleveland Museum of Art welcomes applications for a preprogram 6-8 week summer internship in Preventive Conservation for 2026. The intern will join a collaborative and convivial team in caring for, studying, and treating objects from the Museum’s encyclopedic collection. The CMA maintains a full schedule of loans, rotations, and exhibitions, with associated assessment, documentation, and treatment needs. The Conservation department is also committed to ongoing research and investigation of objects in the collection. The Conservation department prioritizes participation in education and outreach programs and ensures that the intern will have the chance to present their work to public audiences and share conservation activities on social media.

Projects underway in the lab during summer 2026 may include: exhibition maintenance for Martin Puryear: Nexus; maintenance of three dimensional artworks on display in the galleries; buffering and scavenger material preparation for exhibitions; acting as part of the museum climate management team; participation in the museum’s Integrated Pest Management program; documentation of incoming and outgoing loan objects; and potential collaborations with the objects conservation team on cleaning and light treatment of museum objects. Regular summer activities also include caring for the museum’s group of outdoor sculptures and visits to colleagues at local historic sites and conservation practices in the Cleveland area. Necessary training in art handling, conservation methods, use of database and other conservation protocols will be provided during the internship.

The Institution:

The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes nearly 45,000 objects and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. A major renovation and expansion project completed in 2014 has transformed the museum into a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, performing arts and art education. One of the top comprehensive art museums in the nation and free of charge to all, the Cleveland Museum of Art is located in the University Circle neighborhood. The Museum's conservation department currently employs 14 full-time staff members, including conservators in paper, Asian paintings, textiles, paintings, and objects, as well as technicians and a chief conservator. The department regularly hosts pre-program conservation interns, third-year interns, and graduate fellows. The significant resources of the Cleveland Museum of Art, including its outstanding library and archives, and nearby Case Western Reserve University with its innovative maker space, Think[box], contribute to a unique internship opportunity.

Requirements: This pre-program internship is intended for a candidate with demonstrated interest in professional work as an art conservator. Candidates who are current applicants or interested in applying to an art conservation graduate training program are preferred. The candidate must be eligible to legally work in the US.

Salary and Hours: Undergraduate-level interns are paid at $16 per hour and expected to work 35 hours per week. Hours are flexible between 8:30 am – 5 pm. This internship also includes a $4000 stipend for travel, relocation and housing expenses.

Application Procedure: Please apply online at https://www.clevelandart.org/internships

Application materials must be received by February 9th. For consideration, please submit the following materials in English. NOTE: please submit all materials in PDF format.

• A letter stating your interests and intent in applying for the internship, including description(s) of previous conservation experience and internships
• Curriculum vitae
• Link to online portfolio if available