The David and Roberta Logie Department of Fashion, Textiles, and Jewelry (FTJ), a foundational collection at the MFA and one of the first of its kind in the country, houses a global collection of 55,000 artworks including metalwork, dress, and interior design. The museum’s world-class holdings are unique in connecting historic and the current-day dress and furnishings, with a breadth of materials covering Ancient Andean and Egyptian weavings to contemporary hi-tech garments and art jewelry. Collaborating across the institution, curators in the department generate innovative and inclusive special exhibitions, envision thought-provoking rotations and interventions throughout the permanent galleries, advance research and publish on the collections, and support visiting students and scholars to further cutting-edge research relevant to the wider community.

As part of a larger initiative to evaluate medieval holdings in the MFA’s collection in preparation for a permanent gallery reinstallation project, the graduate intern will assist in assessing late antique and medieval textiles and jewelry, including conducting original research and honing skills in object-focused study. Reporting to the department Chair, the intern will advance collections assessment of the MFA’s world-class holdings, including updating object records, assisting with object photography for late antique and medieval (and related) textiles, and participating in larger conversations around current topics in medieval art history. The department is committed to working with the intern to identify concrete skills specific to their career goals, which might include formulating a conference or publication abstract from their research in the MFA’s collections.

This internship offers an opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience within the field while building skills for future academic careers and professional endeavors in museums and cultural institutions. In addition to the research outlined above, the intern will gain insight into the day-to-day workings of a curatorial department both internally and through its collaborations with related departments across the museum. The intern will also have the opportunity to actively participate in the MFA’s “Museum Pathways and Practices” course, which provides all MFA interns with a broad overview of museum work.

Ideal candidates must be able to commit to work onsite 20 hours weekly, mostly between 9am-5pm Monday-Friday between Sept 11 – Dec 11. Graduate interns are required to attend the following professional development sessions during the semester: Orientation on Sept 11, Meet the Leadership Team (date to be announced at orientation), and Final Presentations on Dec 4. They are welcome to attend any other sessions that appeal to them.