Provenance Pathways Exploration Intern

Provenance Pathways Internship

The Pathways Exploration Internship Program (PEI) runs from May 21^st - August 8^th, 2025. This program, for current college students and early career professionals (max. 2 years post-grad), provides paid exploratory opportunities for individuals who are considered historically underrepresented in arts and cultural fields. Although these internships are designed for students from backgrounds that have been historically excluded from careers in museums and the arts, the Denver Art Museum welcomes applications from all eligible candidates, regardless of background. The intention of this program is not to provide a career pathway specifically within the Denver Art Museum, rather to support and understand the different career pathways within a museum while developing skills necessary to pursue a career in an arts and cultural field.

A commitment of 32-40 hours per week over the course of 12 weeks is requested; hours are relatively flexible between 8am - 6pm, Monday-Friday. This time is divided into day-to-day department work, participation in PEI activities (professional development, check-ins, team building opportunities, etc.), and an independent project that will culminate into a presentation at the end of the summer. While this is a paid position, credit may be available through your academic program.

** If course credit may be available through your institution. Please contact your institution directly for eligibility. **

This position contributes to the programs and initiatives of the Provenance Department. This position will fulfill critical need for provenance research into parts of DAM's 70,000 object collection, assessing certain objects for red flag risks, developing public provenance statements that includes research into publication and exhibition history and assist in getting more of the collection publicly on-line - a high priority for the Department and the Museum.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research, fact check, and document provenance (history of ownership), publication and exhibition history on selected areas of DAMs encyclopedic collection.
• Record and document research and prepare a public provenance statement by inputting research and statements on the database, arrange for photography (if required), and post on the on- line collection.
• Conduct research on dealer and collector histories.
• Provide research support for Provenance Department staff and other curatorial department provenance research needs, or public inquiries as requested.
• Research may include artworks with: Nazi-era ownership gaps; colonial era considerations, antiquities and archaeological material with incomplete documentation; works that may be covered under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; and works associated with red flag dealers, collectors, and any other relevant legal, federal law or bi-lateral agreements and professional guideline considerations.
• Research sources will include the artwork itself, DAM's collections database, object hard files, curatorial e-files, correspondence files, institutional archives, library, information from external sources including the internet, other institutional or government archives, Ancestry.com, etc.
• Work will require correspondence with galleries, auction houses, museums, libraries, and archives.
• Work in the Museum's file rooms and library will require intern to use ladders and step stools to access information and will require intern to pull and reshelve files, scan files, and file information in hard files and e-files.
• Participate in all PEI related events, including, but not limited to, professional development opportunities, panels, EDI training, team building events, group check-ins, and department presentations.
• Contribute to an individual project that encompasses the goals and objectives of your department as well as highlights your specific interests in the museum field.
• Present your individual project at the end of the internship.

Job Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree or a recent graduate (max. 2 years post-grad.)
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Positive attitude and willingness to participate in group activities.
• Ability to contribute to several projects at once.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Strong research skills.
• Strong attention to detail.

What you will learn from us

• Introductory skills for a career pathway in an arts and cultural organization.
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training.
• Cross-departmental collaboration.
• Networking Opportunities.

This internship will provide the candidate with experience in current provenance research issues at museums with world culture collections, teach location and sources for current provenance resources, how to incorporate research methodology and documentation into practice, assess red flags and risks during research and provide exposure to cultural patrimony concerns. Because provenance research informs nearly every curatorial and collecting area and introduces rigorous research methodology and windows into legal, ethical and cultural patrimony concerns, this experience will benefit future careers in museums, academia, auction houses, galleries, law and law enforcement, and even State department or positions in national or international cultural agencies.

Compensation: $19.00/hour.

Benefits: A free RTD Eco Pass. A free DAM Family Membership. 4 hours personal plus Colorado HFWA paid sick leave. Employee Assistance Program. Subscription to Headspace. This position is based at the Denver Art Museum, which only has pay to park options.

We know that searching for a job can be stressful so we would like to give you an overview of the process to manage expectations. This role will require an interview with the hiring panelthat will be heldvirtually. The position will close on February 14, 2025.

DENVER ART MUSEUM:

As an institution, we believe the Denver Art Museum is both a platform for and an amplifier of the voices of people of all races. We acknowledge that Black lives matter and communities of color - Latinx, Indigenous, Black, and others - have been underrepresented in art museums over decades, both internally and externally. We are committed to elevating all voices, artworks and perspectives and strive to support racial equity inside and out.

We prohibit discrimination against any person or organization based on age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, political service or affiliation, genetic information, or disability, as well as any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

We strive to provide a professional and positive work environment for our employees. The Museum expressly prohibits any form of employee harassment on the basis of age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, political service or affiliation, genetic information, disability or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. Actions based on these or any legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated.

We encourage the freedom of gender expression and/or gender presentation. As an institution, we do not create barriers that may prevent any employee from expressing behaviors, mannerisms, interests, and appearances that represent their authentic personality or culture. Qualified candidates are expected to exemplify the DAM's internal values, which include being dynamic, respectful, inclusive, creative, and curious. The ability to maintain effective and positive working relationships with visitors, employees, volunteers, representatives of public and private entities, policy making bodies, and contractors is critical to the success of this position.