EMPLOYMENT & Volunteer OPPORTUNITES

 
Application for Employment 

EDUCATION & PUBLIC PROGRAMS INTERNSHIP
MUSEUM EXHIBITION INTERN

VOLUNTEER

EDUCATION & PUBLIC PROGRAMS INTERNSHIP
Cheekwood Education/Public Programs Internships are designed for the university or college student seeking to gain hands-on experience in a non-profit museum and botanical garden. Interns will experience all aspects of museum education including: developing and teaching classes, creating educational materials, guiding tours through the gardens and collections, contributing to Cheekwood’s wide range of programming, and working with a variety of age groups.

Hours/Time Commitment:
Internships are offered in conjunction with the academic calendar, coinciding with the fall semester, spring semester, and summer break. Hours vary and are flexible, but a minimum of 15 hours per week is required. Students should be available to work during Cheekwood’s opening hours.

Academic Credit:
All interns are encouraged to obtain credit for internships through their academic institution. Cheekwood will work with students to complete all required paperwork and documentation.

Description:
Internships are designed to expose students to the multi-faceted and high energy field of museum education while providing students with opportunities to apply classroom skills in a real-world environment. Specific internship projects are based on Cheekwood needs and requirements as well as applicants’ interests and skills. Possible intern projects and/or areas of focus include:
• Teaching Assistant – Saturday AM / Tuesdays for Tots / Summer Camp
Teaching Assistants will manager the operations of Cheekwood’s weekly classes or camps. From developing the craft activities and preparing the supplies to facilitating each class, interns will work with the Studio Coordinator to create a fun and educational season of classes.
• Exhibition Interpretation
Interns will work with the Manager of Public Programs to develop interpretive materials, such as interactive galleries and family guides, in conjunction with upcoming exhibitions.
• Docent/Guide Education
Interns will work with the Docent Educator to prepare materials for seasonal training sessions. Projects may include rewriting and updating training manuals, creating new tours, or leading training sessions.
• School Services & Outreach
Interns will work with Cheekwood staff to develop educational materials for school tours and programs as well as projects and materials for outreach services. From creating standards-based tours to developing supplemental materials for teachers, aspiring educators will gain great hands-on experience.
• Programs & Events
Interns will work with the Public Programs Manager to coordinate monthly programs, lectures and workshops, and seasonal events such as Spring Art, El Dia de los Muertos, and Season of Celebration.

Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit their letter of interest and resume to Susan Bell, Volunteer Manager at sbell@cheekwood.org by September 15th. 

MUSEUM EXHIBITION INTERN
Cheekwood Museum Exhibition Internships are designed for the university or college student seeking to gain hands-on experience in a non-profit museum and/or botanic garden. Interns will experience all aspects of day-to-day museum operations, including working with different departments of a museum and observing how various departments interact with one another.

Majors in education, art education, art history, studio art, arts management, business, communications, marketing and/or related areas of study are desired.

Internships are offered during the school year, coinciding with the fall semester, spring semester, and summer break. This program is ideal for students registered in programs that permit independent studies, and courses that require internships or practicum credits.

Hours/Time Commitment:
Internships are available between April 1st and November 19th. Hours vary and are flexible, but a minimum of 12 hours per week is generally expected, with a 6 week minimum commitment.

Compensation/College Credit:
All interns are encouraged to obtain academic credit for internships through their academic institution. Cheekwood currently offers no paid internship positions but does offer a Perk Program*.
*Please see the Benefits section of the Cheekwood Volunteer Policies & Procedures Manual
Description:
Museum Exhibition Internships are designed to expose students to the multi-faceted and high energy field of museum operations while providing students with opportunities to apply their learned classroom skills in a real-world environment.

Responsibilities Include:
• Instructing visitors about the current exhibition, the artist and his/her work
• Assisting Exhibition Volunteers with preparation and execution of Events and Projects
• Overseeing administration projects including scheduling a calendar of events and Exhibition Volunteer shifts (must be proficient in Excel)
• Preparing supplies and materials for trainings
• Organizing and developing curriculum for various training programs
• Providing superb customer service for both Exhibition Volunteers and Cheekwood visitors

Experience in the following areas is preferred:
• Experience supervising/managing individuals
• Art and/or Horticulture
• Public speaking
• Museum Studies and it’s application
• Customer Service

Application Must Include:
• Volunteer Application (found at http://www.cheekwood.org/Contribute/Volunteer.aspx)
• Resume
• Letter of Interest

Mail or email applications to:
sbell@cheekwood.org
-or-
Cheekwood Internships
Attn: Susan Bell
1200 Forrest Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37205 

 

Organizational Overview: Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art is located in Nashville, Tennessee.  Originally the private estate of the Cheek family (built between 1929 and 1932), Cheekwood opened as a garden and museum in 1960.  Today, Cheekwood operates with an annual operating budget of $6.5 million and over 100 full and part-time staff.  Located on 55 acres, Cheekwood provides one of a kind indoor and outdoor experiences for the over 180,000 people who participate in its programs annually.  Named to the National Register of Historic Places, the mansion and the original boxwood gardens are an inspired work of architecture and design, and the ideal setting for the gardens and the art museum.  Cheekwood boasts ten distinct gardens and important botanical collections and has strong support from many different garden related constituents. The accredited art museum has strengths in American painting, works on paper, photographs, and decorative arts.  The Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail showcases an outstanding collection of outdoor sculpture by internationally acclaimed artists along a natural hiking trail.  For more information about Cheekwood visit our website at www.cheekwood.org.  

Cheekwood Mission:  Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate.  Cheekwood exists to celebrate and preserve its landscape, buildings, art and botanical collections and, through these unique means, provide an inspiring place for visitors to explore their connections with art, nature and the environment.

Cheekwood Vision:  Cheekwood will be cherished locally and recognized nationally for its unique ability to welcome visitors of all ages with one-of-a-kind indoor/outdoor experiences reflecting its noted art and botanical collections displayed in one of the great American Country Place Estates.