At the Peabody Essex Museum, Collection Management handles all aspects of collection care. This internship affords the applicant the unique opportunity to gain experience in many back of house disciplines. This term will focus on cataloguing, image capture, and rehousing objects in PEM's American Decorative Arts collection. The intern will work with Collection Management in populating new storage areas, maintaining location accuracy, and helping to finalize shelving configuration for use in the database. Working with the Senior Collection Manager, you will learn about the logistics and preparation required to facilitate grant projects, collection research projects, and educational programming at a large and diverse museum. Responsibilities will also include assisting in photographing museum objects. You will also be given an introduction to the care, planning, and the conservation needed in handling and preserving museum objects.

Current students or recent graduates working toward Museum Studies, Library Science, Art, Photography, History or other related degrees are encouraged to apply. Applicants must possess excellent attention to detail and a measured approach, as well as strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Successful candidates must be adept at Microsoft Office, Google G Suite, and the Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Lightroom, Acrobat). Additional experience with, or knowledge of, Relational Databases a plus.

The Fall Internship Program will run from September 10 through December 14, 2026, or through an alternate end date agreed upon by the intern and hiring manager. A mandatory in-person orientation will be held at the museum on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Interns are also required to participate in professional development sessions typically held on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. through December 3, 2026. Please note that session times are subject to change, and some sessions may be offered in a hybrid format.

This internship provides a $2,000 stipend and requires the completion of 180 hours, which includes participation in professional development programming. This equates to approximately 15 onsite hours per week over the course of twelve weeks. All internships are fully in person and take place on site. Please note the location where each internship will take place.