Internships

The Frist Center internship program is designed to introduce participants to specific areas of the museum profession. Based on students’ interests and departmental placements, interns gain a valuable understanding of different areas within a museum and how various departments interact with one another.

Successful candidates to all programs may arrange academic credit through their colleges and universities. Students will work under the guidance of the Frist Center’s staff and the cooperating educator from their college or university. The Frist Center will provide letters of reference and necessary documentation.

Junior or senior level college students or graduate students are preferred; in some cases, however, lower division students with faculty recommendations will be considered. Majors in education, art education, art history, studio art, arts management, business, communications, marketing, information technology, computer science and/or related areas of study are desired.

The following departments/areas within the Frist Center offer internships:

• Marketing / Public Relations / Community Relations
• Development / Membership
• General Education
• Outreach
• Curatorial
• Design
• Retail
• Technology

Internships are offered during the school year, coinciding with the fall semester, spring semester, and summer break. Internship projects are based on Frist Center needs and requirements as well as applicants’ skills and interests. This program is ideal for students registered in programs that permit independent studies, and courses that require internships or practicum credits.

Hours vary and are flexible, but a minimum of 8 hours per week is generally expected. Students should be available during Frist Center hours:

• 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Saturday
• 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Thursday & Friday
• 1:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday

Application Process:

To be considered for an internship, you must submit a packet containing all of the following:

• A cover letter explaining why you would like to participate in the Internship Program at the Frist Center, and how it fits into your long-term career goals.
• A letter of faculty recommendation
• The completed Intern Application Form

The Frist Center will not accept any digital application packets but only those sent by postal mail at the address below. You will be notified by email when your application packet has arrived.

Download Internship Application Form (PDF – Adobe Acrobat® required).

Applications should be submitted to:

Andrea Steele
Education Department
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
919 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203

Please note that this is a competitive program and applying for a position DOES NOT guarantee you an internship. Preference is given to juniors and seniors. We will contact those who we wish to interview.

2012 Internship Program Deadlines:

Spring 2012 Internships
Application Deadline: October 31, 2011
Application Review Period: November 4-18, 2011
Acceptance/decline Letters Mailed: November 21, 2011
Internship Start Date: January 20, 2012
Internship End Date: May 11, 2012
Length of Internship: 16 weeks
Required Commitment: 128 hours (8 hours/week minimum)
Stipend: No stipends are available.
Eligibility: Any student currently enrolled in a College or University. Preference given to Junior or Senior level college and university students, graduate students and international students

Summer 2012 Internships
Application Deadline: March 19, 2012
Application Review Period: March 23-April 6, 2012
Acceptance/decline Letters Mailed: April 9, 2012
Internship Start Date: May 18, 2012
Internship End Date: July 27, 2012
Length of Internship: 10 weeks
Required Commitment: 80 hours (8 hours/week minimum)
Stipend: No stipends are available.
Eligibility: Any student currently enrolled in a College or University. Preference given to Junior or Senior level college and university students, graduate students and international students

Fall 2012 Internships
Application Deadline: July 2, 2012
Application Review Period: July 6-20, 2012
Acceptance/decline Letters Mailed: July 23, 2012
Internship Start Date: August 24, 2012
Internship End Date: December 14, 2012
Length of Internship: 16 weeks
Required Commitment: 128 hours (8 hours/week minimum)
Stipend: No stipends are available.
Eligibility: Any student currently enrolled in a College or University. Preference given to Junior or Senior level college and university students, graduate students and international students