McDermott Intern for Indigenous American Art

Position: McDermott Intern for Indigenous American Art 

Reports to: The Ellen and Harry S. Parker III Associate Curator of Indigenous American Art 

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly 

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid holiday, personal and sick time; $500 for professional development 

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch; ability to work remotely 2 days per week following 90-day introductory period 

Internship Period: September 1, 2026 – May 28, 2027 

Salary: $15/hour, 35 hours per week   

Mission 

The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive. 

The DMA will: 

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate. 
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art. 
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity. 

Scope of Position: 

The intern's primary responsibility will be to serve as a research assistant for the Indigenous American Art collection. Responsibilities may include updating the collection database, drafting didactic texts for use in galleries and online, and compiling documentation on works in the Museum’s permanent collection. The intern will also assist with tasks related to NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) as well as a forthcoming exhibition offering an innovative exploration of ancient through contemporary visual culture pertaining to the lives of Maya women. Exhibition-related work may include object research, literature reviews, exhibition development, and/or contributions to fundraising proposals. The intern will support curatorial projects by attending interdepartmental meetings and working collaboratively with staff across the Museum as needed. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Support ongoing research and documentation of the Dallas Museum of Art’s collection of Indigenous American art. 
• Conduct research utilizing a multitude of resources, including object files and the Museum's Mayer Library. 
• Navigate online collections database to clean up object records and perform data entry.
• Contribute to the implementation and development of gallery rotations, exhibitions, NAGPRA. 
• Attend regular one-on-one, departmental, and inter-departmental team meetings. 
• Support other curatorial tasks under the supervision of the curator as needed. 

Internship Goals: 

• Learn art historical object-based research skills and collections management including the use of TMS collections management software.
• Develop a framework for understanding Indigenous culture in general and Maya culture and visual arts specifically 
• Build awareness of ways museums can expand representation through exhibitions.
• Gain experience with writing in a museum context, including exhibition didactic texts, labels, web content, and/or acquisition proposals. 
• Understand the museum exhibition process. 
• Ascertain professional goals and interests through the support of mentorship. 
• Develop professional communication and interpersonal skills through collaboration with Museum colleagues. 
• Understand the roles and functions of different staff within the Museum as well as the relationship between the departments and how they all function together to comprise the organization.

 Education, Experience, and Certification: 

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in art history, anthropology, archaeology, Indigenous studies or related field prior to the start of the internship.
• Graduate work encouraged. 
• Knowledge or academic coursework related to Native American, Mesoamerican, or Andean arts and cultures preferred. 
• Prior TMS collections management software experience encouraged.

Key Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated research and writing skills 

Application Directions 

McDermott Internship Program applications must include all of the below items in order to be complete. Please ensure you have reviewed the list below closely and all files are included with your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and late materials will not be accepted. If you have any difficulty with the application process or the Paylocity system, please first reach out to internships@dma.org for assistance. 

Upload and attach your resume, personal statement cover letter, writing sample, and two letters of recommendation in your application form, as specified below. If your two references would prefer to submit their letters directly, please direct them to submit the letter of recommendation through the McDermott Internship Recommendation Form. All items must be received no later than March 16, 2026. 

Please save the files with your last name and document type in the title: e.g. Smith_Cover Letter_Position Title_2026. 

Resume or CV 

Submit in application under Select Resume to Upload 

Personal Statement Cover Letter 

A detailed one-to-two-page cover letter explaining your interest in an art museum career. Include information regarding your personal learning expectations for the internship; any prior museum experience; and any art and art history related experience, especially as it relates to the specific position. 

Submit in application under Upload Cover Letter 

Writing Sample 

An excerpt of no more than one page of text that provides an example of your writing within an academic context. 

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files 

Two Letters of Recommendation 

Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic reference. Please list these individuals in the reference list of the application. Only two references are required in the form. 

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files or Direct your references to upload through this link: 2026 DMA McDermott Internships: Letter of Recommendation Form  

Our Core Values 

• Act with Integrity: We are honest and ethical. 
• Build Inclusivity: We create spaces where everyone can feel like they belong. 
• Communicate Respectfully: We listen intentionally and advocate for diverse perspectives. 
• Embrace and Drive Change: We are innovative, creative, and solutions driven. 
• Foster Connections: We collaborate around shared goals. 
• Maintain Balance: We encourage ourselves and each other to reflect and recharge. 
• Remain Curious: We pursue personal and professional learning. 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 

Equity 

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all. 

Diversity 

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity. 

Inclusion 

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture. 

EOE 

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.