STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE TROUT GALLERY

LIVE CREATIVELY AT DICKINSON 

THE TROUT GALLERY IS YOUR CAMPUS ART MUSEUM.

Students from every discipline at Dickinson can take advantage of cultural life at The Trout by attending an art opening, joining our spring student Gala, studying in The Gallery during finals or attending special museum events.  Become a Trout Fan to receive updates on what’s happening at The Trout each semester.  For those interested in deeper engagement, The Trout Gallery offers both paid and volunteer opportunities. 

 

PAID OPPORTUNITIES

Student interns participate in an intensive training the week before classes begin in the Fall and assist with daily operations of The Gallery such as working exhibition openings, organizing museum materials, and participating in promotional activities.  Students may apply for more than one position.

Applicants for paid internship positions must have already completed one year at Dickinson.  Student Intern positions are eligible for the Internship Notation Program (INP).  See your Academic Advisory to determine if a Trout Gallery experience meets your department's internship requirements.

CURATORIAL INTERN

Working closely with the Director of The Trout Gallery, Curatorial Interns will learn about different aspects of curating and organizing exhibitions. Interns investigate works of art to assess upcoming and potential exhibitions, as well as research and write catalog entries, didactic texts and wall labels. Their work supports curatorial and administrative activities, including the evaluation of potential art acquisitions and the analysis of current collections. Applicants should have excellent research and writing skills, be detail-oriented and self-motivated as well as have an interest in the history of art and culture.

 4-6 hrs/week on average. Hours may vary depending on nature and scope of independent projects. One intern needed per semester with option to renew for second semester. 

MUSEUM EDUCATION INTERN

Museum Education Interns receive intensive training in object-based learning and principles of museum education.  They research, write, and teach lesson plans for middle school students and elementary age students participating in Gallery programs taught weekly onsite and in the local schools. In addition, interns learn current exhibition content, develop, and lead discussion-based tours for visiting audiences of all ages.  Experience working with children and public speaking is desirable.  Interns should be comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment responsive to evolving community needs.  Availability one weekday (Tues-Thurs) between 3 and 5 is desirable. No previous art experience necessary.

6-10 hrs/week. One year commitment preferred. Eight Interns needed per semester.

EXHIBITIONS AND COLLECTIONS INTERN

Assists the Collections Manager with preparing and installing exhibitions, supporting object study programs, and cataloging the collections. Previous experience with art installation, construction or painting is desirable.  Training week in the Fall suggested, but not required.

4-6 hrs/week on average. Schedule changes based on museum installation schedule. One- year commitment required. One intern needed per year.

COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS INTERN

Assists the Gallery Administrator with communications and event planning.  Examples include: marketing, graphic design, social media, web-blasts, mailing lists, print materials, website management, gallery openings, and sponsored lectures.  Excellent written and verbal communications skills as well as familiarity with social media platforms and Excel is necessary.  Must be able to work most exhibition openings and some evenings and weekends depending on the museum's events schedule. Must be able to learn web-based marketing applications and database management systems.  Previous experience with graphic design software, public speaking, or social media marketing is desirable.

4-6 hrs/week. One year commitment preferred. One intern needed per year.

LANGUAGE EDUCATION INTERN

Positions available for Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic and Japanese speakers. Language Interns are trained in museum exhibition content, principles of second language acquisition and lesson planning.  They teach college classes using objects on view in current exhibitions or from the permanent collection. Lessons are collaboratively written and edited by Language Interns, relevant faculty and Trout Gallery staff.  Spanish language interns teach approximately 10 classes per semester and other language interns teach approximately 2 classes per semester.

Hours vary weekly by language. For Spanish, approximately 4-6 hrs/week during four planning weeks and 1-2 hrs/week the rest of the semester. 

 

SUMMER MUSEUM EDUCATION INTERN 

Summer Museum Education Interns receive intensive training in object-based learning and principles of museum education.  Interns will teach visiting day campers in the galleries and museum Education Center, research exhibition content, develop lesson plans and assist with museum-related marketing and communications work.  Qualified candidates will have experience in or completed coursework in art, art history, educational studies, history or cultural studies and enjoy working with children.  Previous experience teaching, working in museums, or developing lesson plans is desirable.  Students will work a total of 280 hours and must be available 9AM-5PM weekdays from mid June to mid August.  Students are encouraged to enroll in the Internship Notation Program through Dickinson’s Advising, Internships and Career Center during the course of the internship.  Compensation for the internship includes on-campus housing and a weekly stipend of $350. 

This internship is available to current Dickinson College students only.  Two internships available per summer.

 

POSTBACCALAUREATE FELLOW IN MUSEUM EDUCATION 

The PostBaccalaureate Fellow in Museum Education will be considered a professional member of the museum's education staff. Under the supervision of the Curator of Education, the Fellow will research works of art, develop educational materials, and teach community outreach programs. The Fellow will train and supervise Museum Education Interns teaching K-12 audiences and lead the Museum Ambassador program.  Ongoing professional development provided by our experienced museum staff and professionals within the field ensures that the Education Fellow leaves the program with extensive experience teaching and programming for a variety of audiences, and with a completed professional teaching portfolio. This is an eleven-month paid part-time position with the possibility of renewal for a second year. 

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

MUSEUM AMBASSADORS

Trout Gallery Museum Ambassadors provide a conduit between museum exhibitions and programs and the larger Dickinson and Carlisle Community.   They attend a bi-monthly meeting (Thursdays 12-1:15PM) and Trout events.  Meetings consist of exhibition workshops, behind the scenes tours by museum staff, and programming and initiative feedback sessions. Ambassadors also plan a yearly student Gala.  These experiences prepare Ambassadors to act as spokespeople for the museum within their respective communities. Maximum 35.

TROUT FANS

Do you want to be involved with The Trout Gallery, but don’t have time for a regular commitment?  Become a Trout Fan!  Trout Fans receive regular email updates about happenings at The Trout, the latest Trout merch, and first dibs on tickets for the Spring Gala.

 

 For more information contact Heather Flaherty, Curator of Education at flaherth@dickinson.edu.