Employment and Opportunities

Photograph of a man, right, and woman, left, with backs to the camera. They are at a table working on the back of a painting.  
Photograph of a woman volunteer standing outside holding up two peace signs.  
Photograph of an outdoor scene with people standing and walking on a sidewalk. There are two groups of people in the foreground chatting.  

Internships and Fellowships

Internships and Fellowships at the Danforth Art Museum and School are limited to Framingham State University students, both undergraduate and graduate, who have an interest in the day-to-day activities of a small university art museum and art school. This can include art history, art, museum studies, education, or business students.  Positions will be posted by staff on a semester-by-semester basis depending on the current needs of each department.

Students are encouraged to apply on FSU’s Handshake portal to an internship or fellowship that matches their interests, posted in the section below. Students will be expected to provide letter of interest, resume, and be available for an interview with the Staff who will be overseeing the position. Currently, internships are unpaid and for course credit only, pending discussion with the student’s advisor.  Fellowships are paid positions, ten hours a week, at $15.00 an hour.

Museum Ambassador

The Danforth Art Museum is excited to offer Museum Ambassador positions for Framingham State University (FSU) students. Museum Ambassadors will provide a crucial service which advances our educational mission by conducting tours and providing educational programs for the general public (children, adults, and families).

The ideal candidate must demonstrate a genuine interest in art and be comfortable presenting dynamically to groups. A professional and positive attitude are essential. Museum Ambassadors provide a welcoming atmosphere with a sensitivity to our diverse community. Conversational Spanish and/or Portuguese skills will be considered an asset. Candidate should also demonstrate flexibility and willingness to learn and be willing to learn and follow a set of standards. Must be willing to commit to regular and weekend work.

This is a part-time, hourly position that reports to Katherine Tako-Girard, Learning & Engagement Coordinator. The position runs from October 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024 with potential for continued employment in successive academic semesters. The rate of pay is $15/hour and includes compensation for training in addition to service hours.

To apply, please find our listing on FSU’s Handshake portal. Applications are open now until September 22, 2023.

Responsibilities and Duties:

    • Complete a comprehensive training including introductory reading, participatory activities, and observations of museum staff.
    • Attend 2-3 supplementary trainings each semester for temporary exhibitions.
    • Act as the Museum host by welcoming groups and assisting with general questions and issues, and sharing these with museum staff.
    • Welcome group participants and conduct tours.
    • Be knowledgeable about Museum programs, exhibits, and events in order to be an effective ambassador during tours.
    • Maintain visibility, friendliness, and approachability at Museum Welcome Desk. Circulate throughout Museum, maintaining visibility and a friendly demeanor.
    • Provide at least 4 private group tours each semester.
    • Twice a month, provide tours to drop in visitors on a Saturday: Highlights Tour or Temporary Exhibition Tour.

Minimum Qualifications:

    • Team player with a professional, positive attitude, and the ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.
    • Experience or education in art, art history, history, public speaking/communications, education/teaching can be helpful, although not required.
    • Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
    • Reliable and dependable.
    • Must be enthusiastic, cheerful, and willing to learn.
    • Must be interested in working with people, especially school age students and senior citizens.

Preferred Qualifications:

    • Background in one or more of the following areas: customer service, hospitality, storytelling, visual arts or STEAM.
    • Experience leading participatory experiences.
    • Fluency in (spoken) Spanish or Portuguese.
Curatorial Fellowship

The Danforth Art Museum is excited to offer a one-year Fellowship focused on providing experience in the day-to-day curatorial activities of a small university art museum. During the 2024-2025 academic year, a Framingham State University (FSU) student will join the Danforth’s curatorial team to assist in all aspects of exhibition preparation. Reporting to the Danforth’s Collections Manager, Rachel Passannante, this will be an invaluable, hands-on experience for the Fellow and Museum staff, benefiting any FSU student interested in a career in museums or the arts.

This Fellowship will be expected to work up to 10 hours a week starting in mid-September 2024 and continuing through May of 2025. Some hours may be worked remote, project depending.  The Fellow will have the opportunity of working with the Museum’s Curator and Collections Manager in the execution of the following installations:

  • Rotation of the Danforth’s Permanent Collection gallery for our 50th Anniversary in January; including concept, checklist, and installation.
  • Research and preparing label text for a selection of Permanent Collection.
  • Preparing for our Fall 2025 rotation of the Permanent Collection Gallery; including concept, checklist, and label information.
  • Assist with Fall 2024 Exhibitions of the artists Iliana Dobley Hernandez, DM Whitman, and Suzanne Revy; including art handling and installation.
  • Assist with Spring 2025 Exhibitions of Tina Feingold, Tim McDonald, and a group show focused on Identity.
  • Assist with updating our Danforth Art App for upcoming exhibition experiences.
  • Assist with other collections related projects as they arise, such as rehousing, framing, and condition reports.

All of the above exhibitions will provide opportunities for research, writing and editing interpretive text, installation and deinstallation of works, and coordinating with Museum staff and exhibiting artists on art delivery, installation, and pick up. Specifically pertaining to the Permanent Collection rotation, the Fellow will assist in selecting and interpreting art and objects for the installation and learn the process of storing, preserving, and locating art in Collections Storage.

In addition, the Curatorial Fellow will be instrumental in creating accessible programing on our Danforth Museum App. This app allows visitors to access digital content of our collection and exhibition as well as provides ways for those with limited or no sight to listen to descriptions of artwork and exhibition text. This will include research, creating digital themes and tours, and potential voice recordings.

Beyond assisting in exhibitions, the Fellow will have the opportunity to work alongside other Museum staff to assist with and produce programing and digital content for our website and app, in-person and virtual gallery talks, and our Fall and Spring receptions. This will provide valuable experience in organization, planning, event management, and interpersonal skills.

Requirements:

  • Major/minor in art, art history, museum studies, or related field
  • GPA of 3.0
  • Ability to work independently when needed
  • Able to communicate clearly, ask questions, and follow directions
  • Ability to work for extended periods standing during installation and deinstallation, use ladders, and able to use, or willing to learn, tools such as drills and mat cutters
  • Desire to work in or experience the inner workings of a small art museum or related field
Danforth Assistantship

This year-round leadership program for teens provides experience in educational and administrative functions at the Danforth Art School and the Danforth Art Museum.

Danforth Assistants serve the art school by helping with overall program facilitation during Summer Arts, our highly popular summer program for children, as well as school vacation week workshops which take place year-round. Assisting at the school includes working directly with children, providing support for teachers, preparation of materials and studio spaces, organization of supplies, and various administrative tasks.

Danforth Assistants serve the museum by providing tours of the exhibitions to children during Summer Arts and providing support during public programming such as Drop Into Art and other events.

Danforth Assistants receive valuable mentorship in all areas of their supportive roles at both the art school and museum. Danforth accepts applications from responsible, reliable, and energetic teens currently enrolled in or entering high school or college. Accepted assistants must:

  • attend a training course taking place on Saturdays during the spring, which will provide the necessary training for summer programming and service in the museum
  • commit to at least four weeks of service during Summer Arts in addition to at least four public events or workshops at the art school or art museum over the following year
  • sign an agreement which outlines their understanding of expectations and their commitment to serve on the dates specified

Weeks of service in Summer Arts do not need to be consecutive, but they must be full weeks, with all full days from 8:15 A.M.-4:15 P.M. Public events take place on weekends.

Placement in the Danforth Assistantship Program provides a modest stipend  upon successful participation in the program. In addition to a stipend, all Danforth Assistants are eligible for one free class during the Fall, Winter or Spring sessions. They will receive individualized mentorship, valuable leadership experience, work and school references upon request, and an exit letter outlining specific individual contributions to the Danforth.

Application for 2025

Employment Opportunities

Administrative Coordinator

The Administrative Coordinator will serve as the office administrator for the Museum and Art School. The Administrative Coordinator will be responsible for tasks related to class and event registration and management, routing phone calls and emails appropriately, managing transactions with the university Business Office, and providing administrative support to operations at the Danforth.

The schedule for the Administrative Coordinator at the Danforth is somewhat flexible, within the with work hours of the school and museum and with occasional evening and weekend shifts. This is a part-time non-benefited, contract position, not to exceed 18 hours per week.  The pay rate is $21 per hour.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Minimum 2 years of experience working in an office setting providing administrative support
  • Strong interpersonal skills to work with a variety of audiences.
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills required.
  • Must be reliable, punctual, accountable and professional.
  • Ability to work in a diverse environment and to contribute in a meaningful way to the diversity and inclusion efforts of the University.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule including some evening and weekend shifts.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Proficiency in Word, Excel, Wild Apricot, Raiser’s Edge, Word Press
  • Knowledge of museums and or the visual arts
  • Knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese a plus

Candidates must apply online via this link , submitting:

  • Cover Letter,
  • Resume/CV,
  • Equity and Inclusion Statement
  • Names and contact information for three (3) professional references (references are not contacted automatically upon submission of application).

Examples of specific duties and responsibilities:

  • Serves as primary point of contact for all general communications, including phone and email, for art school and museum, routing inquiries as needed.
  • Works closely with all staff members, maintaining clear understanding of various position responsibilities and organizational structure.
  • Responsible for overseeing event and school registration processes including managing classes in registration software, maintaining student records, assisting with online and in-person registrations, processing transfers and cancellations of registrations.
  • Book and confirm models for classes.
  • Collect and maintain data for registration and other metrics as needed for art school and museum operations.
  • Maintain an understanding of school programs and pedagogy, including knowledge of teaching styles of faculty members.
  • Remain knowledgeable about museum exhibitions, collections, events and programs.
  • Serve as requisitioner with university business office, responsible for processing all purchases, invoices and contracts for the Danforth.
  • Serve as point of contact with all software, equipment and other IT infrastructure requirements
  • Responsible for processing deposits as needed with business office.
  • Maintain excellent point of entry experience for school and museum visitors, students, faculty and others.
  • Oversee supplies for programs including ordering, processing, organizing and inventory of supplies.
  • Supporting overall goals and mission of the Danforth and the university and serving as ambassador for the Danforth brand.
  • Accountable for ensuring that affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.

Art Instructor for Children’s & Teen Classes

The Art School is seeking highly qualified teachers for our Children and Teen programs. We are especially looking for those with experience in elementary level and teachers who have availability on the weekends and during the summer. Faculty members at the Danforth have a strong body of personal artwork in addition to an expansive view of  how to teach art. Please apply here.

Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Danforth! Right now we are identifying more ways for you to volunteer. Check here often as we will be posting opportunities as they arise.