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

Employment Opportunities

There are currently no employment opportunities available.

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.