Graduate Student Museum / Preservation Internship
Summer 2012

Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is a private, nonprofit preservation and museum organization. NRF operates three museum sites on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island – the Whitehorne House’s collection of early Newport furniture; Prescott Farm which provides glimpses into the island’s rural past complete with an 1812 windmill; and Rough Point, a Bellevue Avenue mansion with an impressive collection of fine and decorative arts.

Founded as a force for preservation, NRF has restored and maintains 72 houses from the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries as rental properties. For more information go to: www.newportrestoration.org .

Purpose of Internship:
To provide a high quality learning experience, that jointly fulfills the educational needs and interests of the intern as well as the requirements and goals of NRF. To support the activities of the Foundation, in particular the Education and Public Programs Department, in achieving the institution’s mission through public programs, interpretive planning, and other initiatives relating to NRF’s collection of artifacts, buildings and landscapes.

Function (Responsibility and Scope):
The intern will work directly with the Director of Education and Public Programs and other staff on a variety of projects in a position of responsibility, and carry out an individual project of importance to the museum. The internship will expand the intern’s knowledge of professional museum functions; build on the intern’s skills, experience and interests; and advance the institution’s interpretive plans and educational offerings.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Director of Education and Public Programs in departmental initiatives and activities.

• Assist with the implementation of this season’s public programs. Examples include: group tours and workshops at Prescott Farm; Rough Point After Dark (Gallery Night) programs related to the exhibit’s global travelling theme; visiting craftsmen programs; and more. This position may include minor, short-term research project(s) for programs under development.

• Complete one or more projects, tailored to the student’s interests and NRF’s goals, in the areas of research, educational program development, or interpretive planning. Possibilities include:

– Food history research and writing, and transcription of an early 19th-century recipe book, in support of a potential publication.

– Editing digital video for educational clips on the web (YouTube, NRF’s website, etc.) and in the galleries.

– Conducting intensive research on a group of NRF’s 18th-century houses.

– Researching and writing tip sheets and web link annotations on preservation topics in support of:
www.commonsensepreservation.org and www.newportrestoration.org/sup/files/hh_tool_kit.pdf

– Developing school program curriculum or special thematic tour scripts on art or decorative arts (related to our museum collections) or on the American Revolution.

Compensation and Living Arrangements:
Compensation will be $13.25/hour for 10 to 12 weeks (or $5,300). Housing is available in one of NRF’s restored 18th-century houses at $125 or $250/month, possibly shared with one other intern. Scheduling for the internship will be arranged with the Director of Education and Public Programs: start & end dates are flexible; some weekend and evening hours will be required. Intern must provide own transportation.

Application:
NRF is an equal opportunity employer, minority applicants welcome. Send a résumé, three letters of reference and a letter of interest to Lisa Dady, Director of Education and Public Programs, NRF, 51 Touro Street, Newport, RI 02840. Phone or e-mail inquiries accepted: 401/324-6090; lisa@newportrestoration.org.

Closing date 24 February 2012.