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Historic Preservation Home > Jobs in Preservation > Unpaid Internships > Photo Archives Intern, Washington D.C., Posted 10/20/09

 

 

Internship/Directed Fieldwork: arrangement, description, and preservation of photograph collections
Smithsonian Institution, National Anthropological Archives

Title
Photo Archives Intern

Reports to
Photo Archivist

Description
The National Anthropological Archives collects and preserves historical and contemporary anthropological materials that document the world's cultures and the history of anthropology. It’s collections represent the four fields of anthropology – ethnology, linguistics, archaeology, and physical anthropology – and include manuscripts, field notes, correspondence, photographs, maps, sound recordings, film and video created by Smithsonian anthropologists and other preeminent scholars.

The internship/directed fieldwork will provide students with hands-on experience processing archival collections of photographs, carrying out research on collection content and context, arranging and describing collection materials, and implementing preservation strategies. The intern may also assist in a variety of collection management projects. Short readings on archival subjects may be assigned.

The intern will become familiar with photographic types and processes, archival arrangement, description, and preservation of photograph collections, and issues in collection management. The intern will gain insight into the application of archival principles and practices as they pertain to photograph collections.

Projects may be tailored to the interests of the student.

Who Should Apply
Graduate students (or recent graduates) in archives, museum, library, history, and anthropology programs who are interested in working with historical primary source materials and learning about the archival care and management of photograph archives. Students with specific research topics are also encouraged to apply and explore the possibility of working with related collections.

Qualifications
Required: Basic research skills and an interest in history and archives. Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel. Preferred but not required: a basic understanding of archival principles and practices.

Time Commitment
Regular and scheduled shifts are preferred, minimum 4 hours per week. Open hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00AM to 4:30PM.

Location
National Anthropological Archives, Museum Support Center (MSC), 4220 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, MD.  http://www.nmnh.si.edu/naa/. The MSC is a 10 minute walk from the Suitland Station on the Green Line, or accessible via free shuttle from the National Mall.

Contact
Interested students please send a resume and letter of interest to Gina Rappaport:  rappaportg@si.edu

Please feel free to contact me with questions: rappaportg@si.edu
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