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Curatorial Intern

Palm Springs Art Museum
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Job Title:                      Curatorial Intern
Job Classification:       Part-Time, Non-Exempt
Division/Department:  Curatorial
Reports to:                   Christine Vendredi, Executive Director/Chief Curator
Direct Reports:             None
Pay Rate:                      $16.90/hour
Start Date:                    March 16, 2026
 

Palm Springs Art Museum Overview:

Palm Springs Art Museum is the largest cultural institution in the Coachella Valley, encompassing three locations in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. The flagship building, situated in downtown Palm Springs, showcases compelling art exhibitions, a vast permanent collection, and the Annenberg Theater, all housed within a 150,000-square-foot, architecturally significant structure. Additionally, the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion, hosts exhibitions and programming centered around the rich subjects of architecture and design. In Palm Desert, the Palm Springs Art Museum's four-acre Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.

Internship Description:

Palm Springs Art Museum seeks a detail-oriented and self-starter individual to assist the department with exhibition needs ranging from additional research, identifying images sources and images licensing, to producing the final checklist of objects.

This role is designed to offer real-world, project-based experience in a contemporary arts museum for those interested in learning about curatorial responsibilities and exhibition planning. As a participant in Palm Springs Art Museum’s internship program, this intern will meet with staff from a variety of museum departments to better understand how departments collaboratively work together to support the museum’s mission.

Responsibilities:

Assist the museum’s Executive Director/Chief Curator and the Curatorial Affairs Manager in finalizing the checklist of the upcoming exhibition California Loves Japan: TEA HOUSE. It explores the adoption by Modern California of the culture of Japanese principles. The exhibition will be presented at the Architecture and Design Center, opening in January 2027.

Main duties include but are not limited to:

  • Provide administrative support for the exhibition, including correspondence with staff members and external contacts
  • Develop the exhibition checklist using information provided by Chief Curator
  • Organize rights and reproductions search; correspond with copyright owners, execute agreements, and ensure proper credits are attributed to each image. 
  • Review and edit tombstone labels and didactics; compile final copies to be distributed to internal staff
  • Collaborate with other departments as required, including Collections, Marketing, and Education 

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or Curatorial Studies
    • BA in progress is also accepted
  • Proficiency with MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Workplace, Dropbox, Zoom
  • Strong interest in contemporary art and museum practices
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously


Travel:

This is a hybrid position, with an in-office requirement of two days a week. The in-office days must align with exhibition team meetings. Work will be conducted between the Palm Springs Art Museum, and the Architecture and Design Center.

 

Work Authorization/Security Clearance:

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Criminal, Civil background clearance. 

 

Physical Requirements:

This role operates in a hybrid teleworking position, with working in a professional office setting two days a week. These in-person office days involve working with standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. 

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the internship to Yesenia Benjume, Project Manager for Curatorial Affairs, at ybenjume@psmuseum.org. Please include "Palm Springs Art Museum Curatorial Intern" in the subject line.

Application Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026. All applications will be acknowledged. However, applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

 

AAP/EEO Statement

Palm Springs Art Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.