Collections Internship

Nyhistory; New York (NY); On-site; USD 19,320 - 27,517; Part time

Job summary

New-York Historical Society is offering a Fall 2026 Collections internship in New York, NY. The role provides hands-on experience with the Registrars to develop object loaders, update database records, and prepare media files for online access.

The program runs Oct 5–Dec 11, 2026, with required events on specific dates. The internship includes an hourly rate of $17.00 for a 120-hour program; applicants should be detail-oriented, able to work independently or in a team, and possess strong

Qualifications

• Attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills

Responsibilities

• Assist Registrars with object loaders to add exhibition objects to the database
• Create associated constituents records and prepare media files
• Create loaders to bulk add images to the TMS system
• Review and edit object catalog records to improve consistency and findability
• Support documentation, internal processes, and online access through database updates

Job description

New-York Historical Society: Museum & Library : Education

Location

New York, NY

Open Date

Jul 14, 2026

Deadline

Aug 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description

The Fall 2026 Collections intern will gain insight into the varied undertakings of a Collections Department. The intern will work with the Registrars to develop object loaders to add exhibition and other objects to the database, create associated constituents records, prepare media files, create loaders to add images to TMS in bulk, test TMS generated reports, review and edit object catalog records with the goal of improving consistency, findability, and online display, among other tasks. There is a possibility that the intern may participate in a major relocation project, assisting with recording location related information.

Through this internship, the intern will cultivate a deeper understanding of the Collection Department’s role, learn how to update database records in accord to institutional standards, and gain insight into how the types of database records work together and can be used to better support documentation, internal processes, and online access.

Monday, October 5, through Friday, December 11, 2026. Interns must be available for events on the following dates: October 5, October 28, November 18, and December 9.

The intern in this position will receive an hourly rate of $17.00 for the part-time, 120-hour program.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should demonstrate attention to detail combined with holistic thinking, an ability to work independently as well as part of a team, and strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask.

Application Instructions

To apply, the following must be submitted:

• A cover letter indicating in which position/department you are interested
• A resume
• 5-10 page writing sample*
• 2 letters of recommendation (one must be from a professor)

*It is important to read the individual job descriptions as some departments require other materials in lieu of the writing sample.

Please note: Applications that are not complete and submitted by the appropriate deadline (including two letters of recommendation) will not be accepted. Applicants being considered for the internship will be contacted for an interview.

If you intend to complete the internship that you are applying to for credit, you must submit written confirmation from your college stating that you will receive credit for hours completed upon hiring.

Equal Employment Opportunity

N-YHS is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and organizational needs, and not on race, color, alienage or citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion or creed, physical or mental disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, reproductive health choices, marital status, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other factor protected by law.

These policies apply to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, discipline, termination, layoff, compensation, benefits and all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Management is primarily responsible for seeing that N-YHS’s equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, but all members of the staff share in the responsibility for assuring that the policies are effective and apply uniformly to everyone.