Exhibitions Intern

Vaquiltmuseum; Virginia; On-site; USD 6,100 - 7,300; Part time

Job summary

The Virginia Quilt Museum is seeking an Exhibitions Intern for a January 5 to May 1, 2027 internship. The role focuses on planning, development, installation, and interpretation of quilt exhibitions, working under the curator and with museum staff and volunteers at the Dayton, Virginia campus.

Stipend will be provided. The position requires strong organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, and an interest in visual storytelling of museum collections.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, and an interest in visual storytelling and presenting museum collections to the public.

Responsibilities

• Assist with development and presentation of exhibitions featuring quilts and related objects.
• Draft exhibition labels and interpretive materials.
• Assist with planning, installation, and deinstallation of exhibitions.
• Organize exhibition documentation and prepare floor plans.
• Support development of upcoming exhibitions.

Skills

Organization skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Interest in visual storytelling

Education

Pursuing museum studies/arts history

Job description

The Virginia Quilt Museum is hiring an Exhibitions Intern

Date Posted: October 15, 2026

$600

Title: Exhibitions Intern

Internship Dates: January 5 to May 1, 2027 (flexible)

Application Deadline: November 15, 2026

Stipend: $600

Location: On-site at The Virginia Quilt Museum in Dayton, Virginia

Hours: 10 hours per week (flexible)

About The Virginia Quilt Museum

The Virginia Quilt Museum (VQM) is the only museum dedicated to quilting in the Mid-Atlantic region. The museum’s mission is to cultivate and preserve the quilting arts in Virginia. The Virginia Quilt Museum’s goal is to inspire and engage a diverse community by building and preserving quilt collections, sharing historical and contemporary exhibitions, and providing education opportunities for all ages. VQM has a permanent collection of 300 plus quilts, over 60 sewing machines, and welcomes over 6,000 visitors each year. The museum has two floors of exhibition space and rotates exhibitions three to four times a year. Along with exhibitions the museum hosts both in-person and virtual programs and events. In 2026 the museum will participate in the semiquincentennial of the American Revolution with a six month exhibition Stitching Together History: 250 Quilts Commemorating the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Position Summary

The Virginia Quilt Museum seeks an intern to assist with exhibition planning, development, installation, and interpretation. VQM is located in the historic Silver Lake Mill in Dayton, Virginia and is 5 miles from James Madison University, 4 miles from Bridgewater College, and 7 miles from Eastern Mennonite University.

The internship will focus on the development and presentation of exhibitions featuring quilts and related objects. The intern will assist with planning and preparing a summer exhibition highlighting 6-8 quilts from the museum's permanent collection. Additional projects may include researching objects and artists, drafting exhibition labels and interpretive materials, organizing exhibition documentation, preparing floor plans, assisting with installation and deinstallation, and supporting the development of other upcoming exhibitions. The intern will gain insight into the exhibition process, from initial planning and object selection to installation and interpretation.

The selected intern will work under the supervision of VQM Curator Kate Read and will work both independently and alongside museum staff and volunteers. This internship is well suited for students interested in museums, art history, history, museum studies, or exhibition design. Strong organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, and an interest in visual storytelling and presenting museum collections to the public are valuable. Previous museum experience is welcome but not required.