Conservation Training

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) Conservation Office offers internship and fellowship opportunities for those interested in gaining hands-on experience in museum conservation.

Conservation Internship

The Conservation Office offers a full-time, nine-month internship in cultural heritage conservation each fall. This internship is ideal for aspiring conservators and those in allied fields, such as collections care, registration, curatorial, and archives, as well as artists, makers, or mountmakers, wanting to expand their conservation experience. Interns work 40 hours per week and gain hands-on experience in:

Providing collections access to Indigenous artists, communities, and researchers
Collaborative care and stewardship
Documentation practices
Preventive conservation
Mountmaking
Treatment using integrated, diverse knowledge sets

This internship supports interns’ personal and professional development.

Location:
The internship is based at the NMAI Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, Maryland.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold at least an associate degree, and be proficient in English. US Citizenship is not required. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent.

Criteria for Selection:
Applicants are evaluated on their knowledge, experience, potential, and vision by Conservation staff. Applicants must demonstrate:

Interest in the care and stewardship of Indigenous cultural heritage through relevant coursework, experience, or connections
Openness and interest in engaging with both Western and Indigenous approaches to cultural heritage care and conservation
How this internship will support their future endeavors
Proficiency in an artistic or conservation practice

As part of its mandate for “the increase and diffusion of knowledge,” including the diverse ideas, skills, and cultures of our nation, the Smithsonian Fellowship program does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental status, or marital status.

Stipend:
$38,000 for the nine-month period

Submission Requirements:

Statement of interest: In 1,000 words or fewer, share your personal and professional background as it relates to the internship and your future academic and career interests or goals.
Curriculum vitae, résumé, or biographical sketch: Submit a detailed, up-to-date document that summarizes your background in your field(s) of knowledge and experience working with communities or artists.
Two letters of professional or academic recommendation: References should be from two individuals in the same knowledge field who can speak to the merits of your work.
Transcripts: Provide unofficial copies of the highest education achieved.

How to Apply:
Submit your application through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System.

Andrew W. Mellon Conservation Fellowship

The NMAI offers a two-year Andrew W. Mellon fellowship each fall to support progressive thinking in conservation, collections care, and stewardship. This full-time fellowship (40 hours/week) is designed for individuals with a strong interest in collaborative conservation and who are committed to advancing the field in ways that serve and benefit Indigenous communities.

This fellowship moves beyond traditional treatment-focused conservation to embrace a broader, more integrated approach. The fellow will:

Implement collaborative engagements
Develop integrated document practices
Engage in collections care and stewardship
Practice preventive conservation
Design artifact displays
Develop project management and decision-making skills
Implement treatment using integrated, diverse knowledge sets

The fellow works closely with Conservation staff to develop and carry out a research project designed to serve the museum’s Native/Indigenous constituency. This fellowship provides mentorship and resources to help the fellow reach personal, professional, and research goals.

Location:
The fellowship is based at the NMAI Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, Maryland.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold at least a bachelor's degree, and be proficient in English. US citizenship is not required. Applicants must be open to engaging in both Western and Indigenous approaches to cultural heritage care and conservation. Applicants should have proficient hand skills and knowledge of materials. Eligible candidates may include conservators, artists, makers, craftspeople, mountmakers, and those with an interest in cultural material science.

As part of the application process, applicants will be expected to define and articulate their primary field of knowledge or professional focus. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of Indigenous cultures or experience with community-based preservation. A familiarity and working knowledge of various materials is required. Examples of such materials are clay, wood, metal, vegetal fibers, fibers used in textile production, hide, feathers, beads, paint, and paper.

Criteria for Selection:
Applicants are evaluated on their knowledge, experience, potential, and vision by Conservation staff. Applicants must demonstrate:

Knowledge of Indigenous cultures or experience with community-based preservation
Familiarity and working knowledge of organic and inorganic materials used in the creation of Indigenous cultural heritage
Ability to execute artistic or conservation practice skills
Knowledge of ethics and practice of community- or collaborative-based work
Openness and interest in engaging with both Western and Indigenous approaches to cultural heritage care and conservation
Creativity, progressive thinking, and critical thinking
Ability to develop a research idea that outlines the use of their funds and how it will support Indigenous communities

Stipend:

$50,000/year
$5,000/year for research and travel
$5,000/year for medical insurance assistance
Funding for one roundtrip relocation ticket

Application Process:
The application is a two-stage, competitive process. All applicants are required to submit a Stage 1 application form. This form will be reviewed and select candidates will be invited to submit Stage 2 application materials.

Stage 1 Submission Requirements:

Statement of interest: In 1,000 words or fewer, share your personal and professional background as it relates to your field of knowledge or profession. Address why you are interested in this fellowship at the NMAI and what you think your impact could be.
Vision for your research: In 500 words or fewer, describe your research intentions and goals.
Transcripts: Provide unofficial copies of the highest education achieved.
Curriculum vitae, résumé, or biographical sketch: Submit a detailed, up-to-date document that summarizes your background in your field(s) of knowledge and experience working with communities or artists.

Stage 2 Submission Requirements:

Three supporting documents: Documents may be treatment reports, publications, samples of artistic or material practice, and/or documentation of community-based projects.
Use of research funds: Describe how the $5,000 funds will support your research goals for the fellowship.
Three letters of professional recommendation: References should be from three different individuals—two individuals in the same field of knowledge who can speak on the importance or impact of your work and one personal character reference.

How to Apply:
Submit your application through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System. Finalists will be invited for an online interview and portfolio presentation.