Notebook and coffee—notebook lists practice, exposure, learning, and experience under Internship heading

Internship: ARTHIST 691

Internships help art history majors explore some of the ways they can apply their knowledge and training before they graduate.

Many internship students discover that they love a particular industry or type of job, helping them better define what they want to do after graduation. Just as important, some students find that the job they thought they wanted is not a good fit for them after interning in that setting. That experience helps them adjust their post-graduation plans.

The Greater Milwaukee area is big and diverse and provides an array of potential internship opportunities for students. As part of their professional development, we encourage our students to draw upon both UWM and personal resources to develop professionally or locate suitable internships, including:

Depending on the internship, the role can be paid or unpaid. However, whether paid or not, internships are a valuable way to build a resume before graduation.

  • Enrolling in ARTHIST 289 Internship in Art History, Lower Division or ARTHIST 489 Internship in Art History, Upper Division in the art history course list of the catalog.
  • Networking through friends and family and their connections
  • Networking through student organizations or professional organizations
  • Using job boards and other online sites where internships are posted
  • Connecting with the UWM’s Office of Student Experience and Talent for resume assistance, interviewing tips, internship and job postings and more
  • Networking with alums of your program via Panthers Connect and asking questions about their internship experiences. 

Students pursuing the major in art history can gain an authentic, hands-on learning experience by taking ArtHist 691 Museum Internship. The internship program allows students to earn college credit by working behind the scenes in Milwaukee’s many museums, galleries, and cultural institutions.

We also have an internship at our Emile H. Mathis Gallery for Classics Majors to gain credit in classics. If interested, please apply using the same process outlined below.

person examining sculpture

Process

  1. Please send an internship application sheet (below), cv/resume, and cover letter detailing your request to intern at a particular approved institution (see our website for list of approved sites) to the Internship Coordinator: Professor Schaefer (schaefes@uwm.edu).
  2. Once we have approved your application, cover letter, and resume, the Internship Coordinator will contact you over email about the next steps involved in connecting with the appropriate individual who will oversee your internship at your chosen and approved museum or gallery (see link for Approved Internship Opportunities on our website).
  3. If your initial application forms have been screened and approved by both the Internship Coordinator and the appropriate museum/gallery supervisor, you will be asked to do an interview with this supervisor.

    Please note that internships are not guaranteed and are subject to the approval of the supervisor at your chosen museum/gallery following the interview process.
  4. If your museum/gallery internship supervisor chooses you for the internship position, please have them email the Internship Coordinator confirming:
    1. that the supervisor agrees to take you on as an intern
    2. what your duties will entail at the institution
    3. that the supervisor agrees to send a written assessment of your work to the Internship Coordinator by the last day of the semester
  5. Once the Internship Coordinator receives your supervisor’s email you will be given permission to sign up for ARTHIST 691.

Application Deadlines

  • August 15 for Fall semester
  • January 15 for Spring semester

*Internships are not offered through the department over the summer*

Once you sign up for 691, you agree to fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Your internship should occupy around 10 hours per week (for 3 credits).
    -15 weeks x 10 hours per week = 150 hours per semester
  2. Reflection Paper detailing your experience/activities at the institution (be specific, include relevant names and duties undertaken, and any publications or texts): 3-5 pages.

    Due: Last day of classes (submit via Canvas course under Assignments)
    NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED
  3. A formal evaluation of your performance (written to the Internship Coordinator) by your internship supervisor. Due: Last day of classes

Please tell your supervisor to email their evaluation to Professor Schaefer (schaefes@uwm.edu).

UWM Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge in Milwaukee that we are on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk and Menominee homeland along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida and Mohican nations remain present.   |   To learn more, visit the Electa Quinney Institute website.