2026 Ceramics Fall Intern

Job description

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. Job Description: Position Title: 2026 Ceramics Intern-Fall Division: Learning and Engagement Department: Adult Programs Reports to: Studio Programs Technician & Educator About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary: Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission. The Momentary is a new contemporary art space that opened to the public on February 22, 2020, in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. A satellite to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary presents visual, performing, and culinary arts. The mission of the Momentary is to champion contemporary art’s role in everyday life and explore the unfolding story of contemporary American arts in an international context by actively commissioning and exhibiting outstanding works that explore new ideas and inspire action. Position Summary: The Studio Ceramics Public Programs Internship at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary (CBMO) provides hands-on experience in ceramics education, studio operations, public engagement, and creative program development. Participants support a variety of ceramic-focused activities, including classes, workshops, artist demonstrations, open studio sessions, gallery experiences, and museum-wide events. Through these experiences, they gain practical skills in clay preparation and recycling, glaze mixing, kiln loading and unloading, studio organization, materials management, and visitor engagement. The position also offers exposure to the daily operations of a working ceramics studio, helping participants develop an understanding of ceramic processes, studio safety, equipment maintenance, and the planning required to support educational programs for diverse audiences. Some scheduling flexibility is available; however, availability on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (days and evenings), Saturdays (days and evenings), and select Sundays is strongly preferred. Applicants must be at least 16 years old. Application Materials : Interns that do not submit a resume AND cover letter will not be considered for this opportunity. Please answer the following questions in your cover letter when submitting your application. 1. What interests you most about ceramics and the role clay can play in engaging people through hands-on art experiences? 2. This internship involves supporting ceramic classes, workshops, artist demonstrations, and open studio activities. How would you approach collaborating with ceramic artists, instructors, and participants to create a successful and welcoming studio environment? 3. A key part of this internship is learning about ceramic studio operations, including clay preparation, glaze mixing, kiln processes, and program support. Which aspects of ceramics are you most interested in learning about, and why? 4. You will have the opportunity to research and propose ideas for future ceramic programs. What types of ceramic classes, workshops, or community engagement activities would you suggest making studio programming accessible, engaging, and relevant to a diverse audience? 5. Ceramics is both creative and technical practice. Describe how you balance attention to detail, organization, and creativity when working on projects or learning new skills. 6. Crystal Bridges and the Momentary serve a broad range of visitors. How would you help create an inclusive and welcoming environment for participants with different ages, backgrounds, skill levels, and experiences with clay? Duties and Responsibilities: Support ceramics public programs, including classes, workshops, artist demonstrations, open studio sessions, gallery engagements, and museum-wide events. Prepare and maintain studio materials, including clay, glazes, tools, and firing supplies. Support ceramic studio operations through clay recycling, glaze mixing, kiln loading and unloading, and general studio organization. Interact with visitors, students, and community members in a positive, welcoming, and professional manner. Follow and promote studio safety practices while assisting with equipment and materials. Research, develop, and propose new ideas for ceramic programming based on personal interests, community needs, and current trends in contemporary ceramics and craft. Contribute to the creation of engaging, inclusive, and accessible ceramic arts experiences for audiences of all ages and skill levels Timeline: Anticipated Start Date: Week of September 21, 2026 Anticipated End Date: Week of December 12, 2026 Schedule: Hours: Undergraduate students: Up to 20 hours a week; Graduate students: Up to 25 hours a week Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor. To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript. Compensation: High School Interns: $12.00 an hour Undergraduate Interns: $13.00 an hour; Graduate Interns: $14.00 an hour To qualify for bachelor's- or master's-level compensation, applicants must be currently enrolled in, or have graduated within the past three years from, an accredited bachelor's or master's program. Applicants must submit either a current class schedule or an official transcript to verify eligibility. Required Documents: Resume Cover Letter Please respond to all three questions in your cover letter.  Crystal Bridges and the Momentary use storytelling to help guests connect with art and ideas. Describe a time when you communicated a complex idea through writing or another creative medium. What was your approach, and how did you ensure your audience remained engaged? This role involves researching artists, exhibitions, and historical context to create content for a variety of audiences. Tell us about a research project or topic you explored in depth. How did you organize your findings, evaluate your sources, and communicate what you learned? Imagine you are introducing a first-time museum visitor to an artwork or exhibition. How would you create an engaging experience that encourages curiosity and learning? Share your approach and explain why you believe it would resonate with diverse audiences. Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands : In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job. Work environment : Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. The noise level in the museum work environment is usually low to moderate. All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work. Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.