Art Liaison Internship
The Henry Art Gallery is once again offering their year-long Art Liaison Internship, open to University of Washington students. This is a year-long commitment, learning and working in the museum. Details outlined below! Interested applicants should send their application materials to contact-programs@henryart.org by August 15.
ABOUT THE HENRY
The Henry Art Gallery was founded as Washington State’s first art museum in 1926, on the principle that art stimulates inquiry, fosters knowledge, and builds healthy communities. Located on the campus of the University of Washington (UW), Seattle, the Henry is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the research and presentation of contemporary art. Learn about our mission and vision: https://henryart.org.
Art 496B: Henry Art Liaison Internship (2cr/quarter + Paid, autumn ‘23 – spring ‘24)
Fall Term: Start date September 28
Total weekly time commitment: 3 to 9 hours/week
Credited Time: Class will meet Tuesday & Thursday 12-1:30 with up to three hours of outside class work including readings, group projects, and assignments.
Paid Time: Up to three hours of paid work a week with a mix of onsite and remote working.
- From mid-November until the end of the academic year, liaisons will be scheduled for one 2-hour shift every other week occurring on either Thursday evenings, Saturdays, or Sundays.
- From January to June, there will be one tour a month for older adults that liaisons will deliver as a group.
- In total, liaisons can expect to give an average of three tours a month.
Hourly Wage: $18.69
Location: Henry Art Gallery – University of Washington Seattle Campus
Instructor: Danielle Khleang, Programs Manager – Henry Art Gallery
About: The Henry Art Liaison program is a year-long internship beginning in autumn quarter open to University of Washington students of any major from across all three campuses.
The main role of a Henry Art Liaisons is to lead public tours that connect students, intergenerational audiences, affinity groups, and the general public with the concepts and conversations found within the museum’s exhibitions and beyond. Interns receive mentorship and training to lead engagements that prioritize the co-creation of knowledge about art by inviting museum visitors to connect their lived experiences to the exhibitions.
With the lenses of equity, antiracist museum practices, and collaborative learning, liaisons develop abilities in contemporary art interpretation and community engagement.
They will also gain valuable professional skills such as office communication, accountability, and time management. The core learning outcomes for liaisons include:
- A foundational understanding of current debates surrounding the role and implications of museums in society.
- Growing art interpretation and visual analysis skills that critically connect visual culture to sociopolitical and personal events.
- Internship-level experience facilitating community-centered museum engagements.
- Behind-the-scenes knowledge of museum operations across departments.
- Increased public speaking, professional communication, and project execution capabilities through experience and training.
Additionally, with the support of the program manager, all interns complete the Community Engagement Project (CEP). The CEP is an opportunity to own conceptualizing, planning, and implementing a museum engagement for an affinity group of the liaison’s choosing that will culminate in a report that is published on the Henry’s website.
Students in all majors are encouraged to apply. Please email your letter of interest, résumé (may include past and current coursework), and contact information for 2 faculty or professional references to contact-programs@henryart.org by August 15.
