Internship: Collections Intern
Unbound Visual Arts is seeking a detail-oriented Collections Intern to organize and process our growing permanent contemporary art collection. This role offers hands-on experience in managing, documenting, and caring for modern artworks by living artists. You will work closely with our collections team to log new acquisitions, track artwork locations, and maintain digital archives during an exciting phase of growth.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Acquisition Support: Help log new artworks and previous acquisitions into the database. Organize incoming certificates of authenticity, artist notes, and shipping documents.
- Digital Archiving: Photograph artworks and update our collections management system [Artwork Archive] with high-quality images and accurate object details.
- Artist & Artwork Research: Gather biographical data on artists. Research specialized care rules for complex or non-traditional art materials.
- Inventory & Location Tracking: Help conduct physical inventories. Safely update tracking records when art moves between storage, galleries, or framing studios.
- Condition Reporting: Inspect new and existing artworks for damage. Write detailed reports and take close-up photos to track the condition of pieces.
- Other Duties: Carry out other assignments as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Current student or recent graduate in Art History, Fine Arts, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, or a related field.
- Passion for Contemporary Art: Strong interest in current art trends, living artists, and modern art media, such as mixed media, installations, and digital art.
- High Organization: Exceptional eye for detail. Accurate data entry skills are a must.
- Tech Skills: Proficient with database software, spreadsheets, and basic photo editing tools.
- Artwork Handling: Prior experience handling fine art is a plus, but a patient, careful, and gentle touch is required.
HOURS / DURATION / STIPEND
Interns are expected to work for a minimum of three months. Compensation includes a stipend if combined with academic credit, but otherwise the position is unpaid. The ideal start date is January 2027.
TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your interest in contemporary art management to info@unboundvisualarts.org.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 31, 2026
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
A certified 501(c)(3), Unbound Visual Arts (UVA) is dedicated to strengthening Boston’s creative ecosystem through exhibitions, an annual residency, and performances. Since our founding in 2012, we’ve curated exhibitions that examine social, political, and environmental issues, using the arts as educational tools, aesthetic experiments, and prompts for social engagement and action. We primarily showcase the work of Boston-based artists, musicians, and creators, and our mission is to highlight these artists through exhibits and programs that foster community engagement and social change through innovative curatorial strategies.
Image Credit: J. Grace Giordano, Essay, 2026. Photograph: Jessica Hernandez