Fall 2012: Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center internship opportunities for UA students

by Michelle Saport  |   

Note: The deadlines for these spring 2013 internships have passed. Stay tuned for future opportunities.

The University of Alaska Foundation and Smithsonian Institution are accepting applications from University of Alaska undergraduate and graduate students (Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau) for internship positions at the Smithsonian's Arctic Studies Center (ASC) at the Anchorage Museum.

Students in many programs including anthropology, Alaska Native studies, history, journalism, English, education and arts may qualify for specific internships, depending on the skills required. Interns will assist the ASC with community-based cultural research, linguistic documentation, archaeology, museum programs, media and educational outreach. Many projects make use of the collections presented in the Smithsonian/Anchorage Museum exhibition "Living Our Cultures, Sharing Our Heritage: The First Peoples of Alaska." Part-time internships (16 hours per week for ten weeks) will be offered during the spring and fall semesters, and full-time internships (40 hours per week for ten weeks) during summer session.

Internship opportunities for spring 2013
Upcoming semester internships include documentary films intern and education intern. Both internships will be ten weeks in duration, with a commitment of 16 hours per week. A stipend of $12.50 per hour is offered, with a maximum stipend of $2,000. The stipend will be paid at the end of the internship upon successful completion. Course credits may be arranged by the student through his or her individual department as appropriate but are not included in the internship offer.

Documentary Films Intern
Intern will work with ASC staff to produce short topical video documentaries and language education films.

Duties: Participate in design, set-up, filming, editing and production of finished films documenting cultural and linguistic workshops, consultations with elders, artist events and other research and public programs at the ASC. Assist in film and archival photo research.
Interns will work under the supervision of ASC staff and with Anchorage Museum staff in the Exhibits Media department.

Selection criteria: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student. Proficiency in video production and editing required. Experience and coursework in anthropology and Indigenous cultures preferred.

To apply, please send your application to Dawn Biddison at biddisond@si.edu. Include your resume/CV with relevant coursework and experience, and list what computer programs you have experience using as well as your proficiency level. Also include a one-page cover letter stating the internship you are applying for and why, and note your proposed dates and schedule.

Education Intern
Intern will work with ASC and Anchorage Museum staff to create educational materials and programming for the "Living Our Cultures..." exhibition.

Duties: Participate in development meetings; develop and produce gallery activities; contribute to the production and implementation of guides and tours; and conduct evaluations. Interns will work under the supervision of ASC curators and Anchorage Museum staff in the Education department.

Selection criteria: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student. Experience and coursework in education and Indigenous cultures required. Experience working with digital media required.

To apply, please send your application to Dawn Biddison at biddisond@si.edu. Include your resume/CV with relevant coursework and experience, and list what computer programs you have experience using as well as your proficiency level. Also include a one-page cover letter stating the internship you are applying for and why, and note your proposed dates and schedule.

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