The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 10:00 pm CDT

Position Summary
The department of Academic Engagement and Research is excited to invite current undergraduate students to apply to our McMullan Family Foundation Summer Intensive program.

The Summer Intensive is a weeklong program introducing undergraduate students to museum professions through workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, field trips, and networking events. The 2023 program focuses on the theme of “The Museum Space,” which considers the museum’s relationship to real and imagined environments, both within and outside of its physical footprint. This year’s iteration puts particular emphasis on collaboration, networks, and community, while engaging with exhibitions that will be on view featuring work by artists such as Gio Swaby, Kwame Brathwaite, Peter Hujar, Lui Shou-Kwan, Van Gogh, and more.

Students who complete the Summer Intensive are eligible to apply for a two-year fellowship at the museum, a paid part-time opportunity to pursue alongside their academic studies.

Duration and Format of the Program:
Dates: Monday, June 12, 2023–Saturday, June 17, 2023
Times: 9:00am–5:00pm each day
Location: The Art Institute of Chicago
Format: In-Person

Summer Intensive Outcomes:
As a participant of the McMullan Family Foundation Summer Intensive, you will:

• Learn from museum staff about their roles as well as those of a diverse range of other art professionals
• Investigate conceptual questions that currently face the collecting, research, and art museum field more broadly
• Experience a behind-the-scenes look at hands-on museum work
• Explore different museum career paths
• Exercise research, writing, and presentation skills centered on art museum work
• Become part of a growing network of emerging scholars and professionals

Eligibility:

• Undergraduates who are currently enrolled at a university, college, or community college
• Applicants who are able to attend the weeklong event in its entirety, from June 12–17, 2023.
• Undergraduates who, if selected as a fellow following the Summer Intensive, can commit to two years on-site in the program with graduation planned for May 2025 or a later date. Typically participants in the summer program are current first- or second-year students and/or nontraditional students with two years of undergraduate study remaining.
• Applicants who are eligible to work in the United States (including individuals currently on student visas) and able to physically access the museum for the duration of the program.

• Applicants must demonstrate an interest in learning more about museums and how museums work, art and art history, and the wide range of career paths in the museum field. Previous coursework or job experience in these fields is a plus, but not required.

• Applicants who are based or attending school in the Midwest or Chicagoland area will be prioritized.

• Applicants who aim to support the goal of promoting inclusive museums that showcase a multiplicity of voices, perspectives, and identities, and who would benefit from the unique support and access that this opportunity provides.

Stipend and Housing:

Participants will be given a stipend the week before the program begins to assist them for the duration of the program.

We encourage all participants to stay in SAIC student housing provided as part of the program. Each participant will be given a single-person room. Student housing is walking distance to the museum and will enable participants to reach the museum in a timely manner each morning, while also allowing space to connect with their cohort and work on assignments together after hours.

Check in for SAIC student housing will occur the Sunday before the program begins, while check out will happen the Sunday after the program concludes.

Application Review and Selection Process:

We expect to accept 15 students into the program. Applicants will be notified via email whether or not they have been accepted by Friday, April 7, 2023 at 5:00 pm CDT.

Summer Intensive participants will be eligible to apply for the undergraduate fellowship after attending the Summer Intensive. It is not possible to apply for the fellowship without participating in the Summer Intensive.

Application Instructions

All of the following application materials, including the Google Form and Letter of Recommendation, must be submitted no later than Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 10:00 pm CDT.

1. PLEASE FILL OUT ALL FIELDS IN THIS GOOGLE FORM: https://tinyurl.com/2023SummerIntensive

2. ONE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Applicants must have one confidential letter of recommendation. A letter of recommendation can be submitted by faculty at your college or university or by current or past employers who are familiar with your skills and abilities.

Recommenders are asked to explain how this program would help the applicant in their academic and career pursuits.

The letter of recommendation must be submitted via email to aerdept@artic.edu by Tuesday, February 28 at 10:00 PM CDT. The recommendation must come directly from the recommender’s institutional e-mail, it should be a word document or pdf file, and the email subject line should state “APPLICANT NAME-2023 SUMMER INTENSIVE PROGRAM.”

Recommenders are welcome to address their letter to the Department of Academic Engagement and Research located at 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60603, however we will only accept emailed letters of recommendation for review.

3. APPLICATION DOCUMENT

Compile the following materials into one pdf document and list your last name and “Summer Intensive” in the title of the file (example: [LAST NAME]_SummerIntensive.pdf.)

In lieu of a traditional cover letter or personal statement, please respond to the following questions in three short essays (no more than 250 words per answer.) We encourage you to provide specific examples to support your answers or to illustrate your ideas:

• Contact information (phone number, email, current mailing address, and permanent address)
• Current major
• Cumulative GPA. If your school does not follow a GPA system, please indicate “GPA not available, pass/fail system.”
• Expected graduation date
• Relevant employment and volunteer experiences
• Computer and language skills
• Name and contact information (phone and email) of the person who is submitting your letter of recommendation.

Please provide unofficial transcripts for your entire undergraduate career, including the college or university you currently attend and any you may have previously attended.

Vaccination Expectation

Becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 is the most important contribution we as individuals can make to ensure our own safety and the safety of our museum and school community. All employees must complete an attestation and provide proof of their vaccination status, or request a medical or religious exemption within the first week of employment.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.