History of Art Majors & Minors are invited to apply for a funding award to support their work in a summer internship in a museum or related institution such as a gallery or auction house. The driving assumption is that the experience of working in such institutions can be life-changing, sometimes helping students to decide on a career path (and enabling them to create a strong dossier), but always allowing them to gain an understanding of how institutions work that is applicable to many professions and pursuits.
Terms of the Scholarship
The “History of Art Scholarship for Summer Internships” is a merit-based scholarship. Applications will be assessed on the basis of students’ academic record and their interest in gaining hands-on experience as a supplement to their coursework in art history. The scholarship is especially intended for those exploring the possibilities of a career in museum work or a related profession.
The award ranges from $1500 to $5000 for the summer. Lower sums are awarded if the internship is partially funded or if the applicant has made arrangements for rent-free lodging. Higher sums are available if the internship is unpaid or if a student must pay for housing. The length of the internship is also taken into consideration.
Students must secure an internship before applying for the scholarship. For help in locating internships, students are encouraged to speak with HISTART advisers and consult the LSA Opportunity Hub.
Internships must be at least one month in duration. Students must develop a work plan with a representative of the museum (or other institution) prior to the beginning of the internship.
Option: Students may elect to receive course credit for academic work connected with their internship. To do so they must make arrangements in advance with the Director of Undergraduate Study and enroll in one, two, or three credits (depending on the length of the internship) in either HISTART 299 or 399. HISTART 299, “Experiential Study,” is a non-graded (CR/NC) course. HISTART 399, “Independent Study,” is graded, and the student must work with a faculty member to develop a program of appropriate academic work (e.g., reports, projects, papers). Both HISTART 299 and 399 may be used as electives in the major and the minor. For more information about enrolling in HISTART 299 or 399 in conjunction with an internship, students are encouraged to consult with the department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies during the semester before the beginning of the internship.
Eligibility:
• Undergraduate students who have declared a major or minor in History of Art at the University of Michigan may apply.
• International students are eligible.
• Applicants must be returning to LSA as enrolled students in the fall semester following completion of the internship (graduating seniors are not eligible).
• Students who have a FAFSA on file with the Office of Financial Aid and who are eligible for and receive need-based aid through the Office of Financial Aid must apply first for funding through the LSA Opportunities Hub.
• History of Art majors and minors who are also Museum Studies minors (where a similar funding opportunity exists) may apply through only one of the two programs in a given academic year.
Application:
The application consists of:
• a 1-page statement describing the internship the student wishes to pursue, indicating how the experience fits into a larger program of study and career development
• a brief work plan developed with the museum supervisor
• a brief email from the sponsoring institution confirming the appointment
• a budget indicating basic expenses (e.g. housing, food and travel arrangements) and indicating how the scholarship will help make the internship possible
• if the student plans to enroll in HistArt 299 for credit, an email from the student’s faculty mentor indicating that a program of academic work has been devised and approved by the DUS
The scanned application should be sent by email as a single document with the heading “Internship Scholarship” to Christy Elkins (ccast@umich.edu)
Applications may be submitted at any point in the Winter semester and will be reviewed on a monthly basis by a departmental committee. Funds will be disbursed at the beginning of the Spring term.
