Elizabeth M. and P. T. Reilly Exhibit Internship
Position type: Internship
Location requirements: Onsite, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
Job description: Job Vacancy Number: 9612268#
Position Overview
Northern Arizona University’s Cline Library invites applications for the 2025 Elizabeth M. and P. T. Reilly Internship. The intern will work closely with Special Collections and Archives (SCA) staff to develop a photographic exhibition showcasing images from the David Muench Photography records. The Reilly internship is an opportunity for the intern to research, curate, and design both a virtual online exhibit and a physical display which will launch in October 2025.
The David Muench Photography records, acquired by SCA in 2022, document Muench’s 70-year career in landscape photography. Muench is best known for his work in the American West, including his numerous collaborations with the National Park Service and his contributions to Arizona Highways. The David Muench Photography records encompass thousands of physical and digital images created by Muench as well as associated business records and other materials.
SCA envisions the exhibit as representing highlights from David Muench’s photographic career, including selections from his most iconic images. The intern will select 16 to 18 images from the collection highlighting the distinctive aspects of Muench’s work. They will assume primary responsibility for researching and writing content for the physical display and virtual exhibit, bearing in mind that past online exhibits are preserved for long-term online enjoyment. The intern will collaborate with SCA staff to design and prepare for the installation of the physical display in SCA’s gallery space on the second floor of Cline Library. The intern may also assist in the design of satellite exhibits in other locations.
SCA is one of the most comprehensive repositories of Colorado Plateau history and culture. SCA’s 600+ unique archival collections contain millions of photographs, correspondence, journals, maps, films, and oral histories that document the human and natural history of the Colorado Plateau from a variety of perspectives from the 19th century to the present. The Reilly internship supports NAU’s 100% Career Ready strategic initiative and recognizes the importance of the eight NACE career readiness competencies. By collaborating closely with SCA staff to conceptualize and execute the exhibition, the 2025 Reilly intern will establish collegial relationships with information professionals and gain insight into the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) field.
Learning Objectives
- Research using archival (primary source) and published materials
- Selection and curation of photographic images
- Collaborative, team-based exhibit planning and preparation
- Schematic exhibit design for the physical exhibit, text design, installation preparation
- Website design, website creation, and digital exhibit design
Duties and Responsibilities
- With the support of site supervisors and other SCA staff, the Reilly intern will conduct research utilizing the David Muench Photography records and the David Muench Research Library, leading to a highly selective representation of images for inclusion in a physical display. The images will include selections from original framed items from the collection.
- To complement the physical display, the Reilly intern will develop a companion virtual exhibit using WordPress. The virtual exhibit will offer a narrative overview of Muench’s photographic career and provide additional context for selected images, helping the intern gain valuable digital storytelling skills. The intern may draw on other archival collections or published resources to develop the virtual exhibit.
- The intern will create and write exhibit text for the virtual and physical exhibits. They will assist in the design and layout of text for the physical exhibit, primarily the exhibit title and object identification labels or brief captions.
- The intern will collaborate with SCA staff members to determine appropriate display locations and conditions for original framed material from the collection. The intern will learn about light exposure, light control, and other damage and risk factors related to exhibition.
- The intern will assist with preparatory work for the installation of the physical exhibit. These tasks include determining the desired layout of selected images and working with SCA staff to support the fabrication and printing of exhibit text and images.
- The intern will gain insights into budgeting for exhibitions through conversations with SCA staff regarding fabrication costs.
- The intern may assist in the design of satellite exhibits in other locations, such as Scholar’s Corner in Cline Library.
- The intern may assist SCA staff with the identification and ingestion of born digital material for the exhibit into the Colorado Plateau Digital Collections (a CONTENTdm instance). Through collaborations with SCA staff regarding digital material in the collection, the intern will gain insights into digital asset management in a library or archival setting.
- The intern will gain skills in clear, organized, written and verbal communication to report their work progress and processes to SCA staff and to coordinate work tasks.
- In conducting research for the exhibit, the intern will employ critical thinking strategies to gather and analyze information from diverse sources, including archival collections, published materials, and other resources held by SCA and Cline Library.
- The intern will be expected to demonstrate dependability, prioritize and complete assigned work tasks, and show attention to detail in all work products.
Internship Length
The Reilly internship will run for 10 consecutive weeks between May and August 2025, with specific dates based upon the successful candidate’s availability. The successful candidate will work with the site supervisors to establish a start and end date for the internship upon acceptance of the position. The workweek schedule offers some flexibility, but in general the intern will be expected to work 40 hours per week: 32 hours onsite during SCA’s summer hours of Monday-Thursday 8 AM – 5 PM, and 8 hours of offsite remote work on Friday.
Compensation and Housing
- The pay rate for the Reilly internship is $17.25 per hour (non-benefits eligible), 40 hours/week, not to exceed $7,000 in total.
- This is an onsite internship. The successful candidate must be willing to relocate to Flagstaff for 10 weeks and underwrite their own food, lodging, and transportation.
- On-campus housing is subject to availability. For more information, please consult https://nau.edu/campus-living/summer-housing/. Renting a room in the community is also a possibility.
Position Qualifications
Education Requirements
The preferred candidate will be a highly motivated and organized undergraduate or graduate student in photography, communication studies, art history, museum studies, or a related field working toward a career in a gallery, library, archives, or museum setting. Students are required to be currently enrolled in an accredited program with an anticipated completion date of August 2025 or later.
Minimum Qualifications
- Current undergraduate or graduate student with a program completion date of August 2025 or later.
- Minimum GPA of 2.0.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with or demonstrated interest in learning web design and virtual exhibit tools such as WordPress, Wix, Weebly, Omeka, etc.
- Coursework in photography, visual communication, communication studies, art history, fine arts, or museum studies.
- Excellent research and written communication skills; ability to synthesize and present key information succinctly.
- Experience with or interest in curatorial work and/or exhibit development in a gallery, library, archives, or museum (GLAM) context.
- Strong project management skills, including goal setting, time management, verbal and written communication with team members, and critical thinking, as evidenced through previous educational, extracurricular, or work experience.
- Federal Work-Study eligible students are encouraged to apply.
Application Instructions
Application Deadline
Application deadline: February 27, 2025 by 11:59 pm MST.
Application Guidelines
To apply, please submit the following documents:
- Letter of application addressing your qualifications for and interest in the position, including links to any previous relevant projects you have created/designed, with an emphasis on how the position will support or advance your studies and/or career path.
- A writing sample of approximately 100-200 words, providing an example of exhibit text for an image featured on the David Muench Photography website (davidmuenchphotography.com). You may utilize various resources to prepare your text, including the website itself, Wikipedia, interviews with David Muench, etc. Please include a bullet list of sources utilized to prepare your text at the end of your writing sample. Include your writing sample in the same document as your letter of application.
- Resume or vita which details relevant coursework, work experience, and includes names and contact information for three references.
- Copy of current transcript (can be unofficial).
Current NAU students should apply via Handshake: https://nau.joinhandshake.com/jobs/9612268
All other applicants should submit application materials to Library.StudentJobs@nau.edu.
Contact Information
Contact Sam Meier with any questions regarding the position or requirements for application materials: Samantha.Meier@nau.edu or 928-523-5811.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples. EEO Law Poster NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.
