Special Events Internship – MFA

October 29, 2024

Website Museum of Fine Arts

Special Events Intern – Spring 2025

Special Events is responsible for the planning of all events supporting the external relations division, special exhibition opening events, and project management of Museum-wide events in collaboration with departments across the institution, including those noted below:

  • MFA First Fridays – a social event with music, dancing, art making, and more on the first Friday of select months.
  • Art in Bloom – the Museum’s annual celebration of art and flowers, taking place throughout the Museum, pairing art from ancient to contemporary with interpretive floral designs.

The Special Events department seeks an enthusiastic intern to assist the Special Events team with a variety of event related functions.  The successful candidate will gain firsthand knowledge of the behind-the-scenes process of executing a host of events at a major cultural institution, with a primary focus on the orchestration and execution of Art in Bloom.

Under the supervision of Director of Special Events, the intern will have the opportunity to engage with staff members throughout the Museum.  These departments range from curatorial and conservation, learning and community engagement, member and visitor services, facilities, and many more. This internship provides hands-on experience in event management, teamwork, and communication skills.

The selected intern will gain hands-on experience in event planning and management, while acquiring practical experience with widely used development database software. They will develop critical thinking and multi-tasking skills as well as an understanding of cross departmental collaboration and effective networking with industry professionals. Additionally, they will develop a strong rapport with working museum professionals in addition to those in other fields and will engage with a diverse pool of volunteers.

The intern must commit to work onsite 12-15 hours per week, (within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters), from Jan 24 through May 5, 2025, including attendance at the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course from 12:30-2:30pm on the following Fridays: Jan 31; Feb 7; Feb 14; Feb 21; Feb 28; Apr 4; Apr 11; and Apr 18. 

The intern will be paid at a rate of $16.80 per hour and will receive a $90 per month transportation subsidy. (*The subsidy is subject to taxes.)

As we amplify our efforts toward becoming a truly inclusive institution, ensuring that diversity, equity, and access are lived values, we actively encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply to the program.

Essential Functions:

  • Art in Bloom
    • Support the logistics of garden club and professional designer implementation.
    • Manage inventory of supplies and materials needed for arranger day orientation and Art in Bloom.
    • Assist with event setup for arranger day orientation and over the course of Art in Bloom (May 1 – 4, 2025)
    • Work closely with the events team and volunteers, providing support where needed.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of special events, including assistance with the invitation creation process, tracking RSVPs, and welcoming attendees.
  • Attend events to provide on-site support, including setup, registration, and troubleshooting.
  • Input RSVPs into Tessitura (donor database); send RSVP acknowledgement emails and event follow ups
  • Perform administrative tasks as required.

Qualifications

  • Enrolled in an undergraduate academic program concurrent with the internship period.
  • Interest in learning more about the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and contributing to the Special Events department.
  • Professionalism while representing the MFA at events.
  • Detail-oriented and efficient, with an ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Creative, open-minded, patient, reliable, and flexible.
  • Previous office experience and high-level of comfort with Microsoft Office, including Excel, preferred.
  • Excellent organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
  • Excellent correspondence, in writing, person, and by phone.
  • Ability to work onsite 12 – 15 hours per week, (within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters), from Jan 24 through May 5, 2025, including attendance at the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course from 12:30-2:30pm on the following Fridays: Jan 31; Feb 7; Feb 14; Feb 21; Feb 28; Apr 4; Apr 11; and 
    Apr 18.
  • Ability to attend orientation on Fri, Jan 24, 2025, 10am to 3:30pm.

How to Apply

  1. Combine your cover letter and resume into a single document, (Word or PDF). The cover letter must include all of the following:
    • the title of the internship for which you are applying (one internship per application)
    • how the named internship fits into your academic and/or career goals
    • why your specific skills/experience/interests qualify you for the internship
    • any periods when you are not available for an in-person interview
    • your contact information including e-mail and daytime phone
  • DO NOT INCLUDE any additional documents unless specifically requested within the description
  1. Save your document file as (LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_POSITIONTITLE_Spring2025)
  2. Upload the single document as your resume via the ADP portal Internships | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston ASAP before December 3, 2024.
  3. Candidates may apply for no more than two internships per season, and must submit a separate cover letter/resume document for each position.
  4. **Direct any/all questions to: [email protected] before submitting your application. Applications not conforming to these guidelines may be deemed ineligible.

To apply for this job please visit www.mfa.org.