Opportunities for students

The University of Virginia Art Museum offers many opportunities for students interested in exploring Museum careers; students can become Museum volunteers, receptionists, docents, interns, and fellows. Final Fridays and other Museum events are regularly staffed by student volunteers. Students of all academic interests and years also volunteer in many other departments in the Museum. The Museum employs several students part-time as receptionists. Fourth-year students are eligible to become UIP interns at the Museum and receive academic credit for their part-time work. Graduate students are invited to apply for the Luzak-Linder Graduate Fellowship.

For general information about volunteering, email the Museum's Administrative Manager, Liz Wilcox or call 434.924.7458.

Student receptionists

Each year the Museum's front desk is staffed by several part-time student receptionists who are familiar with the Museum's exhibitions and programs. Openings for these positions are posted on CAVlink.

Curatorial internships

The Curatorial Department of the University of Virginia Art Museum offers two internships per semester and two internships in the summer, June-August. Students seeking a future career in arts institutions or cultural centers will gain valuable hands-on experience working with a team of dedicated professionals.

This internship, with its emphasis on object-oriented research and exhibition design, is often well suited for students pursuing art history, studio arts or architecture degrees. The Curatorial Intern works closely with the Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, the Exhibitions Manager, the Preparator, and members of the Collections staff. Interns will conduct research for the permanent collection and participate in the installation process. This includes but is not limited to framing, matting and mounting works of art; the fabrication of object labels; constructing necessary exhibition furniture. The internship will also entail some clerical duties and attendance at exhibition related lectures and events.

The Curatorial Internship is a competitive unpaid volunteer position. U.Va. students who are interested in gaining credit for this internship during the academic year should go to the UIP website to apply to the program. If you are applying for a UIP internship you must also complete this application:

Download application for Curatorial Internship (pdf) >

Internships in education

The Museum's Education Department offers one UIP internship during the academic year, and one during the summer. Students seeking a future career in arts education or arts administration have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an office that offers a variety of learning opportunities. Internship responsibilities include advertising and registration for Museum education programs, research for and creation of self-guided tours of Museum exhibitions, and program development. Fourth-year students interested in receiving academic credit for their part-time work should apply to the program at www.coopercenter.org/UIP. The Education Department also has other volunteer opportunities for students of all academic interests and years. For information contact the Museum's Education Coordinator, Aimee Hunt or call 434.243.2050.

Student docent program

University student docents are trained in the inquiry method and other museum education techniques, and give tours to U.Va. faculty and students, school groups and community organizations throughout the year. Docents also design tours for various groups, from pre-school children to seniors, assist with the annual Writer's Eye competition, and run Early Visions, an arts-mentoring program for at-risk youth.

After the required Docent Training Course, docents have on-going monthly training with curators, guest speakers and education staff regarding special exhibitions and the permanent collection. As a group, docents occasionally take field trips to other museums. Some docents also attend regional and national docent education conferences.

Docent training courses

The Museum's required 10-week Docent Training Course aims to develop visual literacy, including observational skills and knowledge of the elements of art through investigation of the Museum's collections and current exhibitions. Participants develop public speaking skills, learn techniques for facilitating tours, and acquire knowledge of docent-led programs such as Writer's Eye and Early Visions. Participants complete a qualifying tour at the end of the course.

The Student Docents are an official U.Va. Student Organization, and participating students are now eligible to receive credit for the Docent Training Course through the Student Initiated Course (SIC) program. SICs are offered for Credit/No Credit, which means that students who take the class get credit, but it does not count towards the students' GPA. CR/NC classes cannot be taken to fulfill requirements for a degree, but up to 24 credits of CR/NC may be used towards a degree.

Docent Training Course
Wednesdays, October 28 - December 2 &
February 3 - March 3
2-5 pm

Applications for membership are taken by the Student Docents in September of each academic year. Applications are reviewed by a panel of current members, and this year applicants who are accepted are scheduled for training beginning in October.

Interested students are encouraged to apply in the fall of their second or third year, in order to have at least one full year as an active docent after completing the program. New Fourth years will only be accepted to the program if: a) they are planning to stay on for additional graduate study, or b) there are additional unused spaces in the Docent Training Courses.

To apply to the Student Docents, please contact the Museum's Education Department, or call 434.243.2050.