Classification: Temporary, Part-Time
Compensation: Stipend of $1,800, awarded at the completion of the internship.
Other Information: The duration of this internship will be for the Spring Semester 2024 (mid-January to mid-May). The schedule will be 10 hours per week and may vary based on project needs. Must attend General Orientation on January 12, 2024. Must be available March 11-31, 2024.
To view a PDF version of this job description, please click here.
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMoD), is a unique public/private partnership that engages visitors in an innovative learning environment. As Northern Colorado’s only AAM accredited museum (American Alliance of Museums), and only ASTC-affiliated museum (Association of Science-Technology Centers), FCMoD occupies a pivotal space in the cultural and educational life of our region and creates extraordinary opportunities for visitors to engage with experiences that explore the interplay of science and culture in ways that are deeply relevant to our community, our geography, and our shared history.
FCMoD promotes a team environment where curiosity, not certainty, informs our work. The Museum Coordinator, Engagement will utilize this mindset to successfully cultivate relationships, foster collaboration, and support a culture of trust with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
The Museum Coordinator, Engagement provides leadership and support for FCMoD’s visitor engagement, spanning from individuals to families of all structures, to community partner organizations. Visitor engagement is supported through on-site experiences focused on in-gallery engagement, youth centered initiatives such as our youth advisory board (the MoD Squad), and in-community endeavors.
Description of the Internship:
The ¡Alebrijes! Project Intern is part of a community engagement internship, which focuses on bilingual immersion in English and Spanish, community collaboration, program development, exhibition planning, and encouraging cultural understanding for all.
FCMoD is hosting esteemed and respected artists Óscar Becerra Mora and Rubén Mica from Mexico City, MX to participate in a collaborative project with the Fort Collins community in 2023 and 2024. The museum will host two engagements (Phase I and II) with the artists and the public to build community, celebrate culture, learn about exhibit creation, and create art, together.
With Phase I of this project completed at the start of the internship, Phase II will consist of planning and executing a 3-week long artist residency from March 11 – 31, 2024. During this time, with the artists-in-residence, FCMoD will host multiple onsite programs and workshops to engage the community in creating a culminating exhibition and community experience.
According to the Mexican Cultural Center based in Denver, Colorado:
“Alebrijes are Mexico’s version of the fantastical figures that have long been part of the collective imagination of cultures around the world. These creations are represented in many cultures in diverse forms such as gargoyles in Gothic Cathedrals, dragons in Asian cultures, feathered serpents in Meso-America, and various creatures in Greek mythology and Persian and Egyptian religious traditions. In Mexico, with its rich biodiversity, folk art, and craftsmanship, alebrijes have found a unique home and a distinct look. They are represented as colorful creatures with features such as wings, horns, tails, and rooster feet.”
The ¡Alebrijes! Project Intern will serve as an integral support for the museum in executing deliverables related to execution of workshop, events, and hosting of the artists. The intern has the unique opportunity to “focus” on a particular project area: exhibition development, documentation and communication, program development & engagement, or some combination of all. Intern will need to reflect on their experience in a report.
Skills Learned:
- Ability to create and foster relationships with community partners and organizations.
- Project-based budget keeping and records management.
- Collaboration with a team of Museum staff, volunteers, traveling artists, community partners, and community members.
- Educational program development for variety of age levels.
- Execution of several types of event planning and support including event preparation, event set-up/tear down, and supply ordering/purchasing.
- Management of volunteers.
- Evaluation and documentation of project processes, program effectiveness.
- Developing knowledge of cultural awareness & belonging, as well as multi-cultural and multi-ethnic identities.
Desired Skills:
- Eagerness to learn, strong learning orientation.
- Is responsible & dependable.
- Has a friendly and approachable demeanor; experience in customer service a plus.
- Ability to develop and facilitate programs and events for a wide variety of audiences.
- Experience in community-based work with diverse groups.
- Ability to clearly communicate, both verbal and written, in Spanish and English language.
- Proficiency in coordinating schedules and itineraries.
- Demonstrated organizational skills, with high attention to detail.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 Suite, Microsoft Teams.
Qualifications:
- Must pass a basic background check and be at least 18 years old.
- Must have reliable transportation to and from the Museum, as well as other program locations in Fort Collins.
- Must be proficient in English and Spanish languages.
- Completed at least two semesters in higher education in a related field such as museum studies, education, art, art history, ethnic studies, etc., or equivalent experience.
We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements in this internship description but may only meet some of the qualifications. We encourage applicants to apply if much of this job description describes them. As part of our commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we invest in building teams with various backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the intern is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The intern frequently is required to stand, walk, and use hands to handle, feel or motion. The intern is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel crouch or crawl. The intern must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. FCMoD adheres to requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:
Driver’s license or ID card issued by a State or territory of the United States is required.
Compensation and Benefits
- Classification: Temporary, part-time
- Compensation will be a stipend of $1,800
- This internship is not eligible for benefits
Application Process:
Interested applicants can apply by filling out the ¡Alebrijes! Community Engagement Project Intern application at fcmod.org/jobs. Applicants should be prepared to upload a digital letter of interest and provide one reference. If there is a need, materials can be submitted to Jessica Garfio, Volunteer and Internship Coordinator at jgarfio@fcmod.org. Applications will be reviewed, and selected candidates will be interviewed. Hiring is conditional upon a successful background check.