The Arkell Museum is pleased to announce a paid internship opportunity for the summer of 2025; this is a ten-week internship in collections primarily for museum studies graduate students who have completed at least one year of a two-year program. Applications from recent museum program graduates or undergraduates with commensurate experience who are entering a museum studies graduate program will be considered.
The collections internship provides a dynamic learning experience in a supportive environment. You will participate fully in workplace activities and be expected to work independently as a contributing team member; you will have the opportunity to work closely with staff and outside museum professionals to hone practices and gain new skills. You will make important contributions to the museum.
Projects will include a balance of cataloguing and housing new acquisitions; handling registration paperwork; exhibit development, research, and writing; collections research, digital photography, and cataloging; and exploration of digitization for public access. The intern will also have the opportunity to focus on a project that benefits the collection and current need, but is of specific personal/academic interest.
The Arkell Museum is noted for an impressive fine art collection that includes work by 19th and early 20th century American artists, and 21 works by Winslow Homer alone. The museum also owns the substantial Beech-Nut Archive, and objects/ephemera related to Mohawk Valley history. The collections intern will work primarily with the fine art collection, but may have the opportunity to work with the Beech-Nut Archive and/or the Mohawk Valley collection.
The Arkell Museum is nearly equidistant between Utica and Albany, NY (about 45 minutes from each), and is minutes from NYS Thruway exit 29.
This is an onsite internship. The intern must commit to being fully present and onsite for the duration of the internship. They are not permitted to take courses, or hold/accept additional jobs or internships that coincide with their scheduled internship work hours. The intern will be directly supervised by the Curator of Exhibitions & Collections or the Executive Director.
The successful applicant will have superior investigative research and writing skills, some cataloging experience, the ability to work independently, familiarity with Past Perfect (or similar program), and the desire to learn through experience while making a difference for the Arkell Museum.
This internship is fulltime and offers some flexibility:
June 10 – August 19, 2025
Ten weeks with one week off or adjusted start/end date
Four days per week (T-F); 28 hours per week
Total stipend $4,480
To apply, send a cover letter, resume with two professional references to: humanresources@arkellmuseum.org
(one may be a current or former professor/instructor), and three writing samples (the strongest samples will indicate evidence of primary and/or secondary source research).
Human Resources
Arkell Museum & Canajoharie Library
2 Erie Boulevard
Canajoharie, NY 13317
www.arkellmuseum.org
www.canajoharielibrary.org
Application Deadline: April 11, 2025 5:00 PM
This internship is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature
The Canajoharie Library & Arkell Museum Front Desk Clerks are responsible for creating an inviting atmosphere and offering excellent customer service at the Library circulation and Museum admission desks. Front Desk Clerks are the first line of service and represent the Library and Museum to the public. Clerks are supervised by the Library Director.
Desirable Education and Experience:
High School graduate or equivalent with applicable, documented work experience
Some Business School or Junior College desirable
Excellent customer service skills and an appreciation for reading, education, and the arts is highly desirable
Clerks must pass background checks
Schedule and Wages:
$15.50, 20 hrs/wk on average
Every other Saturday and Sunday
General Duties:
Place the patron and visitor first; actively greet and interact with all arriving patrons and visitors
Provide patrons and visitors with information regarding Library and Museum programs and services
Maintain a clean, well-stocked, and organized workstation
Write a report of any incident occurring on Library/Museum property
Professionally answer the phone, provide information, and transfer calls as necessary
Perform opening and closing duties
Record automatic door count and reset at closing
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Library Duties:
Assist in creating a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons
Operate Polaris computer system to perform routine patron transactions such as placing holds, checking materials in/out, updating registration, and registering new library cards.
Collect and process replacement and other fees.
Use the CASSIE system to print patron requests and collect fees for printing.
Assist patrons in locating library materials and offer basic reference support using print and online sources.
Provide computer support to patrons including assistance with public computers, online catalog access, downloadable audiobooks and ebooks, etc.
Print out and fill daily library holds list.
Check-in MVLS hold bins and call patrons who have holds.
Maintain Library collection through shelving and shelf reading of materials.
Assist Library Director with programs as needed
Museum Duties:
Open the Galleries upon arrival; close Galleries at end of day
Introduce the exhibits and point out gallery locations
Point out Museum rules as appropriate, particularly concerning no touching, food or drink, or photography
Assist in creating a safe environment for visitors and the collection through monitoring gallery security cameras
Perform scheduled Gallery walkthroughs; report problems to Facilities and appropriate staff
Operate Revel POS sales system for admission fees, memberships, Gift Shop, and Regional Art Gallery purchases
Operate cash drawer
Desk Clerks work as a team to ensure adequate desk coverage; all Clerks are trained in both Library and Museum duties for ease of daily operations and staff scheduling; all Clerks are expected to work as a team and at both desks with equal ease. The ideal candidate will demonstrate continuous efforts to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly with other staff members to provide seamless customer service.
To apply for this position, email a cover letter and resume, or explanation of your education and experience, and contact information for three professional references:
humanresources@arkellmuseum.org
Or stop by and fill out an application:
Canajoharie Library & Arkell Museum
2 Erie Boulevard
Canajoharie, NY 13317
