• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

NOW OPEN Heroes: Principles of African Greatness

National Museum of African Art - Smithsonian Institution

  • Home
  • Exhibitions
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibitions
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Learn
    • In the Museum
    • In the Classroom
    • Online Resources
    • Student Gallery
  • Collection
    • Browse the Collection
    • Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives
    • Warren M. Robbins Library
    • Conservation
  • Support Us
    • Membership
    • 2019 African Art Awards
    • Women’s Initiative at the National Museum of African Art
    • Johnnetta Betsch Cole Fund for the Future
    • Corporate Engagement
  • Public Programs
  • About Us
    • Accessibility and Security
    • Advisory Board
    • Augustus Casely-Hayford
    • Further Engagement
    • Museum Store
    • Professional Development
    • Rights and Reproductions
    • Contact Us
  • Host Your Event
  • Museum News
  • Press Room
    • Press Release Archive

Professional Development

Docents

DocentsDocents are trained volunteers who present tours and educational programs to museum audiences, assist in conducting research for the museum, and assist in the museum’s public programs. For information about African Art’s docent program, contact Sonia Zambe at 202.633.4641 or e-mail zambes@si.edu.

Interested in being a Docent?

Are you interested in getting involved as a volunteer docent at the National Museum of African Art? Please fill out the form below and you may be contacted by a museum staff member when new docent training is scheduled. Thank you!
Click here to see the FormClose

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Telephone (required)

Why are you interested in volunteering at the National Museum of African Art?

Please prioritize your interest in the type of volunteer positions available (1 is most interested, 5 is least):

Conducting tours: This opportunity involves giving tours of the museum's collections and temporary exhibitions to walk-in visitors and pre-scheduled groups, which may include school groups of various age levels and special tours for VIPs.

Researching special topics: This opportunity involves working with museum staff to assist in performing research on topics as needed for exhibitions or programming.

Assisting with public programs: This opportunity involves assisting in staffing public programs such as lectures or performances.

Assisting with our cart programs: This opportunity involves engaging walk-in visitors in conversation through mobile carts containing teaching objects, images, and activities.

Working the reception desk: This opportunity involves responding to visitor questions and needs and providing information on the museum's collections and exhibitions.

Volunteers are required to serve 60 hours per year. Please describe your typical availability during the week: weekdays and/or weekends, mornings and/or afternoons.

Do you have any personal or professional experience in Africa? Please describe.

Do you speak any language other than English? If yes, please list, along with level of fluency in 1.) speaking, 2.) reading, and 3.) writing.

What level of comfort and/or experience do you have with art history?

Do you have any experience in public speaking or teaching? Please describe.

Do you have any experience working with youth? Please describe.

Please enter the letters and/or numbers in the box below: captcha

Internships

Interns
Curatorial interns examine a Dan mask with Chief Curator and Deputy Director Christine Mullen Kreamer (center).
Thank you for your interest in interning at the National Museum of African Art! Internships at the museum are mentor-based, experiential-learning opportunities open to those interested in exploring museum professions. Internship opportunities are available in the following departments: Conservation, Curatorial, Development, Editorial, Education, Exhibits, Photographic Archives, Public Affairs, and Registration. More detailed information about each department can be found below. Candidates should have a background in art history, anthropology, museum studies, African studies, or a related discipline. Internships are for a minimum ten-week period and are available on both a full- and part-time schedule. For more information about internship opportunities at the National Museum of African Art, please contact Internship Coordinator Sarah Holmes at 202.633.1063 or at holmess@si.edu.

Interested in applying? Applications are processed through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).

Deadlines
Summer Application Deadline: March 1
Fall Application Deadline: July 1
Winter/Spring Application Deadline: November 1

Photographic Archives

The Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives is responsible for the management and preservation of the museum’s photographic collections pertaining to African art and cultural history. In addition to conducting basic research, interns identify photographs and catalogue collections according to a standardized classification system. Interns learn archival techniques for processing, accessioning, rehousing and digitizing photographic materials. Interns must be computer literate, have good organizational skills and the ability to do detailed work. Knowledge of Africa or African art and experience with archival, library or photographic materials is helpful.

Conservation Department

Visit the Museum’s Conservation page.

Education Department

The department administers the museum’s educational programs. It develops educational materials, coordinates the work of docents (volunteer tour guides) and interns, and sponsors films, performances, workshops, and lectures on many aspects of African art and culture. Interns assist with the daily work and may undertake a variety of projects: research; development of educational materials; assistance in the docent program; and assistance with the management of selected special events and performances.

Curatorial Department

The Curatorial Department oversees research, organizes exhibitions, responds to public enquiries, and makes recommendations concerning museum acquisitions. Interns work directly with curators on specific research topics related to objects and to future exhibitions. Knowledge of research methods is required. Knowledge of African arts and cultures is desirable, as is foreign language ability and coursework in art history.

Exhibits Department

The Exhibits Department is responsible for the design and fabrication of the museum’s exhibitions. Interns in this department have the opportunity to assist the design staff in the development of exhibitions and related graphics. They may also work with the production staff in the fabrication of exhibitions. Applicants interested in working on exhibition design must have skills in architectural, industrial, or graphic design, and must submit a portfolio of their work. Those who wish to assist the museum’s production staff in the fabrication of exhibitions must have training in the visual arts. Technical skills in silkscreening, photography, or carpentry are helpful.

Fellowships

The Smithsonian Institution offers fellowships through the Office of Fellowships & Internships. To discuss possible research topics at African Art, contact curator Christine Kreamer at 202.633.4624 or e-mail kreamerc@si.edu.

Smithsonian fellowships.

Volunteers

For information about volunteer opportunities at African Art and throughout the Smithsonian, visit the Smithsonian Volunteer FAQ site.

Employment

For information about employment opportunities at African Art and throughout the Smithsonian, visit the Smithsonian Institution Career Center.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Public Programs

« December 2019 » loading...
S M T W T F S
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
Sat 07

Kwanzaa 2019

December 7 @ 11:30 am - 4:30 pm

2019: Smithsonian Year of Music

Girl in a jacket

Here at the National Museum of African Art we will be celebrating our musical resources across history, art, culture and education.

You can find all of this year’s #SmithsonianMusic events and online offerings at music.si.edu

Listen here to the sounds of a continent rich with creativity, power, and enchantment. Radio Africa offers hours of tracks including field recordings from remote villages, voices of political protest, and songs from emerging Afro-pop artists and is a collaboration between Smithsonian Folkways and the National Museum of African Art.

Listen Now

Translate

Donate

Thank you for choosing to donate to support the programs at the National Museum of African Art

Enter amount of your donation:
Numbers only. Do not include “$”

Footer

Sign up for our Newsletter

Follow Us

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Mission Statement

To inspire conversations about the beauty, power, and diversity of African arts and cultures worldwide.

Location, Hours, and Admission

950 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20560
202.633.4600
202.357.4879 (fax)
Email
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily except December 25. Admission is FREE!

Pages

  • Home
  • Exhibitions
  • Learn
  • Collection
  • Support Us
  • Public Programs
  • About the Museum
  • Host Your Event
  • Museum News
  • Press Room

Copyright © 2019 Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.

Privacy | Copyright | 202.633.4600 | africa.si.edu

stickers

You are now a Member of the National Museum of African Art at the FREE level. Thank you for supporting what we do! You can increase your giving at any point to gain increased access to the museum. Email NMAfAMembership@si.edu with any questions. Thank you!