MAC Internships

PEM was voted one of the nation’s top 10 art museums for children due in large part to the fun and interactive atmosphere of the Art & Nature Center (ANC). The ANC encourages children and their families to appreciate art and learning through educational, hands-on displays. Visitors don’t only look at art in the ANC — they can touch and experience it. Through weekend activities and school programs, children are encouraged to make their own interpretations of art and engage in world cultures throughout the museum. The ANC offers everyone the opportunity to act and learn by experiencing art rather than simply viewing it.

COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS
Research topics, generate programming ideas and help prepare exhibitions in the Art & Nature Center. Greet and help visitors in the ANC and monitor how families interact with the exhibits. Assist with teaching interactive programs, family workshops and weekend art activities. You should have strong people skills and a passion for working with children and families. Administrative tasks include mailings and copying.

HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIPS
Use the Internet and PEM’s Phillips Library to research topics, generate programming ideas and help prepare exhibitions in the Art & Nature Center. Greet and help visitors in the ANC and monitor how families interact with the exhibits. Assist with teaching interactive programs, family workshops and weekend art activities. You should have strong p eople skills and a passion for working with children and families. Administrative tasks include mailings and copying.

PEM’s in-house design department is responsible for print design for marketing campaigns and informational materials: posters, signs, postcards, print advertising and more. You’ll partake in the weekly marketing meetings and learn about the structure of the Marketing Department. Throughout your internship you learn about the different aspects of design, such as print production, proofing and editing, and brand identity.

COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS

• Photography: Work as a photographer’s assistant to the photographers in the Creative Services Department. Learn how a busy digital photography business operates. Assist in the planning, execution and follow-up of photography assignments, help maintain a digital photo collection, assists with file organization, archiving, picture research, image request fulfillment and digital image file preparation. At least two years of coursework in photography or equivalent practical experience working with professional photographers is required. Must be proficient with Adobe Photoshop CS3 or higher and experienced with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Designer: Produce a wide range of printed materials including signs, brochures, fliers and postcards. You must be a skilled designer, proficient in InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator, who can work independently and with a team. We’d prefer to work with a college student nearing completion of a graphics art degree who would like to spend time in the workplace before graduation. You will also help solve design and construction problems related to museum signage, packaging, etc. Interns take a job from conception through printing (including press checks). You must also have good writing skills and be interested in working in an arts/nonprofit environment. Diplomacy skills are an asset.
• Writer/Editor: Work with the Editorial Director and Creative Services staff to write articles or rewrite copy for brochures, invitations, exhibition materials, ads, promotions, the members’ magazine, Web and more. You must have knowledge of and an appreciation for art, excellent writing, reporting and copyediting skills, and familiarity with AP style.

The Development Department is the fundraising and networking arm of PEM. Members of the Development team create and maintain relationships with the community, donors, foundations, government agencies and corporate sponsors to raise money for the museum. Funds go toward exhibitions, educational and community outreach, and special programs. The people who support PEM are invited to special events and have exclusive opportunities to engage with the museum, its curators and executive leadership team.

COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS
Support all aspects of PEM’s Annual Giving Team. Help maintain an accurate donor database by gathering and updating donor mailing addresses and e-mail addresses, as well as data entry. Help plan and work at special donor events (some nights and weekends). Interns perform research and benchmarking projects, gather data and provide competitive analysis. Administrative duties include filing, copying, shredding, and assembling benefit packages, brochures and invitations. Excellent written and oral communication skills, planning and organizational skills required, as well as experience with Microsoft Office.

PEM is more than just a museum. There are banquet halls, historic homes, gardens and state-of-the-art meeting spaces available for rent. People come here to get married, others come for luncheons and some come for corporate meetings or holiday parties. The functions intern works closely with the manager of private functions to make every event the very best it can be.

COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS
In addition to administrative work and industry research, you’ll meet with clients, pre-plan events from the caterer’s and museum’s perspective and work the events themselves. This internship is ideal for an outgoing, organized person interested in the hospitality industry. You will work with clients, vendors, chefs and other departments at the Hawthorne Hotel and PEM. 40 hours per week, with days and hours divided as needed between departments. Weekend evening hours required.

In the Guest Services Department you work with some of the most important people at the museum — the visitors! You communicate directly with guests, helping them get the most from their visit. This may involve working at the information desk or in the admissions area, or admitting visitors into Ying Yu Tang, the Chinese house. Guest Services is a great opportunity for people interested in the hospitality industry. You also get the chance to get to know the museum like no one else!

HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIPS
In the Guest Services Department you work with some of the most important people at the museum — the visitors! You communicate directly with guests, helping them get the most from their visit. This may involve working at the information desk or admitting visitors into Yin Yu Tang, the Chinese house. Guest Services is a great opportunity if you’re interested in the hospitality industry. You also get the chance to get to know the museum like no one else!

The Marketing Department keeps the public apprised of museum exhibitions and programming through advertising (radio, television, Web, newspapers and magazines) and special museum publications. Members of the department write monthly newsletters, research media outlets and promotional partnerships, collect and analyze information gathered from programming and event surveys and represent the museum throughout the area.

COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS
Research and write monthly tourism newsletter, radio spots and e-blasts to PEM subscribers. Support the department with sales, data entry, distributing materials to museum partners and processing donation requests. You should have exemplary communication skills, strong organizational and people skills, attention to detail, a comfortable phone presence and the ability to work independently. You’ll need Internet skills for research, strong office skills and the ability to multi-task.

Not your average store and not your average museum shop. The award-winning Museum Shop sells unique, interesting, fun and unusual items from stylish jackets, chic jewelry and engaging children’s toys to decorative home decor.

HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIPS

Provide friendly and courteous service to shop customers. You’ll operate the computer system to transact sales, handle telephone inquiries, mail order and special orders, help unpack and stock incoming merchandise and attend regular staff meetings. Interns gain first-hand knowledge of basic business practices and merchandising techniques in a museum store. Some computer experience is necessary. You must be able to lift 30 pounds and perform light housekeeping duties.

The Integrated Media Department uses cutting-edge technology to supply PEM with high quality presentations for exhibitions, events and online. The department has three branches, all of which have internship opportunities: Web development, video post-production and audio-visual (AV) production. In AV, you’ll work on shoots, handle event presentation and work with audio. In video post, you’ll use Final Cut Pro to edit various projects. In Web development, you’ll work with the Web team to create interactives and maintain the PEM Web site. You’ll gain professional experience in media development.

HIGH SCHOOL and COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS

• Audio Visual: Familiarity with all types of audio and visual equipment is preferred. You should have experience with live audio mixing and video recording. A pleasant demeanor and solid communication skills are essential.
• Web Design: Work with the Web Creative Director and Integrated Media team on concept, design, production and completion of interactive projects for pem.org, exhibitions and marketing initiatives. Knowledge of Flash, Photoshop and digital imaging is a plus.
• Post Production: The post-production internship is hands-on. You’ll collaborate in the creative and technical processes involved in the creation of video pieces. Work with Final Cut Pro to edit short-format videos that appear on pem.org, during programming, for marketing initiatives and in exhibitions. A solid understanding of Final Cut Pro and strong organizational and communication skills are essential.

The Public Relations (PR) Department pitches important and relevant stories about PEM — new exhibitions and interesting things curators are working on — to local and national media. PR also keeps staff up to date with PEM news and museum-related stories of interest. Interns track press coverage of PEM and help the PR staff get the word out about the museum. You have to be a real people person with solid communications skill and you can’t be afraid to reach out to all media (local newspapers, magazines, television and cable stations, national outlets). PR is a fast-paced, exciting department.

COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS
Maintain an extensive database, prepare packets of PEM media coverage, write and distribute press releases and images for the museum’s exhibitions, assist with press receptions and previews, write media alerts for select museum events, maintain records and files of media coverage and assist with general inquiries/requests. You should have strong computer and communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to work independently.

If you are a high school student interested in the program, here is a complete list of the forms you will need to fill out:

• A full resume of your education and employment
• two recommendation letters (no family members)
• an official transcript
• TransUnion/CORI form (for background check)
• PEM employment form
• MAC application form

If you are a college student interested in the program, click here is a complete list of the forms you will need to fill out:

• A full resume of your education and employment
• two recommendation letters (no family members)
• an official transcript (first-semester college students provide high school transcript)
• TransUnion/CORI form (for background check)
• PEM employment form
• MAC application form

That depends on the department and how often you are around visitors or patrons. For instance, if you are working with the public, formal attire is necessary. Regardless of department, you are expected to dress in a way that reflects PEM’s professional environment.

No, but there is a parking garage across the street, with stamps available for inexpensive parking. There is also free parking nearby, down side streets and around the Salem Common.

Yes, this is a possibility. There are several present employees who were former MAC interns and these hires are made on a case-by-case basis. There are also instances where a supervisor will request to renew an intern for a second semester, as well as interns being hired as part-time employees.

That depends on your internship position within PEM. In general, there is a lot of interdepartmental meeting and interaction necessary to run the museum effectively. Everyone helps each other. There are over 300 employees, but faces become familiar. Pretty soon you will be waving to colleagues while walking through different portions of the museum.

Yes.

Yes. Creative Services produces designs for various museum “clients.” Some work gets displayed in the museum, while other works are used as collateral to promote events and exhibitions in fliers, posters, postcards and in print advertising.

That depends whether you are a high school or college intern. A high school student needs to complete 200 hours; a college intern completes 400 hours. These hours are completed within the length of the semester, which is different in the fall, spring and summer.

Yes. Supervisors can ask to renew their intern for the following semester.

The museum is an uplifting, beautiful environment. The staff is friendly and busy! Events and exhibitions continually change, creating a dynamic work environment where there is constant movement and deadlines to meet.

You will be welcomed like an employee and immersed in the PEM community when you enter your selected department. As a paid intern, you are expected to report to work on time and adhere to the institution’s guidelines and rules. You will receive an ID badge that will grant you access to certain buildings, unique to your position at PEM. You will be treated like a professional and expected to behave as such.