McMullan Arts Leadership Internship, Annual Giving (Summer 2024)

The museum's Engagement department is inviting talented and motivated individuals to apply for this internship within the department's Annual Giving team.
The Engagement department supports the museum's member and public initiatives including Annual Giving, Member and Visitor Services, Special Events, Programming, Revenue, and Retail/Dining.
The intern will work on revenue generating campaigns related to museum Annual Giving and membership. Additionally, the intern will work on developing their skills in direct marketing solicitation and help to implement member programs and communications that align with the department goal to create opportunities for donor stewardship that allow supporters of the Art Institute of Chicago to deepen their engagement across the museum.
The intern will join a museum-wide intern cohort and have access to a range of programs to support their development in addition to their placement in Annual Giving. Mentorship is provided throughout the experience and connections with an intern alumni network will be established.
Goals of the McMullan Arts Leadership Internship Program
The McMullan Arts Leadership internship program is part of a museum-wide effort to provide students the opportunity to gain experience, career awareness, networks, and skills that will position them to thrive as future art museum leaders.
This program specifically aims to support students who encounter economic challenges when considering a career in the arts. Aligned with this goal, we aim to help shape a diverse group of leaders whose actions are informed by a wide range of perspectives, varying career paths, and values inspired by their own lived experiences.
INTERNSHIP OUTCOMES:
In this position, the intern will have the opportunity to:

• Become aware of the inner workings of the museum and understand how different departments function in order to provide more than 1.7 million annual visitors with quality art and culture experiences;
• Gain an understanding of the planning and strategy involved with development work and how each team plays an important role in what results in financial gifts to the museum;
• Acquire and sharpen organizational skills including multitasking, time management, and attention to detail;
• Develop mentor relationships with field practitioners;
• Build peer-to-peer relationships with fellow interns.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in the planning, preparation, execution, and staffing for member programs and events
• Work with data entry, calendar maintenance, as well as archiving of historical events and donor/member programs
• Draft and review compelling solicitations in various channels using direct response marketing best practices to motivate the retention and acquisition of members.
• Pursue research into potential programs and initiatives designed to increase participation and engagement among members and visitors, with a focus on driving key museum priorities.
• Support pre/post-event and pre/post campaign processes, including drafting actions, reports, and tracking year-over-year performance.
• Attend weekly check-ins with the position's mentor: the director of Annual Giving
• Attend intern cohort professional development programs and museum practice seminars

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Undergraduate or graduate student; recent graduates (within one year of graduation) will also be considered
• Applicants must be based in the Chicagoland area for the summer and/or attending school in the Chicagoland area
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required
• An interest in nonprofit arts organization or a similar field is preferred
• Capability to maintain discretion when coming in contact with confidential information is required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Google Suite is required
• Experience working in an office setting is preferred but not required
• Self-motivated; able to proactively contribute solutions and pose generative questions
• Detail-oriented and organized; able and willing to complete administrative tasks as necessary
• Knowledge of Raiser's Edge database is preferred but not required

APPLICATION
You must upload all of the requested materials below (résumé and essay responses) into only one pdf document and list your last name and "Summer 2024" in the title of the file (example: [LAST NAME]_SUMMER2024.pdf.) Please upload your materials where asked in the online application.
PLEASE NOTE: You will not be considered if any requested application element is missing.
To apply for this internship, tell us your story. We want to understand who you are, what motivates you, how you think, and where you're coming from. Please submit the following materials:

• Résumé
• In lieu of a traditional cover letter, please respond to the following questions in short essays (no more than 300 words per answer.) We encourage you to provide specific examples to support your answers or to illustrate your ideas:
  
  • What about this job description interests you the most?
  • With the mission of the McMullan Arts Leadership intern program in mind, what perspectives might you bring to this role that you think museums need more of?
  • How do you envision this opportunity helping you towards your professional goals?

DEADLINE:
This application will close on Thursday, February 29th at 11:59 pm CDT. Selected applicants will be asked to interview via video call after the deadline passes.
INTERNSHIP INFORMATION
Duration of Position: 10 weeks / June 2024 (start date anytime during the week of June 3-7) throughAugust 2024 (end date anytime during the week of August 5-9)
Compensation: Paid / $16.32/hr / part-time or full-time / Temporary
Schedule: This is a 10-week position for a currently enrolled or recently graduated undergraduate or graduate student. The intern will work part-time or full-time depending on their capacity; this amounts to 21-30 hours per week for a total of 210-300 hours over the course of the internship. Work days will occur between Monday-Friday; the start date and schedule will be determined upon agreement with the candidate and the host department.
Hourlong virtual and in-person intern professional development programs will be scheduled throughout the internship term that the student is strongly encouraged to attend. These programs will occur during the week; we ask that the intern make this part of their internship schedule.
Format: The internship will be fully onsite. Due to onsite necessity, applicants based or attending school in the Chicagoland area during the internship timeframe will be prioritized. Internet access and appropriate technology will be necessary to complete this internship, but technological accommodations can be provided by the Art Institute of Chicago based on necessity.
Number of openings: 1
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in a staff culture that benefits from a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and career paths, and we encourage nontraditional candidates to apply.
Closing Statement
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources atapply_help@artic.edu.