The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is committed to helping people in their careers. It offers a limited number of voluntary placements each year.

This page deals with Curatorial Internships only; all other placements should be addressed to the relevant Department.

If you are unsure who to contact, please write to the Personnel Officer. There are four types of internship offered in the Curatorial Department each year:

• a long-term, part-time placement
  (one academic year)
  
• a short-term research placement
• a full-time gallery placement of 6 weeks for recent graduates during the summer
• short-term work experience placements for school students aged 15 and over (*)

The long-term placement usually attracts students enrolled on a related Masters degree who require work experience as part of their course.

The student will acquire a broad-based view of curatorial life in a national museum and can expect to assist with our Exhibitions Programme, Collection Care and Interpretation in the galleries. Applications for these placements are welcome throughout the year.

Research internships are linked to the Collection’s research priorities (for both the permanent Collection and temporary exhibitions) and are offered as and when they arise.

Applicants should have previous experience in researching primary sources and must state their specialist area(s) when applying. Applications are welcome throughout the year.

The gallery placement is offered to graduates actively pursuing a career in museums. This placement is very ‘hands-on’ and will give the successful candidate practical experience in the day-to-day care of a national museum in the UK.

Tasks may include updating location lists, assisting with object labelling and general Collection Care, including object handling.

It is hoped that Gallery Interns will also have a greater appreciation of this particular Collection by attending free gallery talks and making the most of our Reference Library which is at their disposal.

The deadline for 2008 applications has passed.

The deadline for 2009 applications is Monday 6 April 2009.

(*) The Wallace Collection regrets that during 2008 it is unable to offer work experience or work-shadowing placements of one week or more to school students aged 15 and over.

General Information
Interns will be placed in the Curatorial Department but will work with other staff as appropriate. Successful applicants will undergo a standard security check prior to coming to the Wallace Collection.

Placements are voluntary; we are unable to provide financial remuneration or practical assistance such as finding accommodation.

Due to the volume of requests we receive for curatorial experience there may be a delay in contacting you; if you have not heard from us and no longer wish to be considered for a placement please contact us immediately.