Summer 2026 Graduate Level Internships in Textile Conservation

Summer 2026 Graduate Level Internships in Textile Conservation

Project Overview:

The Chicago History Museum is seeking candidates for two paid 8-10 week graduate level internships in Textile Conservation for summer 2026 with a focus on historic costume materials in support of a Save America’s Treasures grant project and in preparation of textile and costume materials for exhibition, photography and/or storage. The internships are open to recent graduates and students currently enrolled in a recognized conservation graduate program who have completed at least one year of their studies and have declared a focus on textile and costume materials.

Brief Description of Internship: Interns will assist with the conservation and care of historic presidential costume materials.   Under supervision and in accordance with the guidelines and code of ethics of the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), interns will work with conservation staff to accomplish the following:

• Examine and assess objects for condition and treatment needs, and determine the guidelines for storage and display.
• Perform surface cleaning and other approved conservation treatment work to stabilize and repair objects and improve their appearance.
• Prepare written and photographic documentation of condition and treatment of objects. Identify and document materials and techniques of construction and evidence of prior repairs and alterations. Prepare documentation for dressing and mounting.
• Construct and fabricate mounts, supports, and underpinnings for display, photo-documentation, and/or storage. Interns may also help with patterning and replica construction.
• Maintain project-related conservation files (written and photographic) in both traditional and electronic formats. Keep reports/records on work completed and time allocated. Clerical and administrative tasks include data entry, filing, updating conservation records, track grant activity, and upkeep of conservation workspaces.
• Contribute to research, education and outreach in the form of a project-related blog post, presentation or other public-facing activity.

Qualifications:

• Candidates should be a recent conservation graduate or a student who is currently enrolled and has completed at least one year of study in a recognized graduate-level conservation program with a declared focus on textiles and costume materials.
• Candidates must be eligible to legally work in the US.

Candidates should have excellent manual dexterity and sewing skills, some knowledge and experience with garment construction and pattern making, and experience working with museum collections - particularly with costume materials and preferably historic garments. Candidates should have a solid understanding of conservation principles, practices and procedures, be able to work independently as well as part of a team, and have strong organizational and verbal communication, and problem-solving skills. They must also be able to lift, carry, or otherwise move and position objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Willingness to work occasional evenings and/or weekends.

Dates of Internship: Term-limited 8–10-week internship with a start date in late May or sometime in June 2026 (dependent on graduate program schedule)

Time commitment: Interns are expected to work 30 hours per week, Monday through Friday (for a maximum of 300 hours of work) over the course of 8 to 10 weeks, with the possibility of some evening or weekend hours for programming or emergency response.

Salary: Conservation Interns will receive $20 per hour for the 8-to-10-week internship, and a $1,000 stipend which may be used to help cover relocation costs.

Application Procedures:

Interested individuals can apply by submitting the following as a single document using the link provided above by March 13, 2026. Interviews will begin in late March:

• Cover letter stating your interest and intent in applying for the internship
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Contact information (full name, phone number and email address) for three references (with a maximum of two from academia)
• Link to online portfolio (if available)