The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life by providing funding and support to New York City’s cultural community, including the 34 institutions that comprise the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and more than 1,000 non-profit cultural organizations that receive annual support. This constituency represents a diverse array of organizations - including performing arts groups, museums, theaters, zoos, botanical gardens, visual arts and film centers, community-based organizations, and arts education programs – that are central to the life of communities in every corner of New York City. DCLA also manages a significant portfolio of cultural capital projects; provides free donated materials and supplies for arts programs and arts educators through its Materials for the Arts program; provides capacity building and technical assistance support to cultural groups; and commissions works of permanent public art through the City’s Public Art Program.

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs' Percent for Art Program administers New York City's Percent for Art Law, which mandates that 1% of the budget for newly constructed or renovated city-funded facilities be allocated to public art. This program provides opportunities to commission, acquire, or restore site-specific artworks for civic spaces, including schools, libraries, courthouses, firehouses, parks, health centers, plazas, and streetscapes. Since its inception in 1982, the program has completed over 350 public art projects, with a cumulative value exceeding $65 million, and more than 100 new commissions are currently in progress across all five boroughs.

We are seeking a Collection Management Intern to support the stewardship and organization of one of the most significant public art collections in the United States the City of New York’s Percent for Art collection. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in collection management, archival research, and digital record-keeping, contributing directly to the preservation and accessibility of the city’s public art legacy.
The intern will work closely with program staff to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the Percent for Art project database, conduct research on completed commissions, and assist in the transition of physical records into a fully digitized archive. This position is ideal for individuals interested in the intersection of public art, cultural heritage, and data management, providing valuable experience in the administration and documentation of large-scale civic art collections.

Intern Responsibilities:

- Assist in updating and maintaining the Percent for Art project database with the most current information.
- Conduct archival research on completed public art projects using digital records and physical files.
- Support the digitization of physical archives, ensuring comprehensive and organized documentation.
- Assist in the organization and standardization of collection records for future accessibility.
- Perform general administrative tasks related to collection management and public art documentation.

Special Skills Area of Study:

- Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
- Interest in contemporary art, public art, and cultural preservation.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

Preferred Qualifications (not required but beneficial):
- Background or studies in art history, museum studies, arts administration, library sciences, or a related field.
- Experience with database management, archival research, or digital records.
- Familiarity with New York City’s cultural landscape and public art initiatives.

Submit:
- A cover letter explaining your interest in the position.
- A resume outlining relevant experience.

Additional Information:
All work will be conducted in-person from our office in lower Manhattan
Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. No phone calls. For more information about DCLA, visit us at www.nyc.gov/culture

SUMMER COLLEGE INTERN - 10234

As of June of the Program year the prospective interne must be a student matriculated in a college or be a recent college graduate (winter/spring term of the Program year).
NOTE: Appointment to this title is only valid for the duration of the Program, June - August each year.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.