Textiles Conservation Intern (Summer 2026)

About the Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

About the Department

The Textiles Department’s collection consists of more than 13,500 objects ranging in date from 300 BC to the present. The collection has a global scope, encompassing printed furnishing and dress fabrics, European tapestries and vestments, archaeological fragments, a wide range of Asian textiles, and an array of works from modern and contemporary artists such as Henri Matisse, Anni Albers, Sheila Hicks, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Roberto Burle Marx, and Rahul Jain. The collection continues to grow through carefully selected and considered gifts and purchases, with notable expansion in works from South West Asia and North Africa in recent years. Upcoming exhibitions include a new installation of the Arts of Africa, and a large-scale special exhibition on innovative 20th century American fiber artist Claire Zeisler: Form Maker. Textiles represented in the American, Modern and Contemporary Arts, Architecture and Design, and Arts of Africa departments include additional sculptural and mixed media works across a broad context of artistic movements, cultural aesthetics, and material innovation. 

Position Summary

The department of Conservation and Science is proud to offer this internship opportunity to work within its textiles conservation lab performing documentation and treatment, as well as mounting, and preventive care of a range of artworks from the 19th to 21st century.

These holdings are a rich repository for study and treatment opportunities. The intern will receive a hands-on introduction to the nature and needs of these materials and will carry out a variety of conservation treatments; create detailed condition and treatment reports; learn the properties and application of a range of relevant conservation materials; develop and test appropriate mounting strategies, and utilize specialized tools and analytical equipment in the performance of these tasks.

At the end of this internship, the intern will have:

Material Specific:

• Gained experience handling and examining primarily 19th-21st century textile artworks;
• Developed an understanding of the appropriate conditions for maintaining and displaying these materials and how to minimize or eliminate conditions that can cause damage;
• Gained familiarity with the basic guidelines in their preventive care, handling, mounting and installation;
• Gained a broader understanding of the types of condition issues, previous treatments, and mounting systems likely to be encountered with this class of material;
• Carried out treatments under supervision.

General:

• Created a portfolio of object-based treatments with appropriate documentation;
• Participated in department-wide conservation activities;
• Developed mentor relationships with field practitioners;
• Built peer-to-peer relationships with interns and fellows through museum-wide internship activities.

Responsibilities

Collaborating with the Assistant Textiles Conservator, the intern will be responsible for:

• Reading assigned materials and literature provided;
• Performing treatments on a pre-selected group of objects;
• Consulting with curators and conservators on treatment strategies;
• Preparation of all materials necessary for treatment;
• Creating documentation and treatment reports for each object;
• Attending regular meetings with their supervisor, Conservation & Science staff colleagues, and other museum staff members as required;
• Attending intern cohort professional development programs and museum practice seminars as possible.

Qualifications

• Current conservation graduate student with a strong interest in textiles; prior hands-on experience with textiles preferred.
• Applicants must be based in the Chicagoland area for the duration of the internship.
• Understanding of basic conservation concepts with experience in textile conservation preferred.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Familiarity with databases and/or an interest in learning about collection management systems.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Photoshop and Google platforms preferred.
• Demonstrated flexibility and open-mindedness with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across multiple departments of the museum.

Internship Information

Duration of Position: 12 weeks / June 2026 (start date anytime during the week of June 1–5) through August 2026 (end date anytime during the week of August 17-21).

Schedule: This is a full-time, 12-week position for a currently enrolled or recently graduated undergraduate or graduate student. Work days will occur between Monday–Friday; the start date and schedule will be determined upon agreement with the candidate and the host department.

Hour long 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; technological accommodations will be provided by the Art Institute of Chicago based on necessity.

Compensation & Benefits

Hiring Range:  $17.50 per hour. Maximum of 35 hours per week. (420 hours over the course of the internship). 

• Job Classification: Hourly
• Employment Category: Intern (temporary)

This position is not benefits eligible.

Application Instructions

You must upload all of the requested materials below into a single pdf document and with your last name and “QueensTextiles-Intern2026” as the title of the file (example: [LAST NAME]-QueensTextiles-Intern2026.pdf.) Please upload your materials where requested in the online application.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not be considered if any of the required documents are missing.

To apply for this internship, please submit the following materials:

• A cover letter outlining your interest in this internship and how it will help you in the next steps of your career;
• A résumé or CV

Accessibility

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at  apply_help@artic.edu.