Careers

Careers & Internships

Posted on: Jan 7, 2026
Employment Type: Seasonal
Location: Elk Horn, Iowa

Position Overview

Ronald D. and Mary L. Bro Prairie Internship
Museum of Danish America
Elk Horn, Iowa

Engage with the environment, cultivate your potential, and partake in career-building experiences at the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park in Elk Horn, Iowa!


Internship – May – August 2024
40 hours per week with a flexible schedule
Pay: $1,200 monthly stipend
Benefits: Access to a car and a rent-free, fully furnished house that includes utilities and internet

The Museum of Danish America is currently seeking a full-time, summer intern who will assist in the management of prairie and wetland restoration, a green roof, and a sustainable landscape at its Elk Horn, Iowa campus. The prairie intern will work with our facilities department and a professional ecologist on the management and monitoring of the prairie. The intern will be tasked with restoration and fieldwork including invasive species control, seed collection, water level management, site monitoring, and botanical and biological inventory. Additionally, the intern will have the opportunity to take field trips to various prairies in the Midwest.

This internship is made possible by the support of the Ronald D and Mary L Bro Prairie Internship fund.

Candidates at any level are welcome to apply.

Skills desired:

  • General knowledge of natural resources and the conservation field
  • Plant ID / basic knowledge and a desire to learn more
  • Knowledge of ecological restoration concepts and practices
  • Ability to perform physical fieldwork in adverse weather conditions
  • Pursuing a degree in natural resources, landscape architecture, horticulture, environmental science, or a related field
  • Landscape architecture graphics and design
  • Landscape architecture graphics and design
  • Prepare presentations and communicate effectively

Applications will be accepted through Friday, February 20, 2026. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information to Tim Palmer: tim.palmer@danishmuseum.org. Questions are welcome. You can also submit your resume and cover letter through Handshake.

“During my internship at the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park, I learned a lot of information that was relevant to my interests. A lot of the work revolved around the maintenance of the prairie, but I also helped plant the wetland area and maintain other areas such as the garden beds in the front of the museum. I learned a lot about the native plants of Iowa, mainly in the prairie ecosystem, as well as how to take care of invasives in the prairie. If you’re interested in landscape architecture, horticulture, or something similar, you could learn a lot from this position.” – Cooper Larsen, 2022 intern. Cooper is currently employed by Seelman Landscape Architecture and is assisting in the creation of a master plan for the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park. He is pursuing a B.A. in Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University.

“I worked for the Museum of Danish America in the summer of 2021. Covid-19 was still a huge fear then, but I was grateful to have found this cheerful and welcoming community for the summer. My duties included pulling and treating invasive plants, keeping a lookout for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife, as well as documenting the changes that I was seeing in the prairie. I also had the opportunity to watch the reshaping of the wetland and helped reseed the area in the last month of my internship. My favorite moments were learning about the traditions of MoDA: Sankt Hans Aften, coffee and kringle, more coffee, and keeping history alive. I learned a love for botany and restoration that summer which has led me into the career path I’m on today.” – Wren Klump, 2021 intern, B.S. in Environmental Science

Individuals interested in learning more about the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park and the Museum of Danish America may do so at our website: www.danishmuseum.org.

The Museum of Danish America is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer.

Posted on: 9/16/2025
Employment Type: 5 Months, Full-Time
Location: Museum of Danish America, Elk Horn, IA

Position Overview

Paid Internship – Curatorial Intern
Museum of Danish America
Elk Horn, Iowa

The Museum of Danish America seeks a full-time intern for the Curatorial Department to assist with the preservation of paper documents and panoramic photographs. Under the direction of the Registrar, the Curatorial Intern will be responsible for the following:

· Preservation and rehousing of paper documents, panoramic photographs, and posters.

· Cataloging new acquisitions and updating records in our PastPerfect database.

· Packing the outgoing exhibit, Danish Ceramics: Beyond Blue and White, and assisting with incoming loans for the Vikingmania exhibit.

· Assist in the monthly Integrated Pest Management and Environmental checks.

· Contribute to deaccessioning recommendations as appropriate.

The Collections Intern may also participate in other collection projects as time is available, including but not limited to:

· Verifying inventory records for the textile collection, which numbers nearly 3000 pieces.

· Replacing the acid free tissue in textile collections boxes.

· Cross-referencing PastPerfect records with Excel inventory lists and box contents to verify locations.

· Adding or updating additional information, photos, or condition notes for collections items.

The Curatorial Intern will also assist the Registrar and the Curator with setting up the next two exhibitions in the museum, one on curiosities in the museum collection and the other on a modern Viking exhibition in early spring of 2026. There will be opportunities to get hands-on experience with exhibit teardown and setup. Along with this, there will also be opportunities for research, writing, and publication related to their work in the collection.

All interns are also involved in Collections Review Committee and Exhibitions Committee meetings, outreach activities (on and off site), and behind-the-scenes tours to other museums for professional development and networking opportunities.

Job Type: Full Time, Five Months
Start and End Date: January 2026 (Flexible) – May 2026
Hours: Average of 40 hours per week
Benefits include monthly stipend of $1,500, access to a car, and a rent-free, fully furnished house that includes utilities and internet.

Responsibilities:

  • Catalogue and inventory collections in PastPerfect
  • Aid in loan managemen
  • Assist with ongoing pest management and preventative conservation work
  • Alongside the curator and registrar, install exhibitions in gallery spaces
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, with preference given to a Master’s degree, in Museum Studies or a related field
  • Experience in collections management and curation preferred;
  • Experience with paper documents and photographs is preferred, but not required;
  • Excellent writing, project management, attention to detail, interpersonal and team building skills are essential;
  • Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position including standing for long period of time and lifting heavy objects;
  • Strong computer skills required for research and administrative skills and experience in PastPerfect is helpful.

Interested individuals may learn more about the Museum of Danish America by visiting our website: www.danishmusem.org

Applications will be accepted through October 20th, 2025. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and two references via email to David Anderson, Registrar: david.anderson@danishmuseum.org. Questions are welcome.

The Museum of Danish America is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Posted on: Jan 24, 2025
Employment Type: Seasonal
Location: Genealogy Center

Position Overview

Summer Programming Intern
Museum of Danish America
Elk Horn, Iowa

The Museum of Danish America (MoDA) is seeking a part-time team member to assist with 2025 summer programming. The Summer Programming Intern will work collaboratively with the Youth & Community Educator and other museum staff to assist with a wide range of programs including youth camps, SPARK! lifelong learning, community partnerships, Bedstemor’s House, and the development of an exhibit at the Genealogy and Education center.

Job Type: Seasonal
Start and End Date: Approximately May 20, 2025, – August 10, 2025
Hours: Average of 40 hours per week
Benefits include Monthly Stipend of $1,200 and access to a car and a rent-free, fully furnished house that includes utilities and internet.

Application Deadline: 03/15/2025

Responsibilities:

  • Assist with planning and implementation of all summer educational programming
  • Assist in preparation and organization of all summer events
  • Work with attendees and staff to create a safe, engaging, and positive learning environment for all
  • Provide staff coverage and give tours of Bedstemor’s House, MoDA’s historic home
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Pursuing a degree in museum studies, education, public history, and other related fields
  • Knowledge of how museums operate
  • Excellent organizational and written communication skills
  • Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Good interpersonal and computer skills (including Microsoft Office programs)
  • Keep accurate records, assist in reporting, and provide general administrative support as needed

Interested individuals may learn more about the Museum of Danish America by visiting our website: www.danishmusem.org

Applications will be accepted through March 15, 2025. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and three references via email: anna.thomas@danishmuseum.org; via mail Anna Thomas, Youth & Community Educator, Museum of Danish America, PO Box 249, Elk Horn, Iowa 51531.

The Museum of Danish America is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Application Deadlines

  • Spring semester: October 1
  • Fall semester: March 31

The Museum of Danish America is able to provide semester-long internships thanks to grant funding from the Scan Design Foundation by Inger and Jens Bruun of Seattle.

“The insight and skills I got from my internship at the Museum of Danish America and living in the U.S. have been very important to me, both while job hunting and in my current position as Event and Membership Coordinator at the Art Museums of Skagen. The experiences I had during my six months at MoDA I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.” – Sofie Nielsen

Not your typical internship

Internships are designed around program needs, the interests of the individual, and ongoing museum projects. The museum offers a hands-on learning environment where interns work as part of a team and complete individual projects. Previous projects include translation work, exhibit design and installation, genealogy and library assignments, social media, development and marketing, and updating collections records. The museum also encourages Danish interns to explore American culture through museum visits, conference and museum events, meetings, etc. Danish interns may also share housing (provided) with American interns. The internships are open to students who are Danish citizens and currently enrolled in graduate programs at Danish universities or equivalent institutions. Recent graduates will also be considered.

Benefits

  • Visa application expenses covered
  • Monthly stipend
  • Shared housing with living expenses provided
  • Vehicle for intern use
  • Paid travel opportunities, locally and nationally

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Working knowledge of English
  • Excellent organizational and written communication skills
  • Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Good interpersonal and computer skills (including Microsoft Office programs)
  • As we are in a rural area, it is necessary that interns have a driver’s license

For more information and to apply, please contact the Executive Director: director@danishmuseum.org.
To apply, email your cover letter, CV or resume, and a copy of your most recent transcript or diploma to the above address.

“I believe that my internship at the Museum of Danish America has helped me immensely with my career! Getting a job in the museum field in Denmark is not always easy, but I gained a lot of experience with collections and exhibits while working in Elk Horn, and that gave me a clear advantage when I started applying for jobs in Denmark.” – Freja Gry Børsting, Curator, Immigrantmuseet, Farum, Denmark

  • Danish intern Marius Bo Poulsen attending a kaffe og kringler event in Ames, Iowa.
  • MoDA staf and interns at an Iowa Wild hockey game in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • A former MoDA intern who traveled across the US during his internship.

Each year, the Museum of Danish America offers a variety of internships designed for emerging professionals in museums and related fields. Internships vary each year based on current projects but generally focus in the following areas.

  • Collections care
  • Exhibitions
  • Education
  • Prairie landscaping
  • Social Media & Marketing

“I worked for the Museum of Danish America in the summer of 2021. Covid-19 was still a huge fear then, but I was grateful to have found this cheerful and welcoming community for the summer. My duties included pulling and treating invasive plants, keeping a lookout for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife, as well as documenting the changes that I was seeing in the prairie. I also had the opportunity to watch the reshaping of the wetland and helped reseed the area in the last month of my internship. My favorite moments were learning about the traditions of MoDA: Sankt Hans Aften, coffee and kringle, more coffee, and keeping history alive. I learned a love for botany and restoration that summer which led me into the career path I’m on today.” – Wren Klump, 2021 intern, B.S. in Environmental Science

Past internship projects have included:

  • Maintaining the museum’s textile collection.
  • Performing conservation work on our framed collection, including art, documents, and photographs. Old cardboard and wood backings were removed, frames and glass were cleaned, and acid-free blue board backings were added along with tyvek dust covers for long-term preservation.
  • Performing an inventory of our 1908 Victorian house museum, Bedstemor’s House. This was the first full inventory done on the house, and led to a reorganization of some of the rooms and a more effective interpretation and use of the house.
  • Preparation for a collections move. This involved organizing and labeling shelving units, moving artifacts, and recording new location data

Subscribe to our free monthly E-News to be notified of future opportunities.

At the Museum of Danish America, our mission is to share, preserve, and celebrate Danish-American history and culture. The heart of that mission is our dedicated team.

To support this work, we strive to hire talented, mission-driven individuals and ensure they feel valued. Our staff enjoy a collaborative work environment, meaningful professional development opportunities, generous benefits and time off, and a strong commitment to well-being and safety—fostering a fulfilling and supportive workplace.

We also make listening a priority. Through staff one-on-one conversations and group discussions, we offer the tools, training, and encouragement our team members need to thrive in their roles.

Most importantly, we know—and appreciate—each employee.

  • A MoDA staff member laughs with board members and a Danish intern before a mirror and hanging plant.
  • Staff members receive a tour at the Joslyn Art Center. Staff stand behind a large glass display.
  • Two staff members pose for a photo with their arms around one another's shoulders at a museum function.
  • Four staff members pose alone a railing at the Des Moines Art Center during a staff outing.
  • A staff member poses with a pumpkin he carved.
  • Two staff members stand before the museum. Thomas Dambo's Nordic Swan can be seen in the background.
  • Two staff members, dressed in black long sleeve shirts emblazoned with Skål, stand behind the register at the Museum's Design Store.
  • Two staff members stand behind the welcome desk at the Museum's Genealogy & Education Center.

Human Resources EEO and Disability Statement

The Museum of Danish America is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or veteran status.

This commitment applies to every part of the employment experience, including recruitment, hiring, transfers, promotions, training, terminations, working conditions, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

The Museum of Danish America complies with all federal and state equal opportunity laws and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment free from all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment. Harassment of any kind is considered a serious violation of our values and policies.

If you need any accommodations during the application process because of a disability, please call (712) 764-7001, and we will provide appropriate accommodations.