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, intern 2014
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, 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 copy of your most recent transcript or diploma to the above address.
Application Deadlines
Spring semester: November 1
Fall semester: April 30
"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
American Interns
Subscribe to our free monthly E-News to be notified of future opportunities.
Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park Internship Program
Designed in 2011 and installed in 2012, the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park is intended to celebrate the life and work of Jens Jensen who was an early advocate for native plants and the conservation of natural spaces. The park features wetland and prairie restoration, council rings, a green roof, trails, and other native and formal gardens in the style of Jens Jensen. The park aims to provide wildlife and pollinator habitats and increase plant diversity.
Position Description: The Museum of Danish America is currently seeking a Prairie 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 intern will be tasked with restoration fieldwork including invasive species control, seed collection, water level management, site monitoring, and botanical and biological inventory. Should it be of interest, the intern will have the opportunity to design a five-acre park as part of the overall campus plan. To a lesser extent, the prairie intern is involved in public outreach and communication. The prairie intern works with our facilities department and a professional ecologist on the management and monitoring of the prairie. Additionally, the prairie intern will have the opportunity to take field trips to various prairies in Iowa, Wisconsin, or the Chicago area.
Position Details and Benefits:
Duration/Hours: Four months: May - August, 40 hours per week
Pay: $1,200 monthly stipend
Benefits: Rent-free, fully furnished house (includes all utilities and internet)
Position Requirements: General knowledge of natural resources and the conservation field; plant ID or basic knowledge and a desire to learn plant ID; knowledge of ecological restoration concepts and practices; ability to perform physical fieldwork; general communication and correspondence skills. Optional, but highly preferred: pursuing a degree in natural resources, landscape architecture, horticulture, environmental science, or related field; landscape architecture graphics and design; ability to write text for outreach materials and/or publications.
Task Breakdown: 60-70%: Fieldwork in the prairie, wetland, and landscape (invasive species control, planting, seed collection, landscaping work, mowing, site monitoring, working with contractors). 10-20%: special project relating to the museum (i.e. public programs, landscape/restoration design, etc.). 10%: field trips/working on projects necessary for academic requirements.
Application Deadline: Applications must be received by midnight on March 6, 2023.
Application Details: Send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references via email to Tim Palmer: tim.palmer@danishmuseum.org. Questions are welcome.
Bodtker Grant
Danish Interns may also apply for the Bodtker Grant offered by The Danish American Heritage Society to help fund research projects. For more information, visit http://www.danishheritage.org. The internships are open to students who are Danish citizens and currently enrolled in graduate programs at Danish universities or equivalent institutions. Click here for more information on the Bodtker Grant.
