Curatorial Associate Intern
San Diego Automotive Museum
Internship Opportunity: Curatorial Associate Intern
Department: Curatorial (Collections)
Location: Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Schedule: 10–20+ hours/week | (flexible start/end dates)
Compensation: Unpaid | For academic credit and/or professional experience
About the San Diego Automotive Museum
Located in the heart of Balboa Park, the San Diego Automotive Museum (SDAM) preserves and shares the cultural and technological history of the automobile through engaging exhibitions, educational programs, and responsible collections stewardship. The museum’s Curatorial Department oversees a diverse collection of vehicles, objects,
archival materials, and ephemera that highlight automotive innovation and its societal
impact.
Position Summary
The San Diego Automotive Museum is seeking detail-oriented and motivated Curatorial Associate Interns to support the Curatorial Department during the winter of 2025-26. This
internship offers experience in museum collections work and provides hands-on exposure in collections care, cataloging, documentation, and object handling. The museum is looking for candidates who are highly motivated with individual projects and tasks. The intern will report to and work closely with the Assistant Curator, who manages the museum’s collections, library, and oversees ongoing collection-related projects. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals exploring careers in museums, archives, or heritage management.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with cataloging and updating object records in the museum’s collections
database (Catalogit) - Photograph and document collection items for digital and internal use
- Conduct condition reports and assist with storage monitoring
- Rehouse and organize objects to meet museum standards
- Support exhibition installation and deinstallation (as needed)
- Conduct basic provenance or historical research on vehicles, artifacts, ephemera or
donors - Participate in environmental monitoring and integrated pest management
- Contribute to curatorial meetings and planning discussions (as needed)
Preferred Qualifications
- Interest in museum collections, archives, or curatorial practice
- Enrolled in or recently completed coursework in Museum Studies, Public History,
Anthropology, Library/Archival Studies, Art History, or a related field - Detail-oriented with strong organizational and research skills
- Familiarity with or interest in using collections databases (Catalogit experience is a
plus) - Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional setting
- Comfortable lifting up to 30 lbs and working in storage environments
- Reliable and communicative
- Available at least two shifts a week: shift breakdown – 10am to 2pm or 12pm to 4pm Monday through Friday.
Learning Outcomes
- By the end of the internship, participants will:
- Gain practical experience in museum collections management
- Develop foundational skills in documentation, object handling, and preventive care
- Strengthening research and database entry skills
- Learn about ethical and professional standards in collections work
- Receive mentoring from museum staff and contribute meaningfully to active
projects - Gain experience with project management and independent work
How to Apply
To apply, please submit the following to curatorial@sdautomuseum.org with the subject line: Collections Associate Intern Application – Your Name
- Resume (no longer than 1 page)
- Brief cover letter (1 page max) outlining your interest in the position and your
availability
Priority deadline: March 31st, 2025
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.