Historic new england will pilot a cross-disciplinary, cohort-based, paid internship program to enhance equity and opportunity within their organization and generate a model for similar organizations…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a $515,805 Project Grant under the 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (CFDA 45.032) to Historic New England-Spnea, a non-profit organization in Boston, MA. The grant will fund a 3-year pilot program to enhance equity and diversity within the museum workforce. The program will provide paid internships to 76 undergraduate, graduate, and recent degree recipients, offering them training, support, and connections to navigate museum careers. As a result, interns will gain technical skills and an understanding of museum operations and the job market. The pilot will culminate in a white paper outlining lessons learned and recommendations for implementing similar cohort-based programs at peer institutions to create safe and meaningful professional development opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. This grant supports IMLS' goal of advancing the museum workforce by providing structured learning experiences and promoting equitable access to museum careers.

Historic new england will pilot a cross-disciplinary, cohort-based, paid internship program to enhance equity and opportunity within their organization and generate a model for similar organizations seeking to support a more diverse and empowered museum workforce. The program will seek to recruit 76 students who are currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate-level programs, or those who have completed a degree program within the last 24 months. The interns will convene weekly, as a cohort, to receive training and support on museum operations and navigating employment. As a result of the project, students will gain technical skills, connections with peers, and understanding of museum operations and the job market. In addition, the pilot project will culminate in a white paper that outlines lessons learned and recommendations for implementing pan-institutional cohorts at peer institutions, with an eye toward creating safe and meaningful professional development experiences for people of all backgrounds.