Internships at the Columbia Museum of Art provide opportunities to become familiar with and actively contribute to the inner workings of an art museum. They offer a challenging learning experience and promote awareness of museum careers. Students gain valuable experience working at the Museum and may be able to earn educational credits for their work.

We currently offer internships in the following areas: Development, Digital Imaging, Education, Family Friendly Initiative, Group Tour Coordination, Museum Shop, Public Programs and Social Media.

Click here to download the application packet.

For more information please contact our Intern Coordinator at internships@columbiamuseum.org.

Purpose: To work as part of the CMA education team to develop and implement engaging education programs for students, families, and adults with a particular emphasis on community and off-site school partnerships.

Supervisory Role: This position oversees Interns and Volunteers for onsite community programs and supervises their activities.

Responsibilities: The Museum is currently undergoing the development of a strategic plan that outlines a fresh approach to reaching underserved audiences. As part of its responsibility to the community, the Museum is sharply focused on building sustainable partnerships that will result in measureable outcomes and significant educational impact. The Community Programs Coordinator works closely with the Director of Education and the Education Programs Manager to strategically identify, develop and implement programming appropriate for a variety of partners that may include groups serving young children, families, schools and adults. Working closely with the Director of Education, the Education Programs Manager, and the Development department, these efforts aim to secure sustainable funding for programs focused on providing art education to underserved and economically disadvantaged communities. Additionally, this position will develop and implement programs for students and families as related to summer camps, school or community programs, workshops and Family Fun Nights/Days.

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Develops a backbone of active, sustainable and meaningful community program partnerships in order to promote further growth of CMA programs locally and statewide.
2. Develops a dynamic community programs packet to consist of updated information about programs and their impact for distribution at meetings with partners, potential partners, and donors. This packet should be updated every quarter.
3. Works with partners to develop a yearly schedule of program dates and creates a community programs calendar on the CMA shared drive to be updated monthly.
4. Develops and implements standards-based lesson plans for community programs in order to provide the highest quality programs and to achieve the greatest educational impact.
5. Documents programs through weekly status reports, monthly board reports and surveys. Works with an evaluator to ensure timely evaluation of programs.
6. Reports program numbers to Education Assistant.
7. Meets monthly with PR/Marketing department to provide examples of impact of community programs and presents to PR/Marketing a quarterly schedule (to be updated at each monthly meeting) of upcoming special events, unveilings, community days, etc for PR/Marketing opportunities.
8. Works with Education Manage and Tour Coordinator to train and coordinate volunteers/docents for community programs.
9. Contributes to the development and implementation of Family Fun events, art trunk programs, teen program and family friendly initiatives by researching similar programs at other museums, presenting ideas at education staff meetings and by working with other education staff to bring these programs to fruition.
10. Orders all supplies for all community programs.
11. Represents CMA's community programs at conferences and school career days.
12. Attends Education Committee, Art Studio Committee meetings, and Family Fun Days.
13. Is part of the Speakers Bureau team.
14. Other duties as required.

Job Type: This is a part-time, 28 hour a week position

Skills and Experience: Candidate should have a minimum of a BFA or BA in art studio or education. Candidate must have 2+ years of experience in education program development and implementation. A strong knowledge of art and culture required. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel required.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Creative and innovative approach to program development.
• Ability to present programs (tours, gallery talks, studio instruction, formal presentation) to an audience.
• Ability to write cross-curriculum lesson plans.
• Knowledge of a variety of studio techniques.
• Ability to manage time and organize in a classroom environment.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment with staff, including organizing work, prioritizing needs, and communicating new ideas, working in a timely manner, the ability to meet deadlines and demonstrating problem solving skills.
• Able to supervise and train a strong team of docents and interns for the implementation of programs.

Please send resumes and date of availability to:
Columbia Museum of Art
Attn: Ms. Teri Keener Mewhorter
P O Box 2068
Columbia, SC 29202
or via email at
tmewhorter@columbiamuseum.org.

Purpose: Actively identify, cultivate, solicit and steward corporate donors to raise money to support the Museum through membership, sponsorship and grants. Act as primary contact for corporate donors to cultivate the relationships and build the corporate donor base. Function as primary grant writer to corporate foundations. Manage the annual fundraising gala and act as project lead. Coordinate the efforts to secure government grants.

Responsibilities: The individual will play the key role in raising funds from corporate donors and corporate foundations to meet the budget goal and program objectives. Success for the individual in this position will be based on cultivating corporate relationships and securing corporate gifts. In addition, the position is responsible for the management and fundraising success of the annual gala. The individual will also write grants to secure public funding.

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Primary fundraising responsibility for securing support from corporations and corporate foundations.
2. Key point person for the identification, solicitation and closure of prospects for corporate sponsorship support, primarily but not limited to exhibitions and educational programs.
3. Act as lead fundraiser and project manager of the annual gala. Develop and execute the fundraising plan for the gala, working with the events planner on staff to ensure logistics of the gala are successful, and serving as primary contact between the Museum and the gala committee to ensure volunteer satisfaction and involvement, and coordinating all of the volunteer needs and schedules to manage the gala.
4. Manage the Corporate membership program to maintain and increase corporate members. Implement renewals on a monthly basis and develop and solicit a prospect list to continually cultivate and attract new corporate member prospects throughout the year.
5. Serve as a key contributor to the development of a successful fundraising strategic plan. Work closely with the Director of Development, Executive Director and Board Chair of the Development Committee. Assist Director of Development in managing and implementing the plan.
6. Develop annual fundraising plans for each of the areas under this position. Based on the fundraising plan, develop and prioritize prospect lists for corporate support, cultivate and solicit donors; write grant proposals, meet deadlines for all grant submissions, and achieve the budget goal each year. Ensure that requests have internal input and are submitted ahead of deadlines for all grant programs.
7. Write the government grants to include local Accommodations-tax grants, state and federal grant opportunities.
8. Use the donor database (Raisers Edge used currently, moving to Altru) effectively to facilitate relationship development, including recording of actions and notes, and the development of a prospect management system.
9. Prepare and deliver timely final reports for sponsorships and grants to effectively steward corporate sponsors, corporate foundation supporters, and government agencies.
10. Provide weekly finance updates and monthly project reports to the Director of Development.
11. Generate support through personal contact, meetings, and written and verbal proposals and correspondence. Work closely with the Assistant Director of Development, as well as across departments with Curatorial and Education to ensure a coordinated effort is being made with donors and prospects.
12. Work with Marketing Department to manage recognition for donors and produce all marketing and public relations needs for corporate, foundation and sponsorship supporters.
13. Other duties as assigned.

Secondary Responsibilities include:

• As part of the Development staff, work as a team to assist with all aspects of development.
• Participate in organizations that provide advancement and education related to philanthropy.
• Attend museum parties and functions regularly to meet new prospects and donors.
• Act as an advocate for the Columbia Museum of Art. Present and speak to community groups when opportunities arise.
• Be an active community participant; attend events, meetings, exhibition and gallery openings, etc. to increase museum presence. Continue to become familiar with the culture and community of Columbia. Identify "museum awareness" potential in the community.
• Be a positive employee, interacting courteously and tactfully with supervisors, managers, co-workers, donors, prospects, and/or vendors to assure productivity and high morale.

Job Type: This is a full-time exempt position. Internal oversight of this position by the Director of Development. This position includes significant social engagement. Extra work outside of normal working hours is typically necessary. Social obligations outside of the normal workday with current and prospective donors are considerable.

Skills and Experience: Intermediate to Advanced level knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. Demonstrates fluency using donor database software (Raisers Edge used currently, moving to Altru). Bachelor of Arts or Science degree with 3-5 years work experience in development and fundraising (preferred). Experience in running special fundraising events and working with corporations and foundations. Excellent written and verbal communications skills. Professional demeanor and appearance and strong interpersonal and presentation skills. Has the capacity to represent the organization accurately and favorably in person.

Knowledge and Abilities: Must be a highly motivated team player, enthusiastic, energetic, people person, customer-oriented, and good on detail and execution. Exhibits impressive organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills as well as flexibility. Maintains the highest professional and ethical standards. Demonstrated record of successfully raising funds. Possesses a good sense of urgency, priority and follow-through. Can work independently, anticipate needs, and manage multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously. Ability to work collegially with other staff and partner to achieve common objectives. Also should have creative ideas and passion for the job.

Please send resumes and date of availability to:
Columbia Museum of Art
Attn: Ms. Teri Keener Mewhorter
P O Box 2068
Columbia, SC 29202
or via email at
tmewhorter@columbiamuseum.org.