Prints Initiative Intern - The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation

The Frankenthaler Prints Initiative 

Launched in 2018, the Frankenthaler Prints Initiative supports university-affiliated museums by strengthening print collections and encouraging new research on Frankenthaler’s work. Twenty institutions each received a group of Frankenthaler’s prints, along with funding to develop exhibitions and related programs. The Initiative continues to expand access to this major area of her practice and to generate new scholarship. The Foundation also oversees cataloguing projects related to Frankenthaler’s prints and paintings to support ongoing research on her work. 

Position Description: Prints Initiative Intern 

The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation seeks a Prints Initiative Intern to assist with research, documentation, and interpretive communication related to the artist’s printmaking practice. The internship offers hands-on experience contributing to forthcoming publications connected to the Prints Initiative and the print catalogue raisonné, as well as opportunities to support the Foundation’s collaborations with partner institutions.  

Working closely with Foundation staff, the intern will learn to examine archival materials, review research files, organize image assets, and synthesize information for educational and public-facing communications. The internship provides an introduction to how an artist-centered foundation stewards a creative legacy and supports scholarship, collections, and public engagement. Over the course of the internship, the student will also develop a short interpretive or writing project based on their research experience.  

This internship is ideal for students in art history, studio art, English or literature, museum studies, or related humanities fields who are curious about research, interpretive writing, and the professional work of museums, archives, arts nonprofits, and artist-centered foundations. 

Artist Legacy Coalition (ALC) 

The internship is offered through the Artist Legacy Coalition, a collective of New York-based artist-centered foundations committed to expanding educational access and equity in the arts. Designed around mentorship and experiential learning, ALC provides students with hands-on training and a curriculum of site visits introducing key issues across the field. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Conduct research on Frankenthaler’s printmaking practice and related archival materials 
• Contribute to educational and interpretive content for forthcoming Foundation publications 
• Organize image assets and associated metadata 
• Track information from partner institutions and consolidate updates in shared documents 
• Support general research, documentation, and communications related to the Prints Initiative 

Qualifications and Skills 

• Strong attention to detail 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively 
• Clear and effective written communication skills 
• Demonstrated interest in art, research, museums, or arts education 
• Comfort with standard digital tools and software for research, writing, and file organization 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks 
• Willingness to sign a confidentiality agreement, employee handbook, and equipment agreement