Archivest and Collections Intern

The intern will support the museum’s collections and archives operations: helping to organise, document, preserve and make accessible items related to rock music heritage (e.g., photographs, memorabilia, recordings, posters, artifacts). The role will provide hands-on training in archival practice, collections care and cataloguing within a lively museum setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in processing incoming donations/acquisitions of artifacts, memorabilia, documents, recordings, etc.
• Help catalog and describe items: e.g., entering metadata, preparing database records, generating finding aids.
• Support the arrangement, rehousing and storage of collection materials in appropriate conditions.
• Work with existing collections to ensure correct documentation, identification of items, condition checks and inventories.
• Digitisation support: scanning/photographing items, preparing digital files, embedding metadata, uploading to digital asset management system (if applicable).
• Assist with research into provenance, context and history of items in the collection (especially relating to Irish rock music).
• Support curatorial and exhibition staff with preparation of items for display (packaging, labels, transport, installation).
• Aid in public-facing tasks when necessary: responding to researcher queries, assisting with tours or collection-based activities.
• Contribute to discussions about collection policy, storage environment improvements, preservation strategies.

Qualifications & Skills

• Currently enrolled in or recently completed a degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) in Library / Archival Studies, Museum Studies, History, Music Studies, Cultural Heritage, or a related discipline.
• Genuine interest in music history and cultural heritage.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite; ability to learn new databases/digital systems.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Comfort working with a variety of materials (documents, photos, recordings, artifacts) and handling fragile items with care.
• Preferred but not required: experience in digitisation, metadata standards, collections management systems or museum archives.

Learning Outcomes

Interns will:

• Gain hands-on experience in a functioning museum collections department.
• Learn archival processing and collections care best practices.
• Develop skills in cataloguing, metadata, digitisation and research.
• Gain insight into how a specialised museum (focussed on rock music) builds and manages its collection and engages the public with heritage.
• Build professional networks in the museum/cultural heritage sector in Ireland.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

On-site Supervision and Support

Our internships include 24/7 on-site staff to support students working and living abroad. All students will also report to a supervisor at their internship site. Supervisors provide and oversee daily tasks, introduce the intern to team members, and mentor the intern in organizational agility, skill acquisition, and career readiness. Interns complete a midpoint and final evaluation, and supervisors complete a final evaluation of their interns. All work responsibilities and projects are approved in advance. 

Academic Credit

Students on an internship have the opportunity to enroll in their home university for credit, or enroll in a course through API to transfer back to their university for credit. Email support-internships@apiexperience.com for more information and a syllabus.

Housing and Excursions

Housing and excursions are included in your internship and will be selectable during the application process.

Visa Sponsorship

This position does not offer visa sponsorship for non-US citizens

Visa Sponsorship (London, Edinburgh, Sydney only)

Selected candidates will be responsible for obtaining a temporary work visa with support from API, please note that this has an additional expense on the candidate. For more information visit our visa page.