A Cover Letter is required for this application.
Job Summary:
Archives Intern is one of the intern positions of the Fall 2026 cohort for the Ipu Kāʻeo Internship Program. The goal for this program is to offer opportunities for local talent to obtain valuable work experience within Hawai’i. This internship is designed to introduce the intern to the responsibilities of and issues faced by archivists in art museums.
Under the general direction of the Archivist, the Archives Intern will assist with organizing and providing access to HoMA’s archival collections. The focus of this internship will be updating historical finding aids and cataloging collections into the library management system Alma. The intern may also assist with other archives projects based on individual interests, including interdepartmental work and Centennial projects.
This is a 9-week position from September 16th to November 13th, 2026.
The Honolulu Museum of Art:
Opened in 1927, the Honolulu Museum of Art is a home for art and education created for the benefit of the entire community. Founder Anna Rice Cooke envisioned a museum that would bring people together through the power of art and “the deep intuitions that are common to all.” The museum was conceived of as a place of meaningful exchange and dialogue, celebrating the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of Hawai‘i’s multi-ethnic population. From this founding intention grew the museum of today, with a world-class encyclopedic collection of more than 55,000 works of art, representing a stunning breadth of places and eras, from all corners of the globe and from the ancient past to the present day.
To learn more about HoMA, please visit our website.
Desired Qualifications:
• Current enrollment or recent completion of a degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Library/Information Science or similar undergraduate or graduate program.
• Interest in museum archives and/or records management.
• Preferred experience with or willingness to learn MARC records creation.
• Detail oriented and organized.
• Effective communication skills.
• The traits of honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, and perspective; a very strong work ethic, supported by commitment and follow-through.
Essential Duties:
• Update historical finding aids to ensure they meet professional standards.
• Create MARC records in Alma for archival collections.
• Work with the archivist to establish and improve cataloging workflows.
• Assist with reference inquiries.
• Other internship-relevant duties as requested.
Learning Outcomes:
• Gain an understanding of how archives can utilize library management systems.
• Improve archival arrangement and description skills.
• Develop research, information management and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with institutional and professional records.
• Gain an understanding of the role of a museum archive and the relationship between the archives and other museum departments.
Ipu Kāʻeo Internship Program – Required Attendance
Interns must be available for the following days in participation for the Fall 2026 cohort:
• HoMA Orientation Week – September 16th to September 18th
• Internship Presentation Showcase Practice –Friday, October 23rd
• Internship Presentation Showcase – Wednesday, November 4th
• To complete the program, an additional component for the intern is the creation and presentation of a 3–5-minute slideshow.
• Celebration Lunch & Exit Interview – Friday, November 13th
Compensation
HoMA is committed to practicing salary transparency. The pay for this position is $20.00 per hour with final compensation based on experience, education, market date, and internal equity.
Benefits Include:
• Shop, Museum Café, and Art School discounts for the duration of the internship.
• Onsite parking provided.
Working Conditions and Atmosphere:
Works in an office environment. General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm with flexible scheduling as needed. Ability to operate general office equipment including computer, copier, printers, fax machine, etc. Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, up to 25 lbs. of general office material or equipment. Ability to work some evening and weekend hours.
The employee must be able to fulfil all Essential Duties with or without a reasonable accommodation. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
EEOC Statement:
HoMA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. HoMA recruits, hires, trains, promotes, compensates, and administers all personnel actions and benefit programs without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, including pregnancy and gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, reproductive health decisions, marital status, arrest and court record (except as legally applicable), citizenship, credit history, military and veteran service, victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse victim status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibilities and essential functions of this position but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work duties and requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.
HoMA maintains a policy of nondiscrimination in all employment practices and decisions, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals. This applies to both HoMA employees and applicants for employment with the Museum. Any form of harassment of any employee because of any protected status is prohibited.
HoMA welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life, and this is reflected in our diverse community of employees. We encourage applications from candidates across a wide variety of backgrounds, including, but not limited to, people of all races and ethnicities, people with disabilities, women, veterans, and all members of the LGBTQ+ community.
A Cover Letter is required for this application.