2026 Performance and Artist-in-Residence Intern: Summer (Housing not provided)

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time; and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non‑profit charitable organization with free admission.
Position Summary

The Intern, Performance & Artist-in-Residence is a member of the Curatorial team who supports the programmatic vision through curatorial and administrative support as well as the multiple initiatives of the Artist in Residence Program. Reporting to the Curator of Performance and Director, Artist‑in‑Residence the Intern supports an active team in the research, planning and implementation of Performance and Artist-in-Residence activities across Crystal Bridges and the Momentary, including but not limited to exhibitions, festivals, artist talks, special projects, and Artist‑in‑Residency visitors and programs.
Duties and Responsibilities

Performance

responsibilities include:
Support research and content development for the ongoing program of performances, presentations, commissions, and artist residencies
Support writing, including program notes, program descriptions, marketing copy, wall texts, content guides for use internally, and catalogue entries
Support artist‑led, public‑facing opportunities under the supervision of the Curator
Support design, development and presenting of internal and external share‑outs
Support development, maintenance, and monitoring of Performance budget in collaboration with collaborating departments
Support venue tours and brief staff and volunteers on program details
Provide organizational support for Performance projects, including scheduling project meetings, booking meeting rooms, preparing agendas and sending out notes focused on next steps
Support review and execution of contracts
Support the coordination of Performance and Artist-in-Residence interns and volunteers
Support organizing, maintaining, and archiving project files and documentation
Support project management of Performance projects, working closely with the Curator, Production team, internal departments, and various outside vendors
Artist‑in‑Residence

responsibilities include:
Support the daily operations of the Artist-in-Residence program
Support Curatorial Assistant, Performance & Artist-in-Residence Coordinator in arrangements for artists-in-residence, including housing, transportation, community connections, and in‑studio/on‑site needs
Work closely with Curatorial team to support the growth and improvements of the developing program
Additional Responsibilities

Work closely with the other members of the Curatorial team, as well as with team members in Operations, Guest Experience, Brand Strategy and Communications, Learning & Engagement, Special Events
Perform duties in a consistently professional, approachable, proactive manner and be able to organize and balance multiple tasks, including administrative tasks that are complex in nature and require considerable discretion and confidentiality
Work across multiple, overlapping timelines to ensure all external and inter‑departmental communications are clear, timely, and documented
Answer inquiries in a prompt, professional manner and ensure all inter‑departmental communications are clear, timely, helpful, and documented
Provides suggestions to improve processes and for keeping projects on time and within budget
Keep supervisor informed as to any issues or changes in project scope
Help foster team creativity, collegiality, timeliness, and mutual respect, to create experiences that engage and delight guests
Generates and contributes solutions as challenges crop up
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications

Focus on Arts Administration, Curating, Art History or equivalent experience preferred
Knowledge of Performance including music, theater, dance, performance art, time-based media preferred
Knowledge of Visual Arts preferred but not required
Experience working with Artists preferred but not required
Proven experience and success in project coordination and in meeting deadlines within fast-paced working environments
Willingness to learn specialized software systems is preferred, including TMS, EMS, Workday
Ability to work independently, as well as within a team
Ability to maintain the highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of curatorial endeavor and to understand and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and discretion
Timeline

Intern selected by: March 1st
Schedule: Start Date: May 4th, 2026 – End Date: August 1, 2026. Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor. Interns are permitted to work up to 40 hours a week. To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.
Compensation

Undergraduate Interns: $13.00
Graduate Interns: $14.00
To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s compensation, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.
Housing for internship positions is contingent upon available funding and is not guaranteed. Housing for this position is not provided.
Interns who receive housing (if available) will be compensated accordingly; any relocation assistance provided is considered taxable income and will appear on the intern’s Form W‑2. When housing is available, priority is given to students whose permanent residence is located outside a three‑hour radius (approximately 150 miles) of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art or the Momentary.
The applicant selected for this position will receive an $800 relocation allowance, issued 3–5 business days after completing the first week of the internship program.
Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands: In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job. Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. The noise level in the museum work environment is usually low to moderate.
EEO Statement

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States. Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non‑profit charitable organization.

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