Job Information
Seattle Art Museum Betty Bowen Award Administration Intern in Seattle, Washington
Summer Quarter 2025
Applications Due Date: April 18, 2025, 5pm PST
Position Start Date: July 7, 2025
TITLE : Betty Bowen Award Intern
DEPARTMENT/LOCATION : Curatorial Department, SAM Downtown
DEPARTMENT STAFF MENTORS: Curatorial Division Coordinator and Associate Curator for Modern & Contemporary Art
FLSA Status: Temporary, Non-Exempt
Compensation: $20.77 per hour
Benefits: Temporary SAM Staff have access to an onsite fitness facility and SAM’s museum library, can access a no-cost Employee Assistance Program resource, enjoy a 20% discount at the SAM Museum Shop and a 10% discount at SAM’s MARKET cafe, receive 2 SAM guest passes per quarter worked, can access 8 Home Free Guarantee cab rides home per year, and accrue paid sick leave at a rate of .0385 per hour worked.
SAM Interns are also eligible for a Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums, access to member rates for ticketed events at SAM, and access to a subsidized ORCA card.
OVERVIEW
The Betty Bowen Award Intern assists with the planning, organization, and implementation of the annual Betty Bowen Award, an award granted to outstanding visual artists currently living and working in the Pacific Northwest.
The Betty Bowen Intern will assist with the organization and administration of the Betty Bowen Award, now in its 48th year. The intern will coordinate and attend committee meetings, promote the call for entries, organize artist applications, correspond with artists about the award, manage communication with the Committee, and produce press releases and mailings related to the award.
This internship position reports to the Curatorial Division Coordinator and the Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. The intern will also work with the Jon and Mary Shirley Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Betty Bowen Committee. They will also coordinate with artists living in the Northwest and other SAM Departments.
More information about the Betty Bowen Award can be found on our website at www.visitsam.org/betty-bowen .
EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT:
15 hours per week, for 10 weeks. Schedule is flexible within Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm office hours.
The intern will be expected to work extended hours, from roughly 9am-5pm, for two committee meetings in September. The dates for these meetings are not yet confirmed, but will be provided prior to an offer for this role.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Working with their supervisor, this intern will gain hands-on experience with public outreach, awards administration, and working with a philanthropic board. The intern will further develop their skills in community engagement, project management, communication, and writing.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Betty Bowen Intern will be responsible for helping to organize and administer all aspects of the Betty Bowen Award, including:
Becoming familiar with the history, purpose, and application requirements of the Betty Bowen Award.
Promotion and support for the call for entries to NW artists, galleries, and museums.
Organization of artist applications, including video submissions.
Communication and assistance with the award application process.
Managing communication with the Committee.
Compiling of all meeting materials, including PowerPoints, videos, and application packets.
Coordination of and attendance at all committee meetings.
Completion of a press release following announcement of the award.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Ability to take initiative, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines with limited supervision.
Demonstrated skill in project management or coordination involving multiple stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to communicate tactfully and professionally with customers, staff, volunteers, artists, committee members, and other community groups.
Proficient in writing and editing with a professional tone.
Demonstrated expertise and proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and the internet.
Ability to ask for help and accept evaluation of your work.
Ability to adhere to museum policies and to support management decisions in a positive, professional manner.
EDUCATION
Currently working towards or recent completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree in arts administration, fine art, museum studies, nonprofit management, or other related field.
Competitive applicants will have a demonstrated interest in Modern and Contemporary Art and/or artists from the Pacific Northwest.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Exposure : Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Work is occasionally performed at other indoor and outdoor sites.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED FOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Stationary Work : Approximately 80% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 20%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required when assisting at Museum events.
Communication: Clear and effective communication with volunteers, donors, members, the public, and co-workers is necessary.
Moving : The ability to move up to twenty pounds on occasion is necessary for moving files, equipment, and supplies. Must be able to regularly position self to access files.
Office Work : Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare, and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.
APPLICATION PROCESS (DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: April 18, 2025, 5pm PST)
Applications are only accepted via the online form at https://seattleartmuseum.applytojob.com/apply .
Application materials in PDF format may also be sent to internships@seattleartmuseum.org.
Each application should include:
Application Form (completed online)
A Cover Letter that describes:
Your previous experience and how it relates to the duties of this role.
Your approach to project management, organization, and coordination between multiple stakeholders.
Your communication style and how you have applied interpersonal skill in a professional setting.
What you hope to gain from this experience and how might it enhance your education and career plans.
Resume , which describes experience you believe is relevant to this internship and your professional goals. This may include professional experience, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, community service, and academic projects.
One or More Professional References or Letters of Recommendation, ideally from teachers, supervisors, or mentors. Reference information may be emailed directly to internships@seattleartmuseum.org , with the applicant name noted in the Subject line.
For additional information or to request reasonable accommodations for the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (206) 654-3188 or HR@seattleartmuseum.org.
Celebrating difference. At Seattle Art Museum, our members, visitors, and local community come from all walks of life, and so do our employees, volunteers, and interns. The plurality of our identities and experiences strengthens our mission: connecting art to life. Our mission and vision call us to be responsive to a multitude of cultural contexts and lived experiences, and as such, our Strategic Plan directly addresses the role art plays in empowering and elevating social justice movements, and promoting structural change to further equity in our society. SAM is particularly dedicated to racial equity in the workplace, because we know that people of color are the most impacted when it comes to both historical and present inequities. We know that equity is not a single fixed destination, it’s ongoing reckoning. As SAM continually strives to be a more inclusive and equitable workplace, we are particularly interested in engaging with those who have been historically underrepresented in the museum field. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we celebrate difference.
SAM is an equal opportunity employer. We are an equal opportunity employer, and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, sensory, physical, or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. If you need assistance applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know at hr@seattleartmuseum.org. The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for all employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of the role. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact hr@seattleartmuseum.org. For candidates, we ask that, if possible, you wait until you're invited to a screen, online technical assessment or interview before requesting an accommodation.
We encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we include, celebrate and embrace difference. We encourage you to submit an application, even if your experience doesn’t feel like a 100% match with the position. We know applying for a job can be intimidating, and research tells us that womxn and folks of color are less likely to apply if they don't see themselves meeting or exceeding every single qualification listed. We encourage you to apply, even if you feel unsure about whether you meet every requirement in this job post. You could very well be a great fit for this role or others.
Requirements for employment. In order to be employed by the Seattle Art Museum, you must reside in the state of Washington. Employment at SAM is contingent upon successful clearing and maintenance of clearance in both a federal and state criminal background check.
Want to learn more? If you haven't already, check out our Careers page for more on working at SAM.
Though we'd love to be able to reply to every question that crosses our desk, due to the high volume of applications we receive, our HR team is unfortunately unable to offer a response to inquiries requesting search status updates, inquiries about hiring timeline, or requests to be put in touch with directly with the Hiring Team. If your experiences and capabilities are well suited to an open role, our Recruiter or the Hiring Manager will reach out directly to schedule an interview. Thanks for your understanding!
Powered by JazzHR