Work With Us
Are you interested in becoming an integral part of the multi-faceted Palmer Museum of Art? See below for information in employment opportunities, internships, and volunteer work at the museum.Available Positions
Become a part of the team at the Palmer Museum of Art! See all open job postings below.
- Chief Preparator – Supervisor
- The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is seeking applicants for the position of Chief Preparator. This is a full-time staff position reporting directly to the Assistant Director. This professional position requires considerable experience and expertise in art handling, preparation, and installation, as well as mastery of specialized skills, strategic thinking, and knowledge of best practices in the field of museum preparation.
- Apply for the Chief Preparator job here
- Curator of American Art
- The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is seeking applicants for the position of Curator of American Arts. The museum serves Penn State’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and public service and stands strong in the values of relevancy, integrity, service, and engagement and is guided by its mission, strategic goals, and core values. The Curator of American Art helps realize the Palmer Museum of Art’s vision to serve as a gateway that connects communities through art. The museum embraces diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion and actively incorporates these principles into all areas of its operations and culture. The Curator of American Art shares these ideals and is committed to helping steward the museum’s expansive collection of American art and exhibition program into the next phase of its history.
- Apply for the Curator of American Art job here
- Education and Public Programs Specialist
- The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is seeking an Education and Public Programs Specialist to create, develop, deliver, manage, and evaluate a portfolio of dynamic, participatory educational experiences for diverse museum audiences of all ages. These museum programs include family/community programs, workshops, studio sessions, summer camps, tours, volunteer programs, and in-gallery activities and demonstrations that enhance exhibitions, showcase museum collections and research, and foster connections with the community. As part of an energetic team of museum educators, this position collaborates with all museum departments and develops relationships with university units and community organizations to determine program needs and develop assessment and evaluation methods.
- Apply for the Education and Public Programs Specialist here
Internships
Summer Internships
Penn State graduate students and upper-level undergraduates contribute to research, interpretation, exhibition planning, project management, and collections care in addition to completing regular department assignments. Recruitment takes place during February of each year.
Summer internships are funded by the Art Bridges Foundation, Silver Trout Curatorial Graduate Internship Program, the Annie Gooding Sykes Internship, and the Pincus Family Foundation Endowment for Student Education.
Spring 2025 Internships
During the fall and spring semesters, students work 8–10 hours per week contributing to ongoing projects and department needs. Positions are available in all museum departments, including: curatorial, education, communications, graphic design, digital projects, visitor services, collections management, and preparation. Recruitment takes place in March for fall semesters and October/November for spring semesters.
Volunteer Opportunities
Friends Leadership Council
The Friends Leadership Council (FLC) is an engaged group of volunteer leaders from around the community and beyond who advocate for the arts at Penn State and help to plan a variety of events.
Learn More
Palmer Ambassadors
Love art and meeting new people? Want to give back AND get involved with the NEW Palmer Museum of Art? Volunteer as a Palmer Ambassador!
Applications for Spring 2025 onboarding COMING SOON