C. Daniel Dawson Curatorial + Research Intern

C. Daniel Dawson Curatorial + Research Intern supports the mission of Indigo Arts Alliance by working with our C. Daniel Dawson Curatorial + Research Fellow, by supporting the development and maintenance of the photo archiving systems to document and share images, film, photographs and prints. The selected intern works under the supervision of the C. Daniel Dawson Curatorial + Research Fellows is a prestigious annual program dedicated to celebrating the remarkable legacy of scholar, photographer, educator and curator, C. Daniel Dawson. The selected fellow works directly with Black and Brown artists, curators, and scholars and supports the innovative research and curatorial projects focused on African American art, African Diaspora studies, photography, and art history. The hired intern will support our Dawson Fellow by implementing strategies that enhance the accessibility of these archives, bridging traditional preservation techniques with innovative, digital-forward approaches, working extensively in photographs. This initiative positions the fellowship as a vital connection between historical preservation and future-oriented curation. This internship does NOT include housing or travel allowance. Intern must work onsite at the fellowship office space in the Bronx, New York City. 

Roles and responsibilities may include but not limited to the following: 

• Scanning negative contact sheets, film slide contact sheets, etc.
• Storing negatives and photos into archival preservation sleeves and boxes
• Image-editing digital photos (color balance, exposure, contrast, blemish-correction, etc.)
• Updating labels and spreadsheets
• Streamline internal/external communications software
• Assist in researching and setting up new communications 
• Maintain and organize internal IAA Google Drive 
• Maintaining the IAA content archives

Qualifications:

• Must be based in New York City
• Currently enrolled, or recently graduated from a college or university
• Art education or experience (photography, painting, sculpture, printmaking experience preferred but not required; however strongly encouraged) 
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Strong technical skills in computer literacy
• Aptitude in digital/social media and all its platforms 
• Good organization skills with attention to detail
• Ability to receive feedback and critique with humility, modesty, and respect 
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Desire to find creative solutions to all challenges and problems 
• Personal qualities of kindness, integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission 
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow specific step-by-step instructions 

Compensation and Hours

The internship takes place over a comprehensive 135 hours. The designation of those hours are to be determined by the selected intern and their supervisor. The payment rate is $1,500, to be distributed in thirds throughout the internship period. This internship is possible through the generous philanthropy of our community organizations to help foster and grow young brown and black artists that are emerging within their careers. While introducing young students to established, mid-career and budding POC artists in the local New York City  community, and hosting space for talking about work from a different perspective, this opportunity allows for artists of all kinds to learn and grow. This position is available to currently enrolled students pursuing an undergraduate, or graduate degree as well as recent graduates who graduated within a year of the application period. The rate of compensation does not change with graduate status.

About Indigo Arts Alliance (based in Portland, Maine) connects Black and Brown artists from around the world with Maine’s artists of African descent through a multidisciplinary artist-in-residency program that embodies a Black-led approach to creativity, community-building, and mentoring. We are an incubator for Black artists. We amplify the creative voices and visions of global and local artists and facilitate cross-cultural collaboration using a multidisciplinary approach. This approach is exemplified by Indigo’s Artist-in-Residence programs;  mentorship, David C. Driskell Fellowship and C. Daniel Dawson Curatorial + Research Fellowship. All of these programs are rooted in the spirit of mentorship and the relationships that are birthed from them. We work with selected artists to design public engagement events, workshops, artists talks’ and symposiums. Programs are relevant to our artists’ creative practice in ways that honor their individual arts heritage, ethnic roots and expressions of cultural resilience. This effort can include partnering with organizations and institutions to strengthen and build connections to the global arts movement. 

 Another extension of our mentoring model is within our internship program. At the beginning of each semester, Indigo Arts Alliance offers three internships: Communication and Marketing Administration Internship, the Studio Arts and Programming Administration Internship and now the C. Daniel Dawson Curatorial + Research Internship based in New York City. Applications for our internships are on a rolling basis.

Staffing

IAA, Portland Maine based staff, is currently being led by Executive Director, Jordia Benjamin; Co-Founder and Chief Officer of Strategic Growth, Marcia Minter; Co-Founder and Artist Director, Daniel Minter, Deputy Director, Jordia Benjamin; Studio and Programs Manager, Ashley Page and Administrative Assistant, Veronica Perez. Indigo Arts Alliance is also supported by a robust community of partners, sponsors and funders.