Intern, Out of Eden Project Assistant

The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) at NYU Shanghai seeks 2 project assistant interns to support Out of Eden curatorial fellow, June Ke, in the research, development, planning, and execution of the Out of Eden exhibition and related events.  The project assistants will be required to work throughout the 2022-23 academic year (Fall, Spring, as well as J-term and Summer months). 

 

The Out of Eden Project Assistant position is a rare opportunity for students interested in supporting the making of an exhibition from start to finish, gaining introductory experience to the gallery and museum sector, while also making a significant contribution to the ICA’s programs.  This position is an ideal primer for students considering internships within the gallery and museum sector and/or gaining professional experience prior to pursuing graduate studies in the arts, humanities and humanistic social sciences. 

 

The Out of Eden Walk is a global storytelling project, through which Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and National Geographic Fellow Paul Salopek is retracing our human ancestors’ ancient migration on foot and across the globe. His 38000 kilometer (24000 miles), multiyear odyssey began in Ethiopia—our evolutionary “Eden”—in January 2013 and will end at the tip of South America.  In October 2021, Salopek embarked on the “Middle Kingdom ” chapter of this journey through China, beginning at the southern border in Yunnan province, walking over 6000 kilometers along the transversal Hu line, and ending at China’s northern frontier with Russia. 

 

Out of Eden in China is now embarking on an unprecedented endeavor: WALKED CHINA (title TBC), a multimedia exhibition in partnership with the ICA at NYU Shanghai during the summer of 2023 – the 10th anniversary year of the Out of Eden Walk, as well as of NYU Shanghai.  During Salopek’s journey through China, walking partners and those encountered along the walk will be invited to join at different intervals and to participate in the exhibition.   Participants may include craftspersons, visual artists, photographers, filmmakers, writers, musicians, dancers, naturalists, and folk historians.  Their multisensory objects and stories – spanning all media from painting, sculpture, photography, video, sound, performance, and craft – will be collected and featured in an exhibition co-curated by Salopek and Out of Eden Curatorial Fellow June Ke.

 

Responsibilities

 

Project Assistant responsibilities will vary according to the project phases:

 

Fall 2022 – Research & Development:

• Assist in communications with artists/contributors
• Conduct literature reviews and topical research
• Assist in drafting final proposal and supporting documents

 

J-term/Spring 2023 – Planning & Execution:

• Assist in communications with vendors
• Researching feasibility of artwork production
• Assist in drafting interpretive, didactic, and promotional materials

 

Summer 2023 – Execution:

• Monitor/host gallery during exhibition hours
• Assist in exhibition maintenance
• Support exhibition related events (screenings, talks, tours, etc.)
• Assist in drafting post-project report for funders and stakeholders
• NOTE: During this period, position may require work during evenings and weekends.

 

Project Assistant responsibilities are subject to change depending on the project needs determined by the curatorial fellow and assistant’s skills and background.

 

The position will be for a maximum of 20-40 hours per week, starting on 31 October 2022 through 31 August 2023 (10 months).  The position will be paid at 30 RMB per hour. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• English and Mandarin fluency (reading, writing and speaking)
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Strong independent research skills
• Adept at organization, project, and time management
• Strong attention to detail

• Graphic/web design & development skills a plus
• Video/sound editing skills a plus
• Familiarity with contemporary arts a plus
• Majoring in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences a plus

 

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV/resume, and writing sample (a paper written for a humanities course) to shanghai.ica@nyu.edu with the subject line: “Out of Eden Project Assistant” before 00:00 China Standard Time on 9 October 2022. 

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