2026 Summer Research Internships
In summer 2026 the Icon Museum and Study Center (IM+SC) will offer two on-site, six-week research internships: Janet Lankton Research Internship and the John Barns Research Internship. Interns will be based in the Study Center and will focus on building knowledge around the icon collection and Eastern Christian art. In addition to having full access to the icons on display and in storage, they will enjoy borrowing privileges at the Study Center library and College of the Holy Cross and may make use of materials-based study resources. Interns will take part in museum programming and activities and will join in trips to area collections. In consultation with the Curator, interns will develop a project in the first week of their stay; the internship will conclude with a final public presentation of their research at the Study Center.
The internship is open to advanced undergraduate and graduate students at the MA and PhD levels.
IM+SC internships will ideally begin in June running 4-6 weeks, with flexibility on start dates.
To apply, please submit applications to :
- A statement of interest (1-2 pages single spaced). Applicants should present ideas for a project pertaining to their course of study and the Icon Museum collection.
- A C.V. or resume
- Names and contacts of 2 references
- Please submit all information as a single PDF
Interns at the undergraduate level will be compensated $15 per hour; those at the MA and PhD levels $20 per hour for twenty-eight hours a week (four days).
Applications are due April 30.
Please contact the Curator, Elliot Mackin (), for any questions about these positions.
About the Icon Museum and Study Center
The Icon Museum and Study Center holds the most comprehensive collection of icons and Eastern Christian art in the U.S. with special galleries and collections dedicated to Russian, Greek, Veneto-Cretan and Ethiopian icons, spanning nearly two thousand years of art. The Museum’s exhibitions and programs offer a compelling blend of history, spirituality, and culture, all within a serene, contemplative space. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building in a picturesque New England mill town, the Icon Museum features five galleries, a research library, and an auditorium. The Study Center connects scholars, academic institutions, and museums around the globe through its lecture series, conferences, workshops, and internships.
As a John Barns Intern at the Icon Museum and Study Center, I had the invaluable opportunity to engage deeply with Byzantine and post-Byzantine iconography. My experience included hands-on work with a diverse collection of icons, and collaborating with a team of dedicated scholars. This internship not only enhanced my understanding of the historical and cultural significance of these religious artifacts but also honed my skills in archival research and curatorial practices. The mentorship and resources provided by the museum were instrumental in shaping my academic and professional trajectory in the field of art history.
My time at the IM+SC allowed me to explore new topics related to my interests in Russia and religion. I appreciated that the museums’ staff and administration treated the interns with respect, trusting us to handle items in the collection, and conduct research independently. This level of trust and access far exceeded my expectations. Input from the museums curator, Justin Willson, helped me organize my ideas and exposed me to fantastic scholars in the field.