COMMUNITY MUSEUM COORDINATOR
Position Code: CULTHER092
Location: Cow Head, Newfoundland (inside Gros Morne National Park)
Summer, 2009
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
QLF is seeking an intern to work in a small community museum in a Newfoundland outport. The intern will assist the museum’s director in updating the museum’s exhibits, cataloguing its artifacts and documents, and guiding visitors through a heritage trail.
The community of Cow Head lies within the exquisitely scenic Gros Morne National Park. Its once thriving fishing industry has been severely challenged by the disintegration of ground fish stocks and severe catch quotas. In response to the resulting economic downturn, community residents have undertaken to develop a tourism industry. The community hosts a popular hotel and award-winning live theatre. The local Dr. Henry H. Payne museum was the first community museum in the province. Along with the museum is a heritage trail that leads to significant archeological and geological sites and passes through the remains of a summer fishing community.
HOURS: Interns may generally work Monday-Friday, from 9-5, but should expect variations on this schedule due to occasional evening or weekend events. Despite these variations, work will be roughly the equivalent of full-time hours.
QUALIFICATIONS: The candidate should have a strong interest in cultural heritage and in its role in community development as well as an academic background in history, sociology, anthropology, geography, public relations, tourism or a related field within the social sciences. An artistic eye for display, a feel for how to exhibit artifacts, and patience for detailed cataloguing tasks are also essential to this position. In addition, we are seeking someone who is self-motivated and who can independently identify tasks and work toward their completion. These skills should be complemented by a strong capacity to work collaboratively and to share and generate creativity as part of a team.
STIPEND AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: This position is contingent on funding. Stipend depends on qualifications, background, and available funds. Certain work-related expenses will be covered. Applications are due by Monday, March 16, 2009, but are accepted on a rolling basis, so it is in your interest to apply earlier. Please go to the “how to apply (english) (français)” section of our website and complete our online application form. Eligible students of McGill University should apply for this position through the McGill Arts Internship Program by January 26, 2009 and are strongly encouraged to apply for a McGill Arts Internship Award.
This internship will appeal to candidates with interdisciplinary interests and a desire for a profound cultural experience in one of Canada’s most beautiful and least-known regions. The internship offers not only exposure to the rich cultural heritage of Newfoundland, but provides the opportunity to work closely with community leaders to address real issues that affect their community’s economic sustainability and cultural vitality. This position should therefore appeal to a wide range of candidates who are interested in making a big difference at a small scale.