COMMUNITY CULTURE & HERITAGE MAPPING INTERNSHIP

Position Code: CULTHER101
Location: Missisquoi Bay and Richelieu Valley River areas and/or Montreal Quebec
Spring-Summer 2010 with possibility of extension

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Quebec-Labrador Foundation (QLF) is a 50-year-old charitable organisation with a focus on sustainable community and leadership development within rural Eastern Canada.

QLF is working with local partners to develop an online, interactive, participatory map of the arts, culture and heritage of the Richelieu River and Missisquoi Bay areas. The project will in particular be aimed at interpreting the region’s English-speaking and ‘bi-cultural’ heritage. Additional goals of the project include fostering regional networking and dialogue about culture between people and organisations along the waterway, and enhancing a sense of shared culture with the area around Lake Champlain in Vermont and New York.

The Intern will be responsible for generating content for the website. This will involve conducting research about the arts, culture and history of the region, gathering community inventories, writing text and conducting image research. In addition, the Intern will assist with designing and implementing a participatory process to foster broad public participation in building website content, including outreach to local schools. This will include organizing community mapping and cultural events.

This internship would fit well with a student wishing to focus on this initiative as part of a Master’s program. Also, it could be possible to integrate specific tasks related to GIS and mapping depending on the skills and interests of the Intern. There is some flexibility in terms of the main place of work – QLF’s Montreal office or various locations along the Richelieu River and Missisquoi Bay could be possible.

HOURS: This is a paid, part-time internship, with some variability due to site visits and events onsite.

REQUIREMENTS: The candidate should have a strong interest in the arts, cultural heritage and in its role in community development as well as an academic background in cultural studies, anthropology, geography, environmental studies or a related field within the social sciences.  Experience working with mapping technology is an asset. The individual should have excellent communication skills in English and in French. A valid driver’s licence is a further requirement.

TO APPLY: Please visit the “How to Apply” (english) (français) section of our website and complete our online application form. The deadline is April 9, 2010. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so it is in your interest to apply early.