Anne Ray Internship FAQs
Please note that the Indian Arts Research Center (IARC) is a division of the School for Advanced Research (SAR). IARC is located on the campus of SAR.
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Questions about eligibility
Who can apply?
Do I have to provide a copy of my CIB or tribal enrollment card to apply for the internship for Native individuals?
Are there any age limitations?
Questions about the application itself
When is the deadline?
What does a completed application include?
Can I submit my application in multiple parts?
Can my school(s) send my transcripts on my behalf?
Can my recommender submit their letter of recommendation separately?
Can I submit my application via email or fax?
Can I submit my application to the Indian Arts Research Center in person?
Can you review an application before I submit it?
Does the application process include an interview?
If my application is declined, can I submit another application for the next round of internships?
If my application is declined, can I have it forwarded to the next round of internship application reviews?
When will I know if I’m chosen as an IARC intern or not?
Questions about SAR, IARC and Santa Fe
Do you provide classes at SAR or at the IARC?
Can I take classes outside of SAR?
Do I need a car while in living in Santa Fe?
Is there a bus stop near SAR?
Questions about the internships
What are the time commitments for the internship?
How much does the internship pay?
What does SAR expect of me as an intern?
What sorts of projects will interns work on while at SAR?
What kinds of collections would I be working with?
What kind of workspace is provided?
Do I have to live on campus?
Can my family and friends visit?
Can I bring my family or children with me?
Can I bring my pet(s)?
Will I need to provide a cleaning/damage deposit?
General Tips
Questions about eligibility
Who can apply?
The IARC hosts two Anne Ray internships per year. One is open to Native individuals, while the other is open to idividuals from all backgrounds (you must be a US or Canadian citizen to be considered for either internship position). You must have graduated college and hold a bachelor’s degree by the start of the internship to apply. You must also have previous museum experience via an internship, volunteering, or employment.
Do I have to provide a copy of my CIB or tribal enrollment card to apply for the internship for Native individuals?
No, but you must specify your affiliated tribe or nation.
Are there any age limitations?
No, but you must hold a bachelor’s degree by September 1 of the year you are applying.
Questions about the application itself
When is the deadline?
All applications must be completed and RECEIVED by March 1 of each year. If March 1 falls on a weekend, your packet must be received by that following Monday. There are no exceptions to the deadline.
What does a completed application include?
A completed application includes:
• Completed application form
• Cover letter expressing how the internship will help you achieve your professional goals in a museum or academia
• Unofficial transcript indicating bachelor’s degree earned and graduate school transcripts if applicable
• Current résumé (include relevant training, public presentations, community service, published writing)
• Current academic writing sample and bibliography, not to exceed 15 pages (sample may be a section from a larger work)
• One letter of recommendation from a faculty member or former museum supervisor mailed by the applicant (if you are applying by mail).
Can I submit my application in multiple parts?
We prefer that applications be submitted as one packet. This allows you, as the applicant, to know that your application is complete.
Can my school(s) send my transcripts on my behalf?
We prefer that you submit your application as one single packet. We are aware, however, that some schools will only send transcripts directly to the program to which you are applying. In these cases, we will accept the transcript separately.
Can my recommender submit their letter of recommendation separately?
We prefer that applications be submitted as one packet. Please have your recommender give you your letter in a sealed envelope with their signature over the seal to prevent tampering. You can then include the sealed letter with your application packet.
Can I submit my application via email or fax?
We are currently not accepting emailed or faxed applications. You can, however, submit your application via our online application portal.
Can I submit my application to the Indian Arts Research Center in person?
Yes. Our hours are Monday–Friday, 9–5.
Can you review an application before I submit it?
No.
Does the application process include an interview?
Yes, finalists will be contacted for a zoom/phone interview with the application review panel prior to May 1st.
If my application is declined, can I submit another application for the next round of internships?
Yes.
If my application is declined, can I have it forwarded to the next round of internship application reviews?
Yes, we can forward your application, but it may be in your best interest to revise your application.
When will I know if I’m chosen as an IARC intern or not?
You will receive notification before May 1.
Questions about SAR, IARC and Santa Fe
Do you provide classes at SAR or at the IARC?
No. SAR and IARC host a variety of public lectures but do not hold classes. Please explore our website for a better idea of the types of programs SAR and IARC provide.
Can I take classes outside of SAR?
Yes, but it cannot interfere with your internship duties.
Do I need a car while in living in Santa Fe?
It is not absolutely necessary but highly recommended. Santa Fe, in general, is not a very pedestrian-friendly city, and public transportation is limited. The location of SAR within Santa Fe is largely residential, and it is surrounded by long narrow roads and virtually non-existent sidewalks. Additionally, please realize that Santa Fe is located nearly 7,000 feet above sea level; unless you are used to high elevations, you will likely find the air to be rather thin.
There is a bookstore and coffee shop roughly ½ mile away. A small grocery store and several museums are roughly one mile away. Residents generally bring their own cars. Some buy inexpensive used cars then sell them, others rent, and others choose to walk/take the bus.
Is there a bus stop near SAR?
The closest bus stop is roughly one mile away at Museum Hill. The bus goes to the downtown transit station, from which you may transfer to wherever you need to go. Check here for Santa Fe bus information.
Questions about the internships
What are the time commitments for the internship?
Interns work Monday through Friday, from 9am–5:30pm. Occasionally evening or weekend hours are required; these hours are flexed from the regular work schedule so as to not exceed a forty-hour work week.
How much does the internship pay?
In addition to covering relocation costs to and from Santa Fe, as well as free housing and utilities on or near the SAR campus, internships include a $22,500 stipend paid out semi-monthly over nine months.
What does SAR expect of me as an intern?
Interns are required to work in three areas of focus during their internship: collections management, registration, and programming and education. In addition, each intern is required to give one public presentation during their internship period. This may be a conference presentation, SAR colloquium presentation, or class talk. Interns are strongly encouraged to participate in campus events and are required to attend the Wednesday colloquium series with SAR staff and resident scholars. Interns may also be asked to meet with donors, board members, or other people related to SAR.
What sorts of projects will interns work on while at SAR?
Interns divide their time evenly between three areas at the IARC in order to receive training in a broad range of topics: collections management, registration, and programming and education. Collections management includes learning about the care and preservation of the collection; registration consists of learning about the maintenance of and documentation for the collections database (TMS); and programming and education covers the interpretive aspects of the collection.
What kinds of collections would I be working with?
The overwhelming majority of our collections are from the Native Southwest and date from the last two centuries. We do not have large archaeological holdings. To find out more about our collections, visit here.
What kind of workspace is provided?
Interns are provided with their own workspace within a shared office at the Indian Arts Research Center.
Do I have to live on campus?
Yes.
Can my family and friends visit?
Yes, for periods up to one week. We also have a number of different programs and activities scheduled throughout the fellowship period they can attend.
Can I bring my family or children with me?
Yes. If you plan on bringing family with you during your internship, please make note of this on your application so we can provide appropriate accommodations.
Can I bring my pet(s)?
Some pets are allowed with pre-approval.
Will I need to provide a cleaning/damage deposit?
Yes, a $500 deposit is required. This is usually taken out of the intern’s first stipend check. The deposit is returned after the intern has moved out of the residence, provided that the residence is still in good condition.
General Tips
Before applying to any of our programs, please take the time to learn more about the School for Advanced Research and the Indian Arts Research Center by browsing through our website.
Double check your application to make sure everything is filled out, all the appropriate boxes are checked off, and there are no errors.
If you plan to submit a physical application, please provide a typed application if possible.