Inspiring Discovery Through Art
TJC offers internship opportunities in art history to undergraduate and graduate students from institutions of higher learning in Spartanburg and beyond.
Words from our Graduates
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“Two of the artists I wrote biographies for are now in my PhD dissertation. The opportunity to organize an exhibition, esp. with TJC staff guidance, and then coming back for a gallery talk, has given me a lot of talking points for job interviews.”
Elizabeth Smith Former Graduate Fellow MFA Boston
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“My internship allowed me to employ the research skills I developed in school in a real world setting where they could influence the collection and future research. I learned so much about artists I had not heard of before and developed a deep interest in the work of BMC artists that I carry into my studies at the IFA now.”
Abby Henthorn Former Intern New York University as an Art History Graduate Student
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“TJC gave me experience a lot of people do not have before graduating undergrad, I assisted with exhibition lighting, object cataloging, and researching artist biographies. This past fall I gave a presentation in one of my graduate courses on TJC, and their public programing/interactive art exhibitions as a model for what museums should be doing. “
Allison Mason Former Intern University of Arkansas & Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
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“With TJC, I learned how to research and study something fully. Even though I don’t work in the art world, (although I wish I did!) it taught me how to research and test myself which has had a profound impact on how I approach my everyday job.”
Lawson Deevers Former Intern CBRE Healthcare
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“Having the experience of working with a private collection has also enabled me to provide a greater depth of context for the museum studies courses I now teach and has directly impacted how I lead and direct the art museum at Berea College now.”
Kelsey Malone Former Graduate Fellow Curator at the Berea College Art Collection
Undergraduate Internships
In support of Spartanburg’s designation as a “College Town, USA” and in accord with the Johnson family’s strong commitment to education, The Johnson Collection currently offers two competitive, comprehensive internships each academic year.
Open to senior art history majors with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher who are interested in pursuing employment or advanced study in the field, these semester-long placements provide selected students with opportunities to develop research and curatorial skills.
Post-Graduate Offerings
A paid residential post-graduate fellowship offers emerging scholars hands-on research and curatorial experience.
The Johnson Collection offers an annual summer research fellowship for graduate students in art history, providing an opportunity to engage deeply with TJC’s holdings of art of the American South through research and writing. The eight-week fellowship includes a stipend and housing in Spartanburg.
Apply Today
Materials needed are a project proposal, a brief CV, two letters of recommendation, and a relevant writing sample.
For questions regarding undergraduate internships please reach out to Blake Batten, Community Engagement Coordinator.
For questions regarding Graduate Fellowships, please reach out to Sarah Tignor, Director.
Art in Spartanburg
With Southern art available at home and abroad there are many ways to see TJC.
