Internship Opportunity
The museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the Cherokee in the upstate. It showcases a rich collection of historical artifacts and contemporary arts and crafts through interpretive displays.
The collection continues to grow, as does the museum space. Students have an exciting opportunity to develop museum administration skills through a MCSC internship guided by museum director Luther Lyle, and Art Department alum from Clemson University, Hannah Cartee Interiano. See the attached MCSC Internship application form for information about the opportunity and how to apply.
Click here —> Internship Description
Collections Intern responsibilities will include:
• Researching and maintaining the collection, including artifact selection, conservation, and storage.
• Developing display designs and incorporating collections where appropriate.
• Consulting with the director and curator regarding museum planning, collections management, and any new developing ideas.
• Helping to organize, log and maintain records of artifacts with PastPerfect Software.
• Learning knowledge of standard museum practices including object handling and environmental requirements within a museum.
• Producing and digitization of images for displays.
• Providing help to the general public as needed to serve the mission of the museum.
• All other duties as assigned.
*Interns are not paid, but are reimbursed for car mileage @ $0.57.5/mile.
Intern Testimonials
Former Intern Denise Ayers
“I was born and raised in northern Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati, Ohio. I moved to South Carolina to attend Clemson University where I received a Masters of Fine Arts degree. Other than a career in studio arts, I have gained experience in museum work, specifically in collections management.”
“At the Museum of the Cherokee I was able to develop my skills in cataloging and handling artifacts and learn about the rich Cherokee history in the region. I had little knowledge of Cherokee life before starting at the museum, and now I admire the many facets of a culture that once thrived here, and is still very present in the upstate today.”
- Denise Ayers
Former Intern Annamarie Williams
Annamarie Williams comes to us from Midland, Michigan. She graduated from Alma College with her BFA in 2017 and went on to pursue a graduate degree from Clemson where she earned her MFA in 2019. She came to the museum in November of 2018 with an interest in small library management. She found her love of libraries and reading at a young age. Her grandmother always had a book in hand and instilled in Williams a love of learning. Williams became a circulation desk supervisor for the Alma College Library in 2013 where she learned about library science. Her background in library studies enabled Williams to create the library at the Museum of the Cherokee in Walhalla. The combination of library management, museum studies and art allowed Williams to pursue her career as a curator. Williams now works as the curator of contemporary fine art and craft at the William King Museum of Art in Virginia. “I would not have had a shot at pursuing a career in curatorial affairs, had I not taken part in volunteering at the Museum of the Cherokee in Walhalla. The museum became my second home and it has the nicest people you’ll ever meet that want to genuinely see you succeed. They’ll help you get to where you want to be in life.”
- Annamarie Williams
Former Intern Kimberly Cramer
“I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia. I am a graduate student at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln getting a master’s degree in material culture and textile studies. I hope to go on to work in a museum, ideally in collections management.”
“At the Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina I gained experience with artifacts and displays while getting insight into how a small museum runs. My main task during my internship was to organize the files on the computer in the research room. However, as my degree has a focus in textiles, the museum director Luther went out of his way to make sure I got experience working with them. He, along with the museum docent Emily, helped me create and install a reproduction of a 1700s Cherokee man’s shirt and matchcoat. I really enjoyed my internship at the Museum of the Cherokee, and it helped me get another internship at the San Diego Museum of Man in California.”
- Kimberly Cramer
