Smithsonian Institution Jobs

Smithsonian Institution

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600 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
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Smithsonian Institution Campuses

Smithsonian Institution Employer Profile

Anacostia Community Museum

Washington, DC, United States

The Anacostia Community Museum offers community-focused courses on urban history, African American culture, and social change.

  • Urban Anacostia History: Local narratives from segregation to revitalization.
  • Community Arts and Activism: Workshops in mural painting and oral histories.
  • African American Folklife: Music, dance, and storytelling traditions.
  • Environmental Justice: Neighborhood impacts and advocacy strategies.
  • Youth Leadership in Culture: Programs for teens on heritage preservation.

Centered on 300 hours of participatory learning, courses involve local collaborations. Participants document stories, creating archives. Emphasis on empowerment builds community ties, with public showcases. This grassroots approach educates and activates.

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Washington, DC, United States

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery offers advanced courses in ancient Near Eastern and Asian arts.

  • Ancient Persian Art: Studies Achaemenid reliefs and jewelry.
  • Chinese Archaeology: Excavation insights and artifact analysis.
  • South Asian Textiles: History of silk roads and motifs.
  • Buddhist Iconography: Symbolism in sculptures and paintings.
  • Modern Asian Collecting: Curatorial practices for contemporary acquisitions.

With 300 hours of specialized training, courses feature X-ray imaging of artifacts. Learners conduct provenance research, preparing for museum roles. The underground gallery inspires intimate study. Interdisciplinary links to history enhance depth, culminating in scholarly papers.

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

New York, NY, United States

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum offers courses in industrial design, architecture, and digital fabrication.

  • Design History: From Arts and Crafts to modernism.
  • Product Design Studio: Prototyping with 3D printing and sketching.
  • Interior and Furniture Design: Material selection and space planning.
  • Sustainable Design: Eco-friendly practices and circular economy.
  • Digital Tools in Design: Software for modeling and visualization.

With 300 hours of creative instruction in the Carnegie Mansion, courses feature industry critiques. Learners develop portfolios, collaborating on exhibits. Innovation drives the curriculum, addressing real-world challenges like urban design.

Freer Gallery of Art

Washington, DC, United States

The Freer Gallery of Art focuses on Asian art courses, emphasizing aesthetics, history, and cross-cultural exchanges.

  • Asian Art History: Surveys Chinese, Japanese, and Korean traditions through timelines.
  • Calligraphy and Ink Painting: Practical classes in brush techniques and composition.
  • Islamic Art Influences: Explores Persian miniatures and ceramics.
  • Whistler and American Asian Art: Studies James McNeill Whistler's collection integrations.
  • Conservation of Asian Artifacts: Methods for preserving scrolls and sculptures.

These 300-hour courses include meditation sessions inspired by art. Participants analyze masterpieces, writing catalogs. The serene environment aids contemplation. Global perspectives enrich understanding, with capstones in exhibitions. This program bridges Eastern and Western art worlds.

George Gustav Heye Center

New York, NY, United States

The George Gustav Heye Center focuses on Native American urban courses, art, and contemporary issues.

  • Urban Native Histories: New York Native communities and activism.
  • Indigenous Art Practices: Contemporary media and traditional crafts.
  • Cultural Survival in Cities: Adaptation and identity maintenance.
  • Native Performance Arts: Dance, theater, and film workshops.
  • Repatriation and Ethics: Legal and cultural return of artifacts.

These 300-hour programs engage city youth, with site-specific projects. The downtown location facilitates urban explorations, promoting visibility. Courses empower Native narratives in metropolitan contexts.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Washington, DC, United States

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden specializes in modern and contemporary art courses, focusing on visual culture, sculpture, and critical theory.

  • Modern Art Movements: Surveys cubism, abstract expressionism, and pop art through studio critiques and artist talks.
  • Sculpture Techniques: Hands-on classes in materials like bronze and installation art, using the garden as an outdoor studio.
  • Contemporary Issues in Art: Discusses globalization, identity, and politics in today's works, with curatorial workshops.
  • Art Conservation and Restoration: Teaches preservation methods for modern pieces, including chemical analysis.
  • Digital Art and Media: Explores video, performance, and VR art forms with production labs.

Offering around 300 hours of instruction, these courses encourage creative expression and analytical writing. Participants engage in artist residencies, collaborating on exhibitions. The curriculum integrates theory with practice, addressing art's societal role. Accessibility features include adaptive tools for diverse learners. Final projects feature gallery installations, building portfolios for artistic careers. The museum's innovative architecture inspires experimental approaches, while international exchanges broaden horizons. This comprehensive program nurtures emerging talents, emphasizing innovation in the art world.

National Air and Space Museum

Washington, DC, United States

The National Air and Space Museum provides cutting-edge courses in aerospace engineering, aviation history, and space exploration, leveraging historic artifacts like the Wright Flyer.

  • Aerospace Engineering Basics: Introduces aerodynamics, propulsion, and spacecraft design through simulations and model-building workshops.
  • History of Flight: Chronicles aviation milestones from balloons to jets, with archival footage and pilot interviews.
  • Space Science and Astronomy: Covers planetary science, rocketry, and astrophysics, including telescope sessions and mission planning exercises.
  • Aviation Safety and Human Factors: Analyzes pilot training, ergonomics, and accident investigations using real case studies.
  • Future of Space Travel: Explores Mars missions, private spaceflight, and orbital mechanics with guest astronauts.

With over 300 hours of dedicated programming, these courses blend theory and practice, offering flight simulator access and STEM challenges. Students participate in hackathons to design innovative aircraft concepts, guided by museum experts. The curriculum addresses ethical issues in space commercialization and diversity in STEM fields. Hybrid formats include online modules for global reach, culminating in presentations at museum events. Internships provide hands-on experience with restoration projects, building resumes for aviation careers. The museum's IMAX theater enhances visual learning, while outreach programs extend education to underserved communities. This exhaustive approach ensures participants grasp the technological and cultural impacts of air and space achievements, inspiring the next generation of explorers.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Washington, DC, United States

The National Museum of African American History and Culture offers courses on African American experiences, slavery, and civil rights.

  • African American History: Traces from enslavement to emancipation, using artifacts and narratives.
  • Civil Rights Movements: Analyzes activism, leaders, and legislation through documentaries.
  • African American Art and Music: Explores jazz, hip-hop, and visual arts in cultural context.
  • Contemporary Issues: Discusses systemic racism, Black excellence, and social justice.
  • Family History and Genealogy: Teaches research methods for tracing African American lineages.

These intensive 300-hour programs include oral history projects and community dialogues. Learners engage with exhibits for immersive learning, developing advocacy skills. The curriculum emphasizes resilience and contributions, with global comparisons. Accessibility ensures broad participation, culminating in public forums. This vital education honors and educates on African American legacies.

National Museum of American History

Washington, DC, United States

The National Museum of American History delivers in-depth courses on U.S. social, political, and cultural history, using iconic artifacts like the Star-Spangled Banner.

  • American Political History: Examines democracy's evolution, constitutional law, and presidential legacies through document analysis.
  • Cultural Icons and Pop Culture: Studies entertainment, fashion, and media influences from the 19th century to today.
  • Immigration and Ethnic Studies: Explores migration patterns, assimilation, and identity via oral histories and family artifacts.
  • Technology in American Life: Covers innovations like the telephone and computer, with engineering dissections.
  • Women's History and Gender Roles: Analyzes suffrage, civil rights, and modern feminism using personal narratives.

These 300-word-equivalent programs total extensive hours, featuring interactive timelines and role-playing simulations. Learners curate digital exhibits, honing research and storytelling skills. The curriculum tackles controversial topics like slavery and civil rights with balanced perspectives, promoting civic engagement. Field studies include visits to historical sites, while online courses reach international audiences. Capstone requirements involve public talks, mirroring museum programming. Diversity initiatives ensure representation in teaching materials, fostering inclusive dialogue. Collaborations with historians provide expert insights, preparing students for academia, journalism, or policy roles. The museum's vast archives serve as a primary resource, enabling original scholarship and a profound understanding of America's complex narrative.

National Museum of Natural History

Washington, DC, United States

The National Museum of Natural History offers comprehensive courses in earth sciences, biology, and anthropology, utilizing its world-renowned collections for immersive learning experiences.

  • Evolutionary Biology: A semester-long course tracing life's origins, with dissections, fossil analysis, and DNA modeling using museum specimens.
  • Gemology and Mineralogy: Hands-on study of crystals and gems, including identification techniques and geological formation processes, with lab access to the Hope Diamond.
  • Human Origins and Anthropology: Explores hominid evolution through lectures, 3D reconstructions, and ethical debates on paleoanthropology.
  • Oceanography and Marine Life: Covers ecosystems, conservation, and climate impacts, featuring aquarium simulations and field data from Smithsonian expeditions.
  • Entomology Workshop: Intensive program on insect diversity, ecology, and pest management, with collecting trips and microscope work.

These courses, spanning 300 instructional hours, integrate research with public education, encouraging student-led inquiries into biodiversity. Programs include internships at the museum's labs, where learners contribute to ongoing studies like deep-sea exploration. The curriculum emphasizes sustainability, with modules on environmental policy and global change. Diverse formats—lectures, seminars, and virtual reality tours—accommodate all levels, from beginners to advanced researchers. Capstone projects involve curating educational displays, fostering skills in science communication. Collaborations with international partners broaden perspectives, while accessibility features like sign language interpretation ensure inclusivity. The museum's dynamic exhibits serve as living classrooms, inspiring a deeper appreciation for natural history and preparing participants for scientific careers.

National Museum of Natural History Museum Support Center

Suitland, MD, United States

The Museum Support Center provides courses in collections management, digitization, and scientific curation.

  • Collections Care: Preservation techniques for specimens.
  • Digital Archiving: Scanning and database management.
  • Biodiversity Informatics: Cataloging global species data.
  • Entomology Curation: Insect pinning and labeling.
  • Vertebrate Paleontology: Fossil preparation and storage.

These technical 300-hour programs train in behind-the-scenes operations. Learners handle millions of objects, preparing for curatorial positions in natural history.

National Museum of the American Indian

Washington, DC, United States

The National Museum of the American Indian delivers courses on Native American histories, cultures, and sovereignty.

  • Indigenous Histories: Covers pre-colonial to modern eras, with tribal consultations.
  • Native Art and Craft: Workshops in beadwork, weaving, and storytelling arts.
  • Environmental Stewardship: Explores traditional ecological knowledge and conservation.
  • Native Languages and Literature: Immersion in oral traditions and contemporary writing.
  • Sovereignty and Law: Analyzes treaties, rights, and activism.

Offering 300 hours of culturally sensitive instruction, courses feature elder teachings and field trips. Students create cultural maps, promoting respect. The curriculum counters stereotypes, fostering alliances. Interactive elements include powwows, building community. This program empowers Native voices and educates broadly.

National Portrait Gallery

Washington, DC, United States

The National Portrait Gallery offers courses in portraiture, biography, and American identity, drawing from its extensive collection of likenesses.

  • Portrait Painting and Drawing: Techniques in realism and abstraction, with life drawing sessions from historical models.
  • Biographical Studies: Analyzes lives through portraits, focusing on leadership and cultural figures.
  • Identity and Representation: Explores race, gender, and class in visual narratives, with critical essays.
  • Photography in Portraiture: History and practice of photographic portraits, including darkroom work.
  • Cultural History via Art: Connects portraits to broader American stories, like civil rights eras.

These programs, exceeding 300 hours, include gallery tours and research seminars. Students develop interpretive skills, creating their own portraits for critique. The curriculum promotes empathy through personal stories behind images. Hybrid options allow flexible participation, with capstones in public exhibitions. Diversity in faculty ensures multifaceted views, preparing learners for art history or curatorial roles. The gallery's historic building enhances the immersive experience, fostering a deep connection to national heritage.

National Postal Museum

Washington, DC, United States

The National Postal Museum provides courses on philately, communication history, and postal systems.

  • History of the U.S. Post: Evolution from Pony Express to email.
  • Stamp Collecting and Valuation: Identification, grading, and market analysis.
  • Postal Art and Design: Creating commemorative stamps digitally.
  • Global Mail Systems: Comparative international postal histories.
  • Postal Security and Espionage: Codes and wartime mail stories.

These engaging 300-hour programs include cataloging sessions. Students build collections, learning authentication. The museum's vast holdings fuel research, with exhibits as classrooms. Courses appeal to hobbyists and scholars, promoting historical literacy.

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Washington, DC, United States

The Smithsonian American Art Museum provides courses on American artistic traditions, from folk art to contemporary practices.

  • American Landscape Painting: Studies Hudson River School and regionalism, with plein air sketching.
  • 20th-Century American Art: Covers modernism, abstract art, and social realism through lectures.
  • Craft and Decorative Arts: Explores pottery, textiles, and jewelry-making workshops.
  • Contemporary American Artists: Focuses on living creators, with studio visits and interviews.
  • Art and American Society: Examines art's role in politics, environment, and identity.

With substantial 300-hour offerings, courses feature collection-based research and creative projects. Participants curate thematic shows, enhancing presentation skills. The program addresses underrepresented artists, promoting equity. Online resources extend access, while internships offer professional exposure. This exhaustive curriculum inspires artistic innovation and historical insight.

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Cambridge, MA, United States

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory provides advanced courses in astrophysics, cosmology, and observational astronomy.

  • Stellar Evolution: Star formation and supernovae modeling.
  • Exoplanet Detection: Data analysis from telescopes like Chandra.
  • Cosmology Fundamentals: Big Bang, dark matter, and universe expansion.
  • High-Energy Astrophysics: Black holes and gamma-ray bursts.
  • Astronomical Instrumentation: Building and calibrating detectors.

Featuring 300 hours of research-oriented learning, courses use Harvard-Smithsonian facilities. Students analyze real data, publishing findings. The program prepares for PhD tracks, with telescope time allocations.

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Front Royal, VA, United States

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute offers courses in wildlife genetics, ecology, and restoration.

  • Genetic Diversity in Species: DNA sampling and population studies.
  • Habitat Restoration: Field techniques for ecosystems recovery.
  • Captive Breeding Programs: Animal reproduction and reintroduction.
  • Climate Change Impacts: Modeling effects on biodiversity.
  • Wildlife Disease Ecology: Pathogen tracking and management.

These practical 300-hour courses include fieldwork at the 3,200-acre center. Interns join projects like panda conservation, gaining expertise for environmental careers.

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Edgewater, MD, United States

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center specializes in estuarine ecology, invasive species, and climate science courses.

  • Coastal Ecosystems: Mangrove and marsh dynamics.
  • Invasive Species Management: Eradication strategies and impacts.
  • Ocean Acidification: Lab experiments on marine life.
  • Forest Ecology: Tree phenology and carbon cycling.
  • Environmental Data Analysis: GIS and statistical modeling.

With 300 hours of lab and field work on the Chesapeake Bay, courses foster research skills. Participants contribute to long-term studies, advancing ecological knowledge.

Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle)

Washington, DC, United States

The Smithsonian Institution Building, known as The Castle, serves as the headquarters and offers foundational educational programs in history, science, and culture. Main courses emphasize interdisciplinary learning, drawing from the Institution's vast collections.

  • Introduction to Smithsonian Collections: This course explores the history and significance of the Smithsonian's artifacts, teaching curation techniques and archival research methods over 12 weeks, with hands-on sessions in the archives.
  • American Cultural Heritage: Students delve into U.S. history through lectures on key events, using primary sources from the Castle's library to analyze societal evolution.
  • Science and Innovation Workshops: Interactive sessions cover basic scientific principles, from biology to astronomy, inspired by Smithsonian research, including lab simulations and guest lectures from resident scholars.
  • Museum Studies Fundamentals: A practical course on exhibit design, public engagement, and educational outreach, where participants create mini-exhibits based on Castle holdings.
  • Global Perspectives in Art and Science: Examines cross-cultural influences, with modules on Asian art influences in American science, featuring virtual tours and discussions.

These programs, totaling over 300 hours of instruction annually, foster critical thinking and research skills. Participants engage in field trips to other Smithsonian sites, culminating in capstone projects presented to the public. The Castle's gothic revival architecture enhances the learning environment, providing a historical backdrop for discussions on preservation. Courses are designed for diverse audiences, from high school students to lifelong learners, promoting accessibility through online modules and scholarships. Emphasis is placed on ethical considerations in cultural stewardship, preparing students for careers in museums, academia, and public policy. Guest instructors from various fields enrich the curriculum, ensuring a broad, exhaustive exploration of the Smithsonian's mission to increase knowledge and inspire wonder.

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Washington, DC, United States

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park delivers courses in zoology, conservation, and animal behavior.

  • Animal Biology and Care: Anatomy, nutrition, and veterinary basics.
  • Wildlife Conservation: Field techniques and endangered species protection.
  • Behavioral Ecology: Observing primates and big cats in habitats.
  • Zoo Management: Ethics, education, and visitor engagement.
  • Exotic Animal Training: Positive reinforcement methods with keepers.

These hands-on 300-hour courses include behind-the-scenes tours. Students assist in research, tracking animal health. The focus on biodiversity inspires action, with global case studies. Programs suit aspiring veterinarians and educators.

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