About Motown Museum

In the 1960s, Hitsville U.S.A. was buzzing with activity. These modest buildings on Detroit’s West Grand Boulevard housed dozens of the music industry’s most talented, passionate and successful people. More than half a century later, the walls of Motown Museum continue to hold that entrepreneurial energy for its staff—and you could be part of our team.  

As a museum and cultural institution, we seek to hire talented and skilled individuals interested in careers, internships, and volunteers across a variety of functions—including staff for collections, programming, fund development, guest services, retail, management, and more. 

About the role

Esther Gordy Edwards Curatorial Internship

Spring 2026 | Motown Museum – Curatorial Department
Location: On-Site, Detroit, Michigan
Stipend: $1,000 (paid upon successful completion)
Hours: 120 total hours over 8 weeks

Internship

The Motown Museum proudly announces the second year of the Esther Gordy Edwards Curatorial Internship, established in honor of our visionary founder, Esther Gordy Edwards. As Corporate Secretary and Senior Vice President of Motown Records, Mrs. Edwards played a pivotal role in shaping and preserving the Motown legacy. Her leadership ensured that Motown’s original headquarters—Hitsville U.S.A.—would be safeguarded and shared with the world.

Today, artifacts from her personal collection, along with generous donations from Motown artists and alumni, help tell the story of one of America’s most influential cultural movements.
To learn more about her extraordinary life and legacy, please visit our Collections page.

Internship Overview

The Motown Museum’s Curatorial Department invites a highly motivated undergraduate or graduate student to join our team for the Spring 2026 semester. This internship provides direct experience in museum research, exhibition development, and narrative interpretation for both physical and digital exhibitions.

The Curatorial Intern will support the Associate Curator and Digital Media Curator in meeting project timelines and advancing curatorial initiatives. This role is ideal for students seeking real-world museum experience, professional mentorship, and deeper engagement with Motown’s cultural and historical significance.

Interns will also receive guided mentorship from the Chief Executive Officer and Curatorial Staff, offering an unparalleled opportunity to learn from leaders in the field.

Internship Requirements

• Completion of 120 hours over an eight-week period
• Two workdays per week, Monday through Friday (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
• Students seeking academic credit must coordinate with their school advisor
• Interns requesting accommodations or support are encouraged to notify the Curatorial Department as early as possible

Supervision

The Curatorial Intern will report to the Associate Curator and Digital Media Curator, with additional oversight and mentorship from the Chief Executive Officer.

Additional Information

This internship description outlines the essential functions and responsibilities of the position. Duties may evolve based on departmental needs or project priorities.

What you'll do

Primary Responsibilities

The Curatorial Intern will assist with:

• Exhibition and collections research
• Oral history sourcing and documentation
• Application of interpretive frameworks
• Outreach to Motown alumni
• Artifact and image sourcing
• Support during exhibition installations and deinstallations
• Narrative development and object interpretation
• General assistance with curatorial workflows and project administration

Qualifications

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program for Fall/Spring 2026
• Studying Museum Studies, History, African American Studies, Art History, Communications, or a related field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in academic or independent research
• Interest in Motown, music history, cultural heritage, or storytelling
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Able to adapt to a fast-paced work environment
• Proficiency in Office 365
• Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop preferred