Introduction
Founded in 1957 to protect the view from George Washington’s Mount Vernon across the Potomac River, the Accokeek Foundation was one of the nation’s first land trusts. The Foundation continues land conservation efforts to ensure continued protection of the viewshed and working landscapes. Using the site as a living classroom, the Accokeek Foundation has developed programming to teach visitors about historic preservation, sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and colonial history. As part of this programming, the Accokeek Foundation developed the Piscataway Cultural Landscape Initiative, the goal of which is “to create a national model in Piscataway Park of connecting people to the environment through interpretation of the indigenous cultural landscape of the Piscataway people,” who originally inhabited this area prior to European settlement, and who continue to live nearby.
The concept of an indigenous cultural landscape is articulated as a way to consider what an indigenous person’s perspective of the Chesapeake Bay region might be. As a construct, it recognizes and respects that Indian cultures lived within the context of their environment, although not in a stereotypical sense. This method of interpretation offers a way to talk about the Eastern Woodland Indian culture that is centered on the natural environment, rather than on archaeological relics.
As part of this initiative, the Accokeek Foundation has been conducting an oral history project called “Piscataway Connections to the Land.” This oral history project is intended to explore the cultural meanings and memories of the land to Piscataway people today. From this oral history project, we are developing a small exhibit for our Visitor Center, and plan to work with the Piscataway groups to develop a traveling exhibit.
Eligibility
This internship is open to qualified college students, recent graduates, or graduate students. Interns from all majors and interests are encouraged to apply. We are especially interested in college/graduate students in the fields of exhibit design, graphic design, fine art, multi-media communications, and museum studies. Knowledge of American Indian history and culture is appreciated, but not required.
Remuneration
This internship includes an intern stipend of $1500, paid incrementally over the course of the internship. In addition, interns will receive free admission to most workshops and classes offered through the Accokeek Foundation during their stay.
Academic Credit
The Accokeek Foundation encourages interns to seek academic credit for their internship and will assist in any way to help the intern receive it. Contact your advisor or department chair to inquire about your school’s requirements.
Duration
The duration of this internship is meant to be June-November. Interns are required to work at least 20 hours a week.
Deadlines
The deadline for applications is May 17, 2013, with an expected start date during the first week of June. Please note, this internship falls outside the scope of the typical academic calendar and is considered a Special Project.
Intern Position
Exhibit Design
An internship with the Accokeek Foundation’s Piscataway Cultural Landscape Initiative, focusing on exhibit design, allows a student to participate in the creation of permanent, temporary and traveling exhibits intended to establish Piscataway Park as a premier example of accessibility and interpretation of “a sense of place,” and the interrelatedness of people and the environment, using the history and culture of the Piscataway people as a primary lens.
The design stage will involve working with groups and on an individual basis. The intern will be engaged in the activity in which the department is currently involved. These activities may include working on a storyboard, developing prototypes, envisioning exhibit elements on a variety of scales, basic graphic design and production, and exhibit installation. The intern will be expected to communicate well, listen and follow directions, work in a team environment, articulate creative and imaginative problem solving ideas, think three-dimensionally, and interpret sketches, drawings and diagrams.
Strong skills in typography and general layout design as well as proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite CS4 are a must. The intern must be highly motivated to develop and learn new creative skills and must possess solid communication and organizational skills. The program is also looking for interns who want to perform video editing of existing interviews for possible use in web and traveling media exhibits.
Application Procedure
Please submit:
Resume
Cover Letter
The cover letter should include:
- Your reasons for wanting to be an intern at the Accokeek Foundation
- Personal goals and how the internship relates to career plans
- Expectations of intern experience
- Special interests and abilities
- Specific information including: dates available to work, number of hours per week,
- number and days available to work.
Design portfolio
If you are doing this internship for university credit, please supply school requirements and advisor’s name and contact information.
Mail or email to:
Meg Nicholas
Administrative Coordinator
Accokeek Foundation
3400 Bryan Point Road
Accokeek, MD 20607
