Engaging Students in Minnesota History through Internships and Education
The Minnesota Historical Society strives to attract high school and college interns from underrepresented communities to encourage engagement and diversify the institution. Students are placed across the Society in various departments and sites and have the opportunity to work alongside museum professionals to enhance their skills and apply their knowledge in a professional environment. College students participate in learning activities together over a semester-long period to enrich the internship experience and network with other interns in their cohort. The activities focus on engaging with the Society on a deeper level by discussing current issues and trends with museum staff, sharing intern experiences and building professional networks. During FY12 and so far in FY13, Arts and Cultural Heritage funding has supported 96 college interns who have contributed more than 9,900 hours across the Society and seven high school students who have contributed more than 500 hours of service at two historic sites.
The Minnesota Historical Society is launching a new component to its internship program by providing opportunities for high school students to develop work-readiness skills and to learn more about career paths available at the Society. The Society strives to attract interns from underrepresented communities to encourage engagement and diversify the institution. Students are placed across the Society in various departments and sites. College students participate in activities together over a semester-long period to enrich the internship experience. The activities focus on learning more about the Society and current issues and trends by meeting staff and sharing intern experiences and building professional networks. During the 2010-2011 school year, Arts and Cultural Heritage funding supported 43 interns who contributed nearly 4,000 hours in 14 programs across the Society.
Programs. $4,800,000 the first year and $4,800,000 the second year are for programs and purposes related to the historical and cultural heritage of the state of Minnesota, conducted by the Minnesota Historical Society.