JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada Internship
Closing Date of Opportunity: February 27, 2026
Name or Organization: Glenbow Museum
Contact Email: careers@glenbow.org
Website: https://www.glenbow.org/jr-shaw-institute-for-art-in-canada/
Post Content: JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada Internship
Temporary Full-time: 37.5 hours a week from June 1, 2026 to August 7, 2026
Compensation: $16.56 per hour
Hiring Manager: Jocelyn Anderson, Director, JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada
Closing Date: February 27, 2026
To apply, please submit your resume, transcript, and personal statement to
careers@glenbow.org (please see below for more information).
Glenbow is an equal opportunity employer and values different perspectives, backgrounds,
identities, and lived experiences. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage
candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Should you have special accommodation
needs, please let us know.
About Glenbow
Glenbow is an arts and culture museum undergoing a complete reimagining of what a museum
can be. Every member of our team, regardless of job title, is focused on serving our community
and reimagining the museum experience.
Our team is passionate about making art accessible to everyone. We are dedicated community
builders, working to shape the future of arts and culture in Calgary and beyond. Working at
Glenbow also means being part of an organization that recognizes its role in reconciliation and
is working toward building an equitable community.
About the JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada
The JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada at Glenbow is dedicated to celebrating art in Canada
by engaging communities in creative exhibitions and programs, advancing artistic practices,
fostering research and inquiry, and providing opportunities for diverse voices.
Created thanks to a $10 million endowment from Shaw Family Foundation, the Institute is
devoted to supporting art and artists in Canada. It will feature annual exhibitions, an artist-in-residence program, a research fellowship, opportunities for further study through an internship
program, programs for children, and artist-in-conversation events. Through its programs, the
Institute will represent stories of art and artists and engage with ideas and artistic expressions
that shape Canada today.
The Internship
The JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada Internship Program was established to give students
opportunities at Glenbow. By working on projects with team members across the museum,
conducting in-depth research on art in Canada, and exploring current issues facing art galleries
and museums across the country, interns will develop foundational skills and knowledge for
their future careers.
Reporting to the Director of the JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada, interns will work
extensively with collections and archives at Glenbow. No previous experiences working in a
museum or gallery or study in these areas are required, but a passion for the visual arts is
essential. You will have multiple opportunities to work with people engaged in reimagining
Glenbow, and it is important to come to the program excited about the possibilities for
museums in the future. The team at Glenbow is deeply committed to making the organization
radically accessible and engaged with diverse communities, and interns must come prepared to
contribute to this work with enthusiasm, creativity, and integrity.
Program Structure
The JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada Internship Program has three core components, and
interns will be expected to actively participate in all of them. The program elements are:
- Department Projects: Though this program is hosted by the JR Shaw Institute for Art in
Canada, interns will have the opportunity to work on projects led by multiple
departments at Glenbow. Specific projects are confirmed during orientation, but interns
can expect to work with staff from Collections & Curatorial, Finance, People & Culture,
External Relations & Marketing, Production, Advancement, Visitor Experience, and/or
Programming.
- Research Study: Working as part of a team conducting research on art in Canada,
interns will develop research projects that explore key areas of Glenbow’s art
collections and support future projects. At the conclusion of the program, interns will
have opportunities to present their projects.
- Decolonization and Reconciliation: At Glenbow, reconciliation is one of our core values
and we are committed to decolonizing the museum. Interns will participate in a program
every week designed to support learning about reconciliation in museums and art
galleries in Canada today. Activities may include land-based learning, repatriation
research, and discussing decolonizing curating principles.
Eligibility
The JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada Internship Program is open to current undergraduate
students and individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree within the last 12
months. Previous experience working in a museum is not expected, and in-depth knowledge of
art in Canada is not a requirement. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. As well,
applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada and may be requested to provide proof
during the recruitment process.
How to Apply
To apply for the JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada Internship Program, applicants must visit
Glenbow.org/Careers and be prepared to submit the following elements:
- CV: Please ensure your CV includes all relevant lived experiences you wish to share with
the selection committee—feel free to go beyond education or work experience.
- Transcript: Please submit an academic transcript. Shortlisted candidates will be asked
to provide an academic reference.
- Personal Statement: Please write a personal statement telling us about why this
program interests you and how it will contribute to your career goals. What are you most
interested in learning about? What experiences have inspired you? What will you bring
to projects and conversations about radical accessibility and reimagining the museum?
Make sure you tell us anything you want us to know about you! Please write up to 500
words, or, if you prefer to submit a video statement, please submit a link to a video that
is no more than 5 minutes in length.
Applications to the JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada Internship Program close on February
27, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by March 16, 2026 and invited for an
interview. Interviews can be conducted in person or virtually, depending on the candidate’s
location and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the internships paid positions?
Yes, the JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada Internship Program offers paid positions, which are
funded through a generous donation from Shaw Family Foundation.
How does the academic transcript influence how an application is assessed?
Applications are not ranked based on GPA. However, the selection committee will consider how
your transcript connects to topics you are discussing in your personal statement, particularly
concerning goals you describe and your commitment to your education.
I haven’t taken any courses in Canadian or Indigenous art – can I still apply? I don’t know
what I would research.
Absolutely. Applicants are not expected to have taken courses in these areas, and no
preference will be given to applicants who have done so. What is important is that you have a
genuine interest in visual arts and in museums and galleries. This might take many forms, from
experimenting with artmaking to being fascinated with the tourism and culture industry.
Research topics will be developed in discussion with staff to align with Glenbow’s curatorial
vision.
I’m in a Museum Studies program – can I get academic credit for this internship?
This depends on the requirements of your program. You are encouraged to share this posting
text with your supervisor to discuss this and the Director of the JR Shaw Institute for Art in
Canada is available to answer any questions you have. Please note that the program structure
is fixed and cannot be adapted, but if the structure does meet your program requirements,
Glenbow will provide support in documenting it for your institution.
I’m planning to take a class this summer – can I still do the internship?
Interns are expected to be working with Glenbow five days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You would not be able to undertake any other activities during those hours.
I’m interested, but in thinking about my future, I am not sure what kinds of career
opportunities museums have – what are some of the jobs at museums?
There are many, and they are wide-ranging! Here is a brief list: curator, conservator, Indigenous
programming specialist, registrar, exhibition designer, graphic designer, educator, computer
specialist, database manager, communications specialist, marketing specialist, digital content
specialist, accountant, audio visual technician, production technician, development coordinator,
photographer, membership coordinator, visitor experience leader, programming specialist,
community engagement specialist…and many more.
I still have questions – where can I find out more about the program?
Watch Glenbow’s social media for notices of virtual information sessions or reach out to
Jocelyn Anderson, Director of the JR Shaw Institute for Art in Canada, at
janderson@glenbow.org