The Grant Wood Catalogue Raisonné (GWCR) seeks an undergraduate intern to assist the project with its database, research endeavors, and community engagement. The intern should have excellent organization and communication skills with an enthusiasm for art and art history. 

woman sits at a desk with a laptop and scanner

Grant Wood (1891-1942), who is best known as the painter of the iconic American Gothic (1930), was born and raised in Iowa. Wood served as one of the major artists who developed the Regionalist style, which advocated for artist to find authenticity in their own time, place, and identity. In the 1930s, Wood joined the faculty at the University of Iowa where he continued to create artworks while mentoring students. 

Today, the GWCR’s mission is to assemble a detailed inventory of Wood’s entire body of work. A catalogue raisonné serves several populations by providing an in-depth review of artworks, exhibition history, bibliography, and analyses of signatures, materials used, and more.  

The GWCR is administered by the Grant Wood Art Colony at the University of Iowa with support from the Provost’s Office of Community Engagement. The project is generously funded by private donations, the University of Iowa, the Hayes Foundation and Grant Wood Legacy Project, and the Carver Charitable Trust. 

Responsibilities 

  • Data entry 

  • Image editing 

  • Research 

  • Possible work with a forthcoming oral history project 

  • Opportunities to work with the leading scholars on Grant Wood and his art 

  • Contributions to the Grant Wood Art Colony’s Instagram account that promotes the work of the GWCR project 

  • There could be opportunities to work in nearby Iowa communities with the GWCR team, so some travel could be required 

Desired skills 

  • Proficiency with spreadsheets and database management (training provided) 

  • Proficiency with photo editing software 

  • Able to conduct some research—digital/online, in person, in archives/museums/etc. 

  • Knowledge of working with archival and/or art materials 

  • Impeccable oral and written communication skills 

Compensation, Hours, and/or Course Eligibility 

  • This is a paid internship. 

  • It is also eligible for course credit with CCP 1201. 

  • Weekly hours range from 5 to 15, depending if the student wants to complete the internship for course credit. 

Application Materials: 

  • Current resume 

  • Cover letter that addresses 1) your qualifications and 2) your interest in this internship as it applies to your professional/educational goals 

  • List of three references with their contact information (phone and email address) 

Deadlines: 

  • Application due by Friday, May 8.

  • Interviews will occur in mid-May. 

  • Start date is early June. 

More information is on the Grant Wood Catalogue Raisonné webpage. 

Please email your application including: 

Current resume 

Cover letter that addresses 1) your qualifications and 2) your interest in this internship as it applies to your professional/educational goals 

List of three references with their contact information (phone and email address) 

To Ranelle Knight-Lueth by Friday, May 8. Include “GWCR internship application” in the subject line.

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