2026 Grants and Research Development Intern : Co-op Model

Grants And Research Development Intern : Co-op Model

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization.

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit organization with free admission.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a 'living room' where the community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

The Grants and Research Development Internship with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is designed to provide hands-on experience in the research, development, and management of institutional and foundation funding opportunities. This position focuses on strengthening the museum's grant-seeking strategy by supporting activities such as prospect research, proposal writing, funder cultivation, and data-driven reporting.

The intern will gain exposure to all phases of the grants and research development processfrom identifying potential funders and developing proposals to tracking outcomes and stewarding relationships with granting agencies. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in arts administration, nonprofit management, research strategy, or fundraising analytics. Specific projects may be customized based on the intern's interests, academic background, and career goals.

Duties and Responsibilities :

Grant Research and Prospect Development

• Conduct targeted research to identify potential funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Analyze funding trends, eligibility criteria, and alignment with museum priorities.
• Maintain and update the grants prospect database and research tracking tools.

Proposal Development and Writing

Funder Cultivation and Stewardship

Grants Management and Evaluation

Other Development and Research Support

Qualifications :

Education and Academic Background

Knowledge and Skills

Preferred Experience (not required)

Timeline :

Intern selected by : January 15, 2026

Schedule :

Start Date : March 9, 2026

End Date : November 13, 2026

This co-op model is styled to provide the intern selected for this position a full experience on the Crystal Bridges campus and will have a fluctuation in hours that will work with an existing school schedule.

The following is the permitted work hours schedule.

March 9th-May 9th - Up to 20 hours a week

May 10th-May 31st - Up to 30 hours a week

June 1st-July 25th - Up to 40 hours a week

July 26th-August 8th - Up to 30 hours a week

August 9th-November 13th - Up to 20 hours a week

Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor

To qualify for bachelor's or master's hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.

Compensation :

To qualify for bachelor's or master's compensation, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.

Required Documents :

Housing :

Housing for internship positions is contingent upon the availability of funding and is not guaranteed. Internships that include housing explicitly state this within the position description. Any housing and / or relocation assistance provided is considered taxable income and will be reflected on the intern's Form W-2. If housing is provided, priority will be given to students whose primary residence is more than 150 miles or three hours from either Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art or the Momentary.

Physical Demands and Work Environment :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If the intern's