Internship (m/f/d): Conservation and Restoration of Electronic and Digital Art

The Laboratory for Media Art Restoration at ZKM regularly offers internship opportunities for students and young professionals interested in the preservation of media art, digital technologies, and cultural heritage. One 3-month internship position is available each year between January and April.

About Our Department

ZKM has internationally recognized expertise in the conservation and restoration of kinetic art, sound art, video art and computer-based artworks. The restoration team of the Departments Wissen and Museum and Exhibition Technical Services documents, conserves and restores artworks from the ZKM collection and supports exhibitions throughout their lifecycle. Our work combines conservation practice with expertise in electronics, software, digital preservation and media archaeology. At the same time, the team contributes to the development of documentation standards, long-term preservation strategies and research projects related to electronic and digital art. Interns gain insight into both the daily practice and current research challenges of preserving complex media artworks.

What To Expect

• During your internship, you will work alongside conservators and technicians on a variety of projects, including:
• Documentation of artworks and technical systems
• Conservation and restoration activities
• Creating and organising documentation in our internal MediaWiki
• Supporting collection management and acquisition processes
• Researching and organising archival materials
• Setting up, testing and maintaining artworks
• Disk imaging and digital preservation workflows
• Conservation assessment and treatment documentation
• Supporting maintenance activities in exhibitions
• You may encounter a wide range of technologies, from vintage computer systems and storage media to contemporary software-based artworks, helping to preserve them for future generations.
  
  

What we expect from you

• University studies or initial professional experience in the fields of conservation and restoration, information technology, engineering, computer science, or related disciplines.
• Are curious and self-motivated
• Enjoy understanding how technical systems work
• Are comfortable working independently and taking initiative
• Have a structured and careful approach to documentation
• Enjoy investigating problems and finding practical solutions
• Are interested in electronics, software and digital technologies
• Have good written and spoken English
• Familiarity with technical documentation, electronics, circuit diagrams, software or programming concepts is an advantage, but not required.
• Professionals participating in institutional exchange programmes are also welcome to apply.
  
  

We Offer

• Modern working environment and the opportunity to work remotely
• Flexible working hours
• Subsidy for public transportation
• Guided tours for employees
• Free admission to the ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe exhibitions
• Discounts at the bistro and museum shop
  
  

What Matters To Us

The ZKM stands for an open and diverse society. We therefore welcome applications from all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, cultural, ethnic and social origin. Applications with severe disabilities and those with equal status will be given priority if they are equally qualified.

For Questions, Please Contact

Do you have questions about the scope of the role? Please feel free to contact:

Restoration Team

E-Mail: [email protected]

Do you have questions about the application process? Please feel free to contact the HR department:

E-Mail: [email protected]

Apply now!