Docomomo US/MN is seeking summer 2020 research interns

​Docomomo is an International non-profit organization with regional chapters worldwide focused on the documentation and conservation of buildings, sites, and neighborhoods of the modern movement. Docomomo US/MN is the Minnesota chapter of Docomomo US. Our organization defines the Modern period as spanning roughly from the 1920s to the 1970s and encompassing a wide range of architectural styles from Art Deco to Brutalism. In order to apply the label of “modern” to a built work, it must:

• Look forward to the future without overt references to historical precedent.
• Express functional, technical, or spatial properties rather than reliance on decoration.
• Be conscious of being modern: it purposefully expressed the principles of modern design.

Docomomo US/MN is creating a registry of Modern buildings, sites, and neighborhoods of the modern movement within the state of Minnesota. Our goal is to better meet our organization’s objectives to 1) advocate for the preservation of Minnesota’s modern resources and 2) act as a watchdog when examples of Modern architecture and sites are in jeopardy. This registry will better position our chapter to be proactive regarding conservation of these resources.
 
INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW
Docomomo has already compiled significant amounts of data from several different resources on mid-century properties in the greater Twin Cities region as well as limited properties outstate.  This data, in general, is limited to basic building and site information including date of construction, builder and/or architect, and in some cases a brief historical context.  We have developed an evolving database that is currently being displayed in map form on our organizations website for use by our members and interested parties.  The sites on our map and in our registry do not represent a complete list of Modern resources in the state. Inclusion of a property on the map does not necessarily mean that it is architecturally or historically significant, rather we have been assembling a broad inventory to begin to understand what resources are currently out there.

From the information compiled, we are beginning to identify contexts, themes and geographic areas of development relating to the Modern Movement in need of further examination. Using this information, we plan to pursue grants and other incentives to further mapping capabilities and expand data within our registry through survey and more in-depth research initiatives. The Twin Cities-heavy model will serve as an evolving template to expand into more areas outstate as we continue research. 
 
This Docomomo US/MN research internship is temporary, with no expectation of employment at its conclusion. The period of the internship is from approximately June 4, 2020 to August 31, 2020 (three months), for approximately 40 hours per month. For this internship, Docomomo US/MN is offering a stipend of $1,800.  We are seeking to provide up to 3 internships depending on interest and qualifications.  We welcome and encourage applicants from outstate Minnesota.
 
RESEARCH DUTIES

• Work with the Docomomo US/MN Registry Committee to identify potential contexts, themes, important builders, and geographic areas relating to the modern movement in need of further research.
• Identify potential historic resources of particular relevance to themes and contexts identified by the Registry Committee that have been cataloged in the existing registry.  Continue to expand the registry for newly identified properties of significance.
• Research and expand the information for each potentially significant resource and compile information according to specified documentation methods developed by the Registry Committee.
• Take photos of identified properties and include them with the registry.

 
QUALIFICATIONS  

• Ability to work 40 hours, self-directed, per month Monday through Saturday.
• Ability to provide Registry Committee bi-weekly e-mail updates and meet with the Registry Committee a minimum of once a month to share research progress (either after 6pm on weekdays or after 1pm on weekends).  During the covid-19 pandemic meetings will be conducted virtually.
• Bachelor’s level studies (or equivalent years of experience) required; current or rising juniors, seniors or graduate students preferred. Studies or demonstrated interest in heritage conservation, architecture, landscape architecture, and/or urban planning preferred. Experience conducting research with related primary and secondary sources also preferred. Prior experience completing historic surveys and/or designations is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills required, with ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently, and meet deadlines in a timely fashion. 
• Basic analytical and problem-solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization, and project-organization skills.
• Ability to collaborate and achieve results with supervision, including ability to interact professionally with Registry Committee members and other organizations and agencies as needed. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products required, including Word and Excel. Experience working with databases and other documentation platforms is a plus.  
• Ability to graphically map existing resources is also encouraged.
• Due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, traditional research methods may be unavailable.  A familiarity with virtual and online research methods is desirable.

APPLICATION
Please submit the following by May 24th, 2020:

• Letter of interest.
• Resume or CV.
• Writing sample and/or an example of a research methodology.

Please e-mail any questions you may have regarding this job posting and submit a digital copy of your letter of application to:

Peter Crandall
Docomomo US/MN Board Member
[email protected]
 
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