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:

restauratoren@zkm.de

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

E-Mail:

bewerbungen@zkm.de

Apply now!

ZKM | Zentrum für Kunst und Medien

Lorenzstraße 19

76135 Karlsruhe

+49 (0) 721 - 8100 - 1200

info@zkm.de

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