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Volunteering
Internships
Museum Courses
Donations
Join our team

Volunteering

Volunteering provides a valuable platform for you to gauge your level of interest and skill for different aspects of museum-related work. It serves to help prepare and equip you for paid positions in the field. Your work as a volunteer is invaluable to the MPC, as you contribute your time, effort, and dedication to projects of great significance.

How do I start?

The museum offers a variety of volunteer opportunities in both our collections and education departments. Collaborating closely with our Volunteer Coordinator, you will choose a project that aligns with your personal interests and the current needs of the museum. For more information, and to fill out an application, please email mpc-volunteer@byu.edu

Internships

*All internship positions are currently filled*

Internships at the museum are available for interested individuals. Interns have the opportunity to work on specific projects with the museum staff. Internships introduce interns to the broad spectrum of museum work as well as museum staff, departments, programs, and operations.

The museum accepts interns according to its needs. The following include general guidelines for museum internships:

  • Internships are provided each semester when projects and supervisors are available.
  • Interns may work in the departments of collections, education or administration.
  • Internships last the duration of both spring and summer terms (May–August), but can also be accommodated during Fall (September–December) and Winter (January–April) semesters.
  • The number of hours worked each week is determined by the scope of the project or the number of hours required by the department in which an intern is receiving credit. Generally, interns serve between 150-300 hours.
  • Interns may arrange with the department of their major to receive academic credit for their work at the MPC.

Application Process

When positions are available, candidates must submit an application provided by the museum, along with a cover letter and resume.
When selecting an intern, the museum will try to match its needs with the educational and professional goals of the intern and the goals of the academic department providing credit, if applicable.

Upon acceptance, the intern will meet with an assigned supervisor to draft an internship agreement outlining projects and expectations.

Museum Courses

The Museum of Peoples and Cultures offer several courses on museum studies through the BYU Department of Anthropology. Please see the current BYU catalog and class schedule for details.

The Museum of Peoples and Cultures is the learning stage for the Certificate in Museum Practices program offered by the Department of Anthropology. Students currently enrolled in a graduate program in any cognate BYU department may apply. This program is a great way to obtain training and experience in the museum field. The curriculum focuses on the care and interpretation of collections, with hands-on experience in exhibitions, collections, management, education, writing, and program evaluation.

The Museum of Peoples and Cultures work in conjunction with the Department of Anthropology to provide a Field School experience for students.

For more information about courses offered in conjunction with the Museum, contact the Museum at (801) 422-0020, the Department of Anthropology at (801) 422-3058, or via email at anthropology@byu.edu.

Giving to the MPC

We greatly appreciate any gifts given to BYU's Museum of Peoples and Cultures. Online donations to the MPC can be made here. If you wish to contribute to a specific area of the Museum, please leave a comment with your online contribution or contact Paul Stavast, the Museum director, at paul.stavast@byu.edu.

NOTE: Philanthropies is the organization which coordinates and facilitates philanthropic gifts to BYU and other entities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Philanthropies is simply a pass-through organization and does not keep donations directly.

Join Our Team

BYU's Museum of Peoples and Cultures is unique from all other BYU museums in that it is almost entirely student-run.
The students who work at the museum are from a variety of different majors and hold positions in everything from archeology to experience design. If you are seeking a hands-on work environment and desire the opportunity to learn about different cultures, this is the place for you! New positions are made available through Y Jobs. Check the link to see our current openings!