About Volunteering
We are very pleased that you are interested in being a vital part of George Eastman House. Our more than 500 volunteers donate over 15,000 hours each year and contribute to every aspect of the Museum’s mission.
The success of the Museum depends on the paid and unpaid staff who offer their talents and skills. We value highly the individuals like you who will make possible the Museum’s internationally respected contributions to photography, to motion pictures, and to the legacy of George Eastman.
Privileges of Museum Volunteers
- Free admission to the Museum for themselves and one guest (Enter via the Staff entrance)
- Free admission for themselves only to the Curtis and Dryden theaters (Please wear your volunteer badge)
- 10% discount in the Museum store
- Discounted admission to Museum events
- The Films & Events newsletter published 6 times yearly
- Social, educational, and recognition events just for volunteers
To Request more general information about volunteering, please fill out the form below:
Motion Picture Internship Program & Requirements
The Motion Picture Department at George Eastman House has opportunities for internships throughout the year for graduate students in the department’s Stills, Posters and Paper Collection. Internships encourage students to explore careers related to the preservation and access of archival collections and film history. Internships are offered to graduate students who have not yet completed their degrees and seek an advanced archival practicum. A background in film studies, film preservation, paper conservation, photographic conservation or archival studies is preferable. Solid research, analytical, computer, and writing skills are required.
Interns must schedule their work Monday through Friday during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Course credit can be given with the approval of the intern’s academic institution. Interns are usually required to work a minimum of 10 hours per week for 8 weeks. Stipends are not offered.
Summer internships are available July–August Applications are due by April 15. Fall and spring internships are dependant on staff availability.
Internship Projects are offered in the following areas:
- Archival Arrangement, Preservation, and Description – Archival processing and preservation work, such as arranging historical papers of filmmakers, describing archival collections in online inventories and finding aids, and performing basic preservation work of document-based collections, stills, posters, celebrity portraits, lantern slides and other pre-cinema artifacts.
- Cataloging and Metadata – Projects to improve and enhance catalog records in TMS (The Museum System) and in our local FileMaker Pro Stills Archive Collections Database. Work may involve data entry clean-up; assigning subject and name access points; preparing descriptive summaries; performing biographical research on art and artists’ authority files; and reviewing catalog records for accuracy.
- Curatorial – Projects have included archival exhibition research, label and text preparation, and installation and research for upcoming publications.
- Digital Collections – Digitization initiatives to increase access to collections through digitization and website access. Possible assignments include assisting with scanning and digital curation activities; entering data in our Digital Collections Database; preparing technical and administrative documentation; testing digitization workflows; and assisting with interface design, usability studies, and related web development activities.
How to Apply
Applicants will be required to upload the following materials:
- A completed Intern Application PDF
- Cover letter
- Résumé detailing your experience, career interests, and internship goals
- Two letters of recommendation
Send complete package to:
Motion Picture Department
George Eastman House
900 East Ave.
Rochester, NY 14607
Or Email mpdinternships@geh.org
Applications must be received by the application deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Motion Picture Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers provide valuable assistance to the staff of the Motion Picture Archive through a variety of activities, including the sorting and identification of motion picture stills, organizing and storing archival records, providing research support for curatorial staff, and assisting with special projects. Volunteers should have an interest in motion pictures, film history, photography or archival management, and should be able to spend a minimum of ten (10) hours a week on assigned tasks.
Volunteer positions are available in the Motion Picture Department from July through August. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday excluding holidays. Summer volunteer applications are due by April 15.
To Apply
Please send the application, your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience, interests and volunteer goals to:
Motion Picture Department
George Eastman House
900 East Ave.
Rochester, NY 14607