UMN students at Between the Seams 2019 Student Design Showcase. Photograph by Jayme Halbritter.
Art Rental
The Weisman’s art rental program offers U students, employees, and departments the opportunity to display pieces of art from the museum’s collection in their homes or offices. More than 300 framed, ready-to-hang, original artworks are available for rent.
Interested in renting?
Stop by the WAM Shop to view works available for rental!
Questions? Email artrent@umn.edu or call 612-626-3389 for more information.
The HOMEWORK Collection (just for students!)
In the fall of 2018 WAM launched the student-only HOMEWORK art rental collection with artwork selected by the museum’s student group, WAM Collective. Featuring prints, drawings, and photographs by both established and emerging artists–the collection contains a limited number of ready-to-hang works available only to students. Make an appointment with our Art Rental team and snag your own masterpiece.
Renting is Affordable
$15 (plus tax) per artwork per semester for U of M students (limit 3)
$45 (plus tax) per artwork per year for U of M employees (limit 5)
$45 per artwork per year for U of M departments (no limit)
Conditions
Renters are responsible for transporting and hanging artworks and for displaying them in a safe environment. The artworks in the rental collection are property of the Weisman Art Museum and are not available for sale.
History
The rental program began in 1934 at the Weisman’s predecessor, Northrop Auditorium’s Little Gallery. Students could rent print reproductions for 25 cents each to adorn the walls of their dorm rooms. The program is named for Hudson D. Walker, the first curator of the Little Gallery, and his wife Ione.
For additional information about art rental, contact artrent@umn.edu.
Student Jobs
The museum employs students in the store and in visitor services, events, custodial, and other departments. In short, they really run the place. Most open positions are listed on the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources website.
Current Openings
WAM Guide 2024-2025 | $15.50 per hour, part-time (10 hours per week)
Student WAM Guides work with Public Engagement and Learning staff to support the engagement of diverse audiences with WAM collections and exhibitions. The WAM Guides program is a paid opportunity for UMN students to develop and lead interactive, close-looking tours and create written self-guided interpretive gallery materials for the visiting public. Students participate in training sessions on how to create content and lead inclusive, interdisciplinary conversations around works of art. The tours approach WAM via a theme of the guides’ own choosing and sample the diversity of the collections. Students conduct their own research to create the materials. WAM Guides develop transferable skills in public speaking, visual literacy, research, and creative thinking. This is an academic year long commitment consisting of weekly meetings, office hours, and scheduled tours.
Application closes April 26, 2024. If selected for an interview, you will be contacted by May 10.
To Apply, please complete the WAM Guide Application Form. If you have any questions contact WAM's Public Engagement and Learning Coordinator, Ricki Williams, at ricki11@umn.edu
Communications & Editorial Assistant | $15 per hour, part-time (15 hours per week)
Do you love connecting with others through art? Are you looking to grow your storytelling, social media, and content marketing skills and build your professional portfolio? We've got the perfect gig for you! Student staff are part of a nimble, tight-knit communications team at WAM. You’ll work closely with the Weisman’s Communications Director, Digital Content Specialist, and student Multimedia & Design Assistant. Expect to gain hands-on experience using rich media, strong visuals, and engaging short video content to share engaging stories about the art and artists of this multiplatform museum. Successful candidates will have demonstrated writing skills and some social media experience. Facility with scheduling platforms, like Later.com, and various social media analytics tools is also helpful. Candidates must be able to think strategically, and then be willing and able to help implement those strategies. We’re looking for a student staffer who’s energized by collaboration but also capable of independent task management, with the initiative to see projects through once the objectives are clear. Your work assists in developing the museum’s online presence, digital audience engagement, supports publicity initiatives, and increases the overall visibility of the Weisman Art Museum. We’re eager to work with student staff to determine their specific educational and professional goals, and to help ensure their tenure at WAM supports them on that path.
How to Apply: Find a full job description, and complete the application on the UMN Student Job Board (Job ID: 360661)
This position is open until filled. We'll begin reviewing applications and responding to candidates with next steps on Monday, May 3.
Multimedia & Design Assistant | $15 per hour, part-time (15 hours per week)
Are you looking to grow your multimedia storytelling skills and build your portfolio? Do you dream in TikToks? Are you a maker of killer Reels and Stories? Hone your skills at the Weisman! Student staff are part of a nimble, tight-knit communications team at WAM. You’ll work closely with the Weisman’s Communications Director, Digital Content Specialist, and student Communications & Editorial Assistant. Expect to gain hands-on experience designing collateral for the museum and using rich media, strong visuals, and snappy writing to share engaging stories about the art and artists of this multiplatform museum. On our team, you’ll have the opportunity to create short-form multimedia content for the Weisman’s social channels and website, including videos and motion graphics. Successful candidates will have demonstrated design and video skills, and social media experience. Some familiarity with scheduling platforms, like Later.com, and various social media analytics tools is also helpful. We’re looking for a student staffer who’s energized by collaboration but also capable of independent task management, with the initiative to see projects through once the objectives are clear. We’re eager to work with student staff to determine their specific educational and professional goals, and to help ensure their tenure at WAM supports them on that path.
How to Apply: Find a full job description, and complete the application on the UMN Student Job Board (Job ID: 360663)
This position is open until filled. We'll begin reviewing applications and responding to candidates with next steps on Monday, May 3.
Sign up for WAM e-News to receive monthly student news—including occasional announcements about student job opportunities and internships.
Student Internships
Student interns work on focused projects in a variety of departments. Students interested in unpaid internships may submit an application at any time or check back for open positions below. New placements, when available, occur at the beginning of fall and spring semester and during the summer. Internships are available for academic credit.
Sign up for WAM e-News to receive monthly student news—including occasional announcements about student job opportunities and internships.
WAM Collective
Interested in the role of art and museums in social change? Want to learn from museum professionals and artists? Find out more about the WAM Collective!
The WAM Collective is the student leadership group of the Weisman Art Museum that creates and facilitates programs, digital content, and activities that spotlight the student voice within the museum. No arts background or skill is necessary to join, past members have majored in a diverse range of subjects.
This year, the WAM Collective is focusing on...
- Truth and reconciliation
- Diversity, access, and inclusion in the museum world and beyond
- Socially engaged artists
- New strategies to engage with the student body
- Amplifying the student voice in museum practices across the country\Connecting with other groups, departments, and organizations across campus
WAM Collective Vision:
- Creates art experiences for students that spark discovery, critical thinking and transformation.
- Collaborates with campus and community partners to promote cross-cultural dialogue and celebrate diverse perspectives.
- Educates and develops the next generation of cultural consumers to appreciate and support the arts.
- Nurtures the next generation of arts and cultural leaders through professional development opportunities.
Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion
Museum staff strive to make inclusion and access foundational for learning programs and educational development at the museum. A practical commitment to equity and diversity is the shared responsibility of all students, staff, volunteers, board members, collaborative partners, faculty, and University leadership. WAM activities will be grounded on policies and practices that advance diversity and promote equity and inclusion.
For questions and more information email wamcoll@umn.edu.
What does the WAM Collective do?
Well…a bunch of things! Throughout the year, the WAM Collective learns about contemporary museum practices, plans and hosts programs, creates fun and intriguing digital and written content, and collaborates with other student groups and departments on campus, incorporating the student voice in a strongly impactful way. Along with all of our projects and programs, the WAM Collective is also a great way to connect with other creative minds and make new friends.
How do I join?
The WAM Collective 2023/2024 application period is now closed. Look for next year's application form in summer 2024. Each year, interested students are asked to fill out a brief form, providing us with a resume to highlight their past experience (although none is required), and then asked to interview with student group leaders. From the interviews, we build our cohort for the year!
Monthly Study Nights
WAM Collective hosts monthly Study Nights at the Weisman, which are free to all U of M students. Study Nights offer a great way to enjoy the museum, catching up on studies, hanging out with friends, or getting hands-on with art-making activities. The first 100 students to arrive receive a free drink voucher from Misfit Coffee! Check the calendar for upcoming Study Nights
Undergraduate Research Opportunity (UROP)
The museum works with students who are interested in conducting research with the museum, and gives students the opportunity for immersive and interactive learning. Each year, UROP funds hundreds of students who produce new knowledge and creative work in partnership with the U of M’s world-class faculty. UROP serves students and faculty whose learning and teaching goals include outside-the-classroom enrichment.