Summer Internships (for Harvard students)
A limited number of summer internships are available for Harvard students at Villa I Tatti. The primary goal is to allow students to spend two months (June-July) at the Florence center to carry out a project that contributes to their academic development.
Sample Topics
A. Art Catalogue. Interns help to prepare entries for the forthcoming catalogue of our important but little-studied collection of non-Western art; this includes Chinese, Thai, and Japanese works (paintings, bronzes, stone and terracotta sculpture), described in our summary catalogue, The Bernard Berenson Collection of Oriental at Villa I Tatti, 1991. Interns continue this research through the study of the works themselves, Berenson’s correspondence, photographs, and archival material (to document the collection history), and scholarly resources at the Villa.
B. Literary-Political Leaders & Diaries of Mary Berenson. Produce annotated transcriptions of letters from thousands of leading figures in culture and politics who corresponded with the Berensons, including Isaiah Berlin, Ray Bradbury, Ernest Hemingway, Israel Zangwill, and many more. The diaries of Mary Berenson are preserved in the archive at Villa I Tatti and they record the travels she undertook with Bernard to museums, churches, private collections and acquaintances. Interns research names, places, and events mentioned in letters, and previous publications of these documents.
C. Oral History - Florence Flood. Research the crucial role played by former I Tatti fellows following the devastating flood in Florence of 1966 and compile an oral history that will inform an upcoming conference in autumn 2017 at Villa I Tatti. Our center was the headquarters for CRIA (Committee to Rescue Italian Art), which coordinated the work by the leading art historians, curators, and conservators of the day. Interns will develop an oral history questionnaire and will work with the former I Tatti fellows to reconstruct a historic moment in the history of Florence and of art history.
D. Web Projects and Digital Communications. Interns will work on a variety of digital projects, including: Researching and preparing content on the history of I Tatti for publication on the institutional website, rewriting I Tatti's Wikipedia entry, providing support in the maintenance of the institutional YouTube and Flickr accounts (curating existing content and working on new material) drafting content for the Harvard Events Calendar and the I Tatti website news section, assisting with the production of an I Tatti brochure, preparing material for social media and assisting with social media posting.
E. Mediterranean Cookery and Produce. Interns working on Mediterranean cookery and produce will gain experience in the production and preparation of seasonal ingredients and dishes. I Tatti relies heavily on its organic garden to produce a colourful selection of herbs, fruit, and vegetables and interns will learn about the correct preparation of these ingredients while helping to create innovative and fresh Italian and Mediterranean recipes for the scholarly community. Interns will also assist I Tatti's experienced team of Italian chefs in the art of pasticceria (pastry-making.) The internship involves the preparation of written content concerning the history of I Tatti's olive oil and wine, soon to be sold at Harvard, and assisting with the production of an upcoming booklet of recipes from I Tatti's kitchen.
Eligibility
Applicants must be currently enrolled as full-time students at Harvard University. Priority will be given to rising juniors and seniors at Harvard College. Familiarity with Italian is recommended but not required. Unfortunately, graduating seniors are not eligible.
Terms
Interns receive $5000 to offset the costs of transportation, room, and board. They are required to reside in Florence from June 1 through July 30, and are responsible for arranging their own housing and travel. Interns are required to spend at least four full days a week at the Villa and to attend all academic events. Interns may not take on any other obligations, even part-time ones, during any part of their internship. Interns enjoy all the privileges of the Harvard Center, including use of the Biblioteca Berenson and lunch from Monday through Friday.
Application
Applicants will need to provide a cover letter (indicating your choice of topic), C.V. (including knowledge of languages), and a list of courses taken at Harvard (including grades and names of professors.) In addition, they must ask a professor who knows them well to send a letter of recommendation. In order to give your referee adequate time to submit a letter of recommendation, click the reference tab and register yours as early as possible. Referees will receive an email explaining how to access the system and submit their letters electronically.
The topics for 2018 summer internships and a link to apply will be made available later this semester.
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