BALTIMORE, MD – The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) and Valerie J. Maynard Foundation (VJMF) announced today the creation of a shared internship program in honor of artist Valerie J. Maynard (1937–2022). Maynard was a pioneering member of the Black Arts Movement and beloved icon of the Baltimore arts community, whose multi-decade practice engaged with the complexity of Black identity and experience. The idea for a collaborative internship with the BMA was first conceived with Maynard as a natural extension of her lifelong impact as an educator and mentor. The Valerie J. Maynard Legacy Internship honors that legacy by supporting young professionals seeking to enter the museum field. The paid internship, which formally launched this fall, invites students to gain experience at both organizations, offering opportunities to learn practical skills in research and preservation, exhibition development, and the work of artist estates. The program also supports Baltimore’s artistic vitality—a critical goal for the BMA, Foundation, and Maynard during her lifetime.
The Valerie J. Maynard Legacy Internship celebrates the artist’s profound impact on the development of contemporary art and continues her deep commitment to education and instruction in the arts. The inaugural cohort includes two interns selected by the Valerie J. Maynard Foundation (VJMF) from a class already engaged with the Foundation. Future interns will be selected by the BMA and VJMF through an open call and interview process. Interns will be paid a stipend for a semester of work, ensuring financial support for participating students as they gain essential professional knowledge.
“The Valerie J. Maynard Legacy Internship is a beautiful testament to Valerie’s unwavering audacity to dream on a grand scale. It paints a vision of a world where each person, armed with the right tools and ample support, can heal themselves and uplift the entire world,” said Antonio David Lyons, Valerie J. Maynard Foundation Board President. “The Foundation stands with immense pride as stewards of this legacy, providing a platform for young scholar-artists to immerse themselves in the life and artistry of Valerie Maynard.”
More information: artbma.org
