International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum Internship Program

Overview

The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF), originally named the National Lawn Tennis Hall of Fame, was established in 1954 at the

Newport Casino, and was sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association (known then as the USLTA). Originally enshrining only International Tennis Hall of Fame Americans, the first class was inducted in 1955. In 1975, Fred Perry became the first international tennis figure honored and in 1986, it 194 Bellevue Avenue was renamed the International Tennis Hall of Fame and was Newport, RI 02840 Tel: 401 849849----3990399039903990 recognized as the sport’s official Hall of Fame by the International Fax: 401 849849----8780878087808780 Tennis Federation. [email protected] www.tennisfame.com American tournament tennis began in 1881 in Newport, Rhode Island when the first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships were played. This tournament, which evolved into today’s US Open, was played at the Newport Casino until 1915, after which it moved to Forest Hills, New York. Today, it is held in Queens, New York. However, Newport’s historic tennis tradition continues each summer when the Hall of Fame presents the only professional tennis tournament played on grass in the United States. The ITHF distinguishes itself from other sports museums because tennis is still played on the grounds, and many historic champions have graced its grass courts.

In 2013, the ITHF achieved accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest professional achievement in the museum industry. AAM Accreditation indicates that the ITHF is operating at the highest level of museum professional standards and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in all areas: governance, collections stewardship, public programs, financial stability, and continued institutional improvement. Of the nation's estimated 17,500 museums, just over 1,000 are accredited, and the ITHF became the first sports hall of fame to achieve the distinction.

The ITHF, housed in the historic Newport Casino (designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987), is an uncommon example of sporting excellence. The history of the sport from the 12 th century through today is chronicled within its many galleries. The Museum reopened in May 2015 following a nearly complete renovation of its exhibition spaces. The redesigned and reinterpreted galleries encompass more than 12,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, videos, artifacts, and objects related to tennis champions past and present.

The Museum’s permanent collection contains over 25,000 objects, including modern and historic tennis equipment, fine art, decorative arts, artifacts from Hall of Famers and other significant figures within the sport, trophies, textiles and clothing, ephemera, and furnishings. The Museum’s Information Research Center (IRC) houses 5,000 books, over 3,000 audio-visual materials, more than 300,000 photographic images, and a comprehensive collection of magazines, programs, periodicals, blueprints and archival materials.

Museum Mission

The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of tennis and its impact on our culture, as well as the history of the Newport Casino. The Museum accomplishes these goals by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a diverse audience. The Museum also celebrates those persons who have exceptional records or who have made outstanding contributions to the sport.

Internship Objective

Interning at the ITHF is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to obtain comprehensive training in the fields of museum studies, collections management, archival administration, library management, educational and public program development, preservation, video production, and historical scholarship. The internship program is project- oriented and designed to coincide with student interests and professional goals. Working with a member of the museum staff, all interns receive one-on-one attention in their chosen fields. Internships are almost always available in the following areas:

Artifact Collection Interns assist the staff in ensuring the professional management and organization of the museum’s permanent collection. Interns learn standard collections management practices used to document artifacts and assist in proper cataloging, inventory, photographic documentation, and storage. Interns assist in processing incoming and outgoing loans. Interns help in researching exhibit themes, preparing for installation and de-installation, and aid in the rotation of artifacts in the permanent exhibitions.

Library Collection Interns assist the staff in evaluating, cataloguing, and processing library collections. Collections include books, programs, periodicals, and other publications. Interns also help develop and implement proper storage procedures and provide preventive conservation measures.

ArchivArchivalal Collection Interns assist the staff in evaluating, arranging, describing, and processing archival collections. Collections include individual papers, correspondence, institutional records, scrapbooks, and other tennis ephemera. Interns process, catalog, and organize archival collections, including developing finding aids. Interns also help develop and implement proper storage procedures and provide preventive conservation measures. Finally, interns assist in developing a records management program and records retention schedule for the Museum’s institutional records.

PhotoPhotographicgraphic Archive Collection Interns work with the staff in evaluating, arranging, describing, and cataloguing the photograph collection. The photographic archives contains approximately 300,000 still images documenting the Newport Casino, the city of Newport, tennis at the Newport Casino, Hall of Famers and other significant players, and the global sport of tennis from the late 19 th century to the present day. Interns assist with fulfilling reference and research requests, re-housing of the collection, and researching certain images for historical information and copyright purposes. In addition, interns assist the staff in cataloguing, conducting preservation assessments, and the organization (both physical and digitally) of the collection.

Audio Visual Archives Collection Interns work with the staff in reviewing and cataloging the collection of historic tennis matches and tennis related video in various formats. Additional opportunities include the inspection and preservation of film elements, research on content and copyright issues, and the creation of access copies of collection assets. Interns help in customer service and the licensing of moving images. The IRC is undertaking the digitization of its videotape assets, providing interns with the opportunity to develop technical skills in this area and assist in developing best practices for this process.

Education and Public Programs Interns assist in the planning and implementation of programs for all audiences including schools. Interns gain experience researching and creating programs tied to state and National Curriculum Standards. Possible areas of program development include history, social studies, math, science, art, physical education and health. Interns assist in facilitating school and group tours, and create new ideas for public and family programming. Interns also play a role in research and outreach to area schools, groups and attractions. Interns spend time as part of the front line staff, giving tours and interacting with visitors to develop customer service and public speaking skills.

General Information

Internships are open to college juniors and seniors and graduate students and are available year-round. The International Tennis Hall of Fame asks a commitment of at least 8 hours a week during the academic year and 20 hours a week during the summer, although accommodations can be made for certain situations. Positions are competitive and interviews will be requested of qualified candidates. The number of interns varies per semester depending on the availability of projects. Every effort will be made to match the skills and interests of the prospective interns with the priorities of the department. General deadlines for submission of an application are as follows: Fall Semester internship (July 31 st ); Winter/Spring Semester (November 30 th ); Summer (March 31 st ).

Application Process

A completed application includes the following: • A one-page statement describing your reasons for pursuing an internship at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and what you hope to accomplish. • A resume outlining your educational and professional experiences, including a list of relevant courses. • Two letters of recommendation from current or past professors and/or employers.

Contact Information

Please send your complete application to:

Sara Berkovec Registrar International Tennis Hall of Fame 194 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840 Tel: 401-849-3990, ext. 1111 Email: [email protected]