Derven Scholars

Paid internships for college students interested in museum education

Summary Opportunities

Who: Undergraduate seniors and juniors studying in New Orleans (fall program) and Louisiana (summer program)

When: Summer (June–July) and fall (September–November)

Where: Onsite at HNOC in the French Quarter

The Derven Scholars program invites upper-level undergraduate students studying social sciences, humanities, or education to work alongside HNOC’s education department. This program aims to cultivate a collaborative environment in which staff and interns work together to create curriculum resources that are aligned with academic standards and are adaptable to various age groups and learning styles.

Derven Scholars explore key themes, including audience engagement strategies and the integration of museum resources into classroom settings, by curating learning materials specific to HNOC exhibitions that foster critical thinking and historical inquiry.

Practicum Engagement

Curriculum Development: Scholars will be equipped with the skills necessary to curate educational materials tailored to diverse age groups and learning styles, ensuring inclusivity and adaptability in educational practice.
Integration of Resources: Scholars will explore strategies to effectively integrate museum resources into classroom settings, thereby enhancing traditional educational methods through immersive learning experiences.
Education and Public Engagement: Scholars will consider the intersections of education and public engagement in a museum setting.

Available Opportunities

Derven Scholars - Summer 2026

Derven Scholars

Daphne L. Derven

The Derven Scholars program honors the memory and legacy of Daphne L. Derven, whose vision and commitment to educational outreach transformed HNOC for the better. Her work continues to inspire staff, teachers, and students.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Contact HNOC's Education Department.

Not at all! HNOC seeks applicants who demonstrate a passion for history, education, and/or museums in their academic or volunteer work. Students majoring in social science, humanities, liberal arts, foreign languages, ethnic studies, and education are encouraged to apply.

Candidates must be undergraduate students of junior or senior classification.

Students applying for the fall program season must be enrolled in a local four year university located in New Orleans.

Students applying for the summer program season may be enrolled in any Louisiana-based university, inside or outside of the New Orleans area.

Derven Scholars are expected to commit at least 100 hours of engagement while onsite at the Historic New Orleans Collection. These hours may include meetings, career-related conversations with staff, independent research, and work in support of other HNOC education programs.

The fall program follows a 10 week engagement plan from September to November. Interns are expected to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week.

The summer program follows a 6 week engagement plan from June to July. Interns are expected to commit to a minimum of 15 hours per week.

The Derven Scholars program is an onsite internship. Participants will be expected to work at the Historic New Orleans Collection’s French Quarter campus.

Yes. As with all HNOC internships and fellowships, Derven Scholars are paid. Interns are compensated via a one-time stipend.

The Derven Scholars program is managed by HNOC’s Education Department under the direction of the Curator of Education and their team of education specialists.

Interns are responsible for communicating their intention to apply Derven Scholars program work to academic credit upon acceptance into the program. HNOC’s Internship Coordinator will collaborate with the intern and their university’s administrative staff to fulfill any specific standards and criteria required for credit approval.

We advise prospective candidates to review their university’s internship policies before applying.

The Derven Scholars program offers one internship position per season (summer and fall).

The application process begins with an initial screening that confirms whether the applicant satisfies eligibility requirements for the program. Those who successfully pass the screening will be asked to submit a resume, an optional cover letter, and a written response to provided prompts. Selected applicants will be invited to a remote interview.

HNOC’s Education Department will identify the broader subject matter of the curriculum, which will be directly connected to an upcoming museum exhibition or public program. This can extend to various historical and cultural themes of New Orleans and the Gulf South. For more information on the current project, please refer to the complete description of the current program season.

Summer program season participants who do not live in New Orleans, or within a reasonable commuting distance, may be eligible for housing accommodations that are fully funded by the Historic New Orleans Collection.

No housing accommodations are available for fall program season participants.