Otto Thieme Memorial Internship

Illinois • Indiana• Iowa • Michigan • Minnesota • Missouri • Nebraska • North Dakota • Ohio • South Dakota • Wisconsin • Manitoba • Ontario

The Otto Thieme Memorial Internship offers the opportunity to give a student a museum experience in the field of costume through a hands-on curatorial experience during the spring or summer semesters. The winning applicant will receive a $2000 stipend for an eight-week student internship to work with a costume collection affiliated with a Midwestern museum, historical society, or a university. Students are encouraged to apply with a host institution of their choice.


The regional internship has the following objectives:


  1. To provide a mentored experience that draws from the knowledge and expertise of the region’s many talented professionals.
  2. To encourage the training of professionals in the field of costume.
  3. To provide a focused, hands-on curatorial experience that will supplement a student’s academic curriculum, and establish the groundwork for an appreciation of the use of historic costumes in costume scholarship.


Otto Charles Thieme (1943-1996) taught courses in textile design and the history of textiles for the Related Art program in what is now the School of Human Ecology, from 1972 to 1979 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He went on to become the Curator of Costume, Textiles, and Tribal Arts at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Mr. Thieme was an important and influential member of the Costume Society of America.

  • Eligibility

    Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:


    • Must be a current Midwestern Region CSA Student Member.
    • Be of senior status or a graduate student enrolled in a degree program at an accredited institution.
    • Have completed at least three courses relating to the field of costume history, museum studies, art history, women’s history, textiles, and/or material culture centered around the study of dress.
    • Obtained the permission of a potential supervisor to intern at a Midwestern museum, historical society or university.

  • Application Procedure

    The complete application should be uploaded using the online submission form found here that includes contact information and the following attachments: 


    • Applicant biography (no more than 100 words).
    • Proof of current student enrollment and relevant courses.
    • Description of project, dates of the internship, supervisor contact information and project goals. (no more than 300 words).
    • Letters of reference from two people who are familiar with the scholarly aptitude and performance of the applicant.

  • Grant Schedule and Terms

    The application deadline has been extended to February 21, 2025. Notification of results will take place by March 7, 2025.


    • The grant allows for an eight-week internship to take place between February – August, 2025.
    • A panel of Regional reviewers will evaluate applications using the following criteria: academic record and appropriate coursework, description of project with clearly stated goals with measurable objectives, and references. (Staff from participating institutions are not eligible to sit on the jury.)
    • The successful candidate will receive a $2,000 stipend to assist with costs during the eight-week internship. (Please note: the recipient of the internship will be required to arrange their own housing accommodations.) 
    • This award funds a student for 15 hours a week for eight weeks with the participating institution.  (The student can work with their internship supervisor to determine schedules and can work additional hours if desired, but these hours will not be covered by the award stipend.)
    • Halfway through the internship, recipients will be required to submit a short written report of progress (no more than 250 words) to the Award Chair.  At the completion of the internship, recipients will be required to do a short presentation or publish about their internship experience via Zoom, YouTube, the CSA newsletter or other forms of media.
    • Recipients must publicly acknowledge CSA in all lectures, publications, and publicity pertaining to the award.

The Application Deadline has been extended to February 21, 2025.

Contact Committee Chair Jeanine Head Miller for questions about this grant.

Contact Jeanine Head Miller