Internship Archives & Collections

Vlisco possesses one of the largest single textile archives in the world, with more than 350,000 wax prints and hundreds of sample books dating back to the early 1800s, tracing a transcontinental history of textiles. The brand also holds a rich chronicle of cultural icons connected to its fabrics, from historic figures such as Nelson Mandela, Miriam Makeba, and The Beatles, to artists such as Kehinde Wiley, Seydou Keïta, and Yinka Shonibare.

Vlisco is in the process of elevating its Archive into a creative engine room that fuels design innovation, deepens brand storytelling, and enhances its global cultural presence. To support this process, we are looking for a curious, research-oriented, and hands-on Archive & Collections Intern with an interest in cultural heritage.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducting research related to the history, cultural context, and legacy of Vlisco;

• Supporting the digitization, registration, and data entry of the collection;

• Assisting with internal and external research requests;

• Contributing to both long-term research projects and day-to-day archive activities;

• Providing general daily support to the Archive Manager and Archive Coordinator;

• Reporting: summarising research findings and formulating clear, practical recommendations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently enrolled in a programme in Art History, Cultural Studies, Museology, or a related field;

• Strong interest in research, archives, collections, and cultural heritage;

• Proficiency in Dutch and English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus;

• Hands-on, proactive, and willing to support daily archive operations;

• Accurate and methodical working style, especially when handling collection data;

• Good communication skills, both written and oral;

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a small team;

• Basic experience with digital tools (e.g. databases, Excel, collection systems) is a plus.

IN RETURN WE OFFER YOU:
The conditions that apply to you as an intern are listed below:

• A challenging and educational internship of 16 weeks or longer;

• An internship allowance of €450 per month based on 32–40 hours (pro rata);

• A workplace located in the center of Helmond, within walking distance of the train station;

• The opportunity to gain hands-on experience in one of the Europe’s most significant textile archives;

• A highly creative working environment and involvement in meaningful cultural projects;

• Guidance / supervision.