Smithsonian Internships

The Smithsonian, America's national museum institution, offers a dizzying array of internship opportunities, most centered in Washington, DC. You can apply to individual museums as well as to the general Smithsonian applicant pool (it's probably wisest to apply to both!) Most opportunities are unpaid but there are a few ones featuring stipends as well as some scholarships that can be applied to internships (select the stipend program tag to see these scholarships). This post details the various institution-wide programs there are; click the Smithsonian tag to see posts on internships and fellowships at specific Smithsonian museums and affiliates.

Smithsonian positions are prestigious but extremely competitive because the institution is so well known, so be sure to apply to other places as well. Also, you may be more likely to get busywork or be confined to work in one small area of the overall work of a museum just because of the nature of how large the museums are. The other downside is that they don't offer housing or stipends, which can make it difficult for out-of-the-area students to work because DC housing is extremely expensive, even in the suburbs. However, if it's your passion, go for it! Your school or outside organizations might have scholarship programs for interns you can apply to. Summer is an especially competitive time, so another tip is to apply to fall or spring internships if you can.

Internship opportunities:

• General Smithsonian Intern Pool: Smithsonian staff who need an intern can pull from this pool (pun intended)
• Fall Semester due date: August 1 
• Spring Semester due date: November 1
• Summer Semester due date: March 15
• Online application 
• You can also apply to specific museums' programs
• James E Webb Internship: for minorities interested in business and administration
• Must be a minority (and US citizen or resident) and enrolled in undergrad or grad program in business or public administration
• 10 weeks, full time
• $600/week stipend 
• Summer and Fall Deadline: February 1
• Spring Deadline: October 1 
• Online application
• Essay of interest, resume, unofficial transcripts, references
• Placed in an administration office in one of the museums or affiliates
• Katzenberger Foundation Art History Scholarship
• 6 offered each summer 
• need-based
• college junior or senior
• Art history major or related focus
• 3.0 GPA
• US Citizen or permanent resident
• Need-based
• February 1 due date
• $6,000 stipend
• Essay of interest, transcripts, resume, references
• Minority Awards Program
• Minority and a US citizen or permanent resident 
• Enrolled in undergrad or grad program with 3.0
• Summer and Fall Deadline: February 1
• Spring Deadline: October 1
• $600/week stipend
• 40 hours/week for 10 weeks
• Native American Awards
• Informally or formally relate to a Native American community
• Enrolled in undergrad or grad program
• Summer and Fall Deadline: February 1
• Spring Deadline: October 1
• $600/week stipend
• 40 hours/week for 10 weeks