The Barnes Art Museum Internships (Philadelphia)

The Barnes Foundation, who run both an art museum in Philadelphia and an arboretum in Merion, PA, offer internship programs for undergraduate and grad students. The Barnes is a unique art museum located near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, encompassing an extensive collection of some of the biggest names in impressionist and early modern art that belonged to one man who insisted his collection be kept inside of his home. Thus the gallery space is set up exactly as his home was and the art is hung in the same spaces as in his original home, which had become too small a space for the amount of visitors wanting to see the unparalleled collection.

Internship Information:

• Open to undergraduate and graduate students
• Summer, fall, and spring internships
• Semester or longer internships available
• Departments available:
• Arboretum
• Archives
• Art Education
• Art Library
• Conservation
• Curatorial
• Development (Giving)
• Finance
• Graphic Design
• Horticulture Education
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Legal
• Marketing and Social Media
• Membership
• PR
• Publications
• Registration
• Visual Resource, Website
• Summer internship: 8 consecutive weeks, at least 2 days/week, Friday mandatory enrichment activities
• Typical Deadlines:
• Summer: March 1
• Fall: June 1
• Spring: October 1
• Application, resume, essay, transcripts, 2 letters of recommendation mailed
• More information here

Peabody Essex Museum Internships and Fellowships (Massachusetts)

The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts is a one-of-a-kind medium-sized institution dedicated to interpreting American, Native American, Maritime, and Asian art, architecture, and textiles. The collection began with the souvenirs of New England sea captains and has expanded into an impressive array of art and photography in a state-of-the-art exhibit space. Public programming abounds, including an Art and Nature Center designed to be family-friendly. An extensive internship program is offered for students hoping to enter the museum field and seeking to get concrete project-based experience. Fellowship opportunities for professionals and graduate students of Native American, Alaskan, and Hawaiian background are also offered.

Internship Information:

• Project-based experience
• Professional development opportunities
• Volunteer
• Flexible hours
• Open to undergrad and grad students
• Departments:
• Art & Nature Center (education, exhibits, programming)
• Connected Learning (Education - art focus) - grad student preferrence
• Creative Engagement (events, programming)
• Curatorial/Exhibitions and Research
• Curatorial: Photography Collection - graduate student
• Design Intern/Creative Series (graphic design)
• Development
• Development: Events
• Executive Office (administrative)
• Exhibition Research and Publishing Rights (including experience developing books)
• Exhibition Research and Publishing Editorial Intern (writing, communications)
• Marketing
• Merchandising/Museum Shop
• Fall semester applications are due August 1
• Check the website for due dates for other semesters
• Application, cover letter, resume submitted via email or by mail
• More info here

Fellowship Information:

A Native American Fellowship is offered to graduate students and cultural professionals of Native American, Alaskan, and Hawaiian background. It is a paid, 10-week, full-time opportunity, with application information posted in January. A stipend, lodging, workshops, and travel expense coverage are offered and school credit can be arranged. More info here.

The Mint Art Museum Internships (North Carolina)

The Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC has two locations in the city displaying their multi-faceted collection of all different mediums and manifestations of art and design from a variety of cultures and times. From shoes to paintings to photographs to quilts to ceramics, the collection features fine art, decorative arts, fashion, crafts, and sculpture. It also has a noteworthy collection of Native American artwork and crafts. The exciting museum also offers a vibrant internship program for college students interested in visual art and museum work.

Internship Opportunities:

• Summer (fall and spring also available)
• Positions available at both museum locations (both are in Charlotte)
• Must have a 3.0 minimum major GPA
• Undergrad and grad students
• Interns who will work directly with kids must get a background check
• Unpaid
• 10-25 hours/week
• Major in an arts-related field is preferred
• Departments available to intern with:
• Accounting and Finance
• Affiliate/Advancement
• Archives
• Collections and Exhibitions
• Digital Media and Web Management
• Facilities
• Graphic Design
• Information Technology
• Learning and Engagement
• Library
• Mass Communication
• Photo/Video (Communications)
• PR
• Registration
• More info here

Application information:

• Online application
• Resume, cover letter, letter of recommendation 
• Due dates:
• Summer: mid-March
• Fall: late June 
• Spring: early November

Learn more about volunteer and docent opportunities here.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum Internships (Ohio)

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum is located in Cleveland, Ohio and celebrates the history and continuing story of rock and roll music. The museum is a massive seven floors and houses countless priceless memorabilia related to the giants of the genre, as well as film theaters and changing exhibits. The museum offers internships to undergrad and grad students throughout the year.

Internship Opportunities:

• Open to undergrad and grad students
• Unpaid
• 12-40 hours/week; min. 8 weeks
• Professional development and training in summer season
• Departments available to intern with:
• Library and Archives 
• Development
• Education
• HR
• Legal
• Strategy and Planning
• Marketing and Communications
• Collections
• Digital Media
• More info here

Application Information:

• Cover letter, resume, letter of recommendation, personal statement
• Deadlines:
• Summer: due March 15
• Fall: due August 15
• Spring: due December 15

Learn more about volunteer, docent, and career opportunities here.

High Museum of Art Internships and Undergraduate Fellowship (Atlanta, GA)

The High Museum of Art is dedicated to the display of contemporary art and architecture and is a renowned museum in the southeast, located in Atlanta, Georgia. The museum offers summer internships for junior and senior undergrads and recent graduates. There is also an undergraduate curatorial fellowship and a weeklong curatorial summer academy offered each year.

Internship Opportunities:

• Unpaid; no housing; discounted parking
• Free admission to museum events
• Discount at museum shop and cafe
• Summer, 8 weeks (first week of June to end of July)
• Departments/opportunities available
• Education intern: Museum interpretation
• Education intern: School and Teacher Services
• Education intern: Public Youth and Community Services
• Education intern: Family Programs
• Marketing & Communications intern: Marketing and PR
• Marketing & Communications intern: Membership and Guest Relations 
• Registrar Intern: Rights and Reproduction
• Due Date: early March
• More information here

Fellowship Opportunities:

• Mellow Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship
• 2-year full-time summer fellowship
• Less intensive engagement during academic year
• 2 students chosen each year
• Program also available at Art Institute Chicago, LA County Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas)
• Work with staff on exhibitions, travel to partner museums
• Stipend
• Mentoring
• Open to freshman and sophomore students from diverse backgrounds
• Application due late February
• Weeklong Summer Curatorial Academy
• Open to 15 students
• Rising sophomores and juniors
• Learn about the museum and curatorial work through presentations from curators, field trips, and projects
• One week in mid-May
• Per diem for daily expenses
• Modest travel and housing stipend possible if live far away
• Application:
• Resume
• Transcripts
• Personal Statement
• Letter of recommendation
• Application
• Submit via email
• More information about both opportunities here

More information about being a volunteer is available here.