Internships
The Studio Museum in Harlem's internship program provides college undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates with a wide range of experiences designed to provide insight into the workings of a professional museum environment. In addition to working on projects with Museum staff, interns engage in a series of meetings and workshops around contemporary museology.
Only individuals authorized to work in the United States will be accepted into the internship program. The Museum will consider expressions of interest in providing volunteer services to the Museum from non-work-authorized individuals.
The spring 2024 internship application is now open.
The following six internship positions will be available in the Spring 2024 season: Archives, Communications, Curatorial, Director’s Office, Education, and People Operations.
Please note that we allow applicants to select a first and second choice for positions they would like to be considered for. Kindly apply to up to two positions and identify in your cover letter which are your primary and secondary choices.
Due to a high volume of applications, only candidates who have been selected for interviews will be contacted directly regarding their application status.
Applicants are required to submit the following for consideration:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Optional video, up to 2 minutes (max), that discusses your interest in the Studio Museum, the specific position you’ve applied for, and how an internship would impact your career. Videos should be emailed to internships@studiomuseum.org, with “Application Video” in the subject line.
Dates and Details:
Spring 2024 Dates: January 22, 2024 – April 26, 2024 (14-weeks)
Requirements: Minimum 15 hours/week, during the work week (M-F); interns are required to work hybrid schedule, with in-person one day a week in our offices in Harlem.
Stipend: $3,150
Application Deadline: 11:59 PM on Monday October 16, 2023
Applicants will be notified about interviews by November 10, 2023. If you have not heard back before that date you have not been considered as a finalist for the Spring 2024 cohort.
All interns must attend an in-person orientation day the morning of January 22, 2024, to commence their program. Interns are expected to provide their own computer to ensure participation in the remote portion of the internship. As part of the internship experience there are dedicated professional development sessions that will take place at various times but include gallery & museum visits, talks, and workshops that are a part of the Studio Museum Institute. Attendance at these Studio Museum Institute events are mandatory and a part of the internship experience.
Archives (One position)
The Archives Intern will work closely with the archives team to digitize historical exhibition records. Records will include installation photography, printed matter, checklists, press releases and other historical material culled from the institutional archive. The internship will engage interested candidates in various collection stewardship tasks that include handling archival material and working with archival collections, research, and collections management. The intern should be detail oriented, highly organized, flexible, and able to work independently. The Archives Internship is designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in archives, museum studies, history, visual culture, or a related field.
Communications Department (One position)
The Communications Intern will work with the Communications Department to perform functions critical to communicating the Studio Museum’s mission and offerings to Museum stakeholders, the press, and our diverse audiences. The Communications Intern will learn about institutional voice, communications strategy, media relations best practices, and assist with pulling Studio Museum press mentions and interacting with press requests weekly. The Communications Intern will work on drafting copy for the institution’s administrative, programming, and exhibition needs as well as contributing to the Museum's magazine, Studio.
Applicants must possess excellent writing and communication skills, superb attention to detail, be highly organized, and be able to work independently. Must demonstrate familiarity with social media and online email marketing tools (Mailchimp) and must be adept at using Adobe Creative Suite (specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop). The Media and Communications Internships are designed for mature undergraduate students, graduate students, or recent graduates interested in careers in arts communications, media studies, social marketing, design, or related fields. If available, please provide a link to your design portfolio in the application.
Curatorial Department (one position)
The Curatorial Intern will work under the direction of the Curatorial Assistants. Interns will be involved in a range of curatorial research projects. A key component of this internship will be conducting research and writing for objects in the permanent collection, as well as conducting research for exhibition thematics that will be on the website or for future exhibitions. Potential projects may also include maintaining digital archives or completing administrative tasks for exhibition-related projects. Interns will work directly with curators and assistants. Access to research resources is strongly preferred.
The Curatorial Internship position is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring/minoring in art history, visual culture, or a related field. Applicants should be interested in curating, have excellent writing and research skills and knowledge of the contemporary art world. Applicants must be able to handle multiple projects at once and work independently.
Director's Office Department (One position)
The Director’s Office Intern will assist in the development and execution of a diverse range of strategic initiatives. Responsibilities include assisting with projects that support the Director and Chief Curator and the Chief of Staff. Specific projects might include institutional history research, archival development, and logistical support. This position is best suited for a candidate eager to gain familiarity with the administrative responsibilities and strategic planning required for a career in nonprofit organizational management. Candidates should note this is not a curatorial position; however, those individuals considering careers in the arts administration sector are encouraged to apply. Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite is required. Excellent research, writing, and communication skills, as well as meticulous attention to detail, are essential.
The Director’s Office Internship is designed for college sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates.
Learning & Engagement Department (One position)
The Education Intern position is an opportunity for an educator to deepen their understanding of museum education and the impact of arts and cultural programming on society. The Education Intern will work closely with department staff on a series of projects that contribute to the development of digital programs and online education content, enhancing opportunities for learning, connection, and leadership across communities. The Education Intern will perform research informed by their own areas of interest, and designed to support the department’s goals to develop tools and methods that serve our constituents’ short- and long-term needs through accessible, impactful programs and resources.
Ongoing projects and tasks will include assisting with and participate in online Education programs, creating and editing permanent collection-based lesson plans and other online resources, attending Education and cross-department meetings, and monthly supervision with the Manager of Education Programs.
The ideal candidate will possess excellent organizational skills, creativity, and a passion for research. The Education Internship is designed for third- and fourth-year undergraduates, recent graduates, and master’s candidates who are preparing for careers in Art Education, Museum Education, Arts Administration, Fine Arts, Art History, or related fields.
People & Culture Department (1 Position)
The People Operations department seeks to employ an enthusiastic and driven intern to assist with administrative and People Operations-related tasks. The People Operations intern will work under the Director of People Operations and will be involved in research projects for recruitment and employee engagement. A key component of this internship will be conducting research for candidates for the Museum, helping plan volunteer events and bimonthly employee engagement events, and scheduling interviews, onboarding processes, posting jobs, and new hire announcements. The People Operations internship position is designed for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in human resources, business management, or a related fields. Applicants must have excellent written, oral, and organizational skills and a high attention to detail.
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