Internship: museum summer internships

Explore a career in museums with an internship at The National Museum of African American History and Culture.

ABOUT PROGRAM

The mission of the National Museum of African American History and Culture Internship Program is to provide equitable and meaningful temporary workplace-based learning experiences guided by staff mentors across a broad range of museum career fields to support the academic and professional goals of future museum leaders and advocates.

Internships at the National Museum of African American History and Culture offer undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates and career changers opportunities to work closely with professionals and scholars in the museum field. The museum provides a dynamic learning environment and access to supportive mentors that help interns reach their educational and professional goals. Interns can gain practical museum skills and program development experience in a variety of traditional and non-traditional museum careers.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

  • Office of Advancement (Fundraising, Donor Relations, Annual Giving)
  • Office of Curatorial Affairs (Curatorial, Collections, Archives, Digitization)
  • Office of the Deputy Director (Education, Publications)
  • Office of Digital Strategy and Engagement (Searchable Museum, Oral History)
  • Office of the Director
  • Office of External Affairs (Marketing and Communications, Public Programs, Special Events, Visitor Services)
  • Office of Operations (Finance, Facilities Planning & Business Programs, Human Resources, Information Technology)
  • Office of Project Management and Planning (Project Management, Exhibition Design, Design & Production)
  • Office of Strategic Partnerships

DURATION AND APPLICATION

Internships are available as full-time (30-40 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours or less) positions from 10 to 13 weeks throughout the year with the possibility for an extension. Start dates and duration may be flexible and arranged with approval from the mentor.

  • Spring Internships (January-April): October 15th Applicant Deadline
  • Summer Internships (June-August): February 15th Application Deadline
  • Fall Internships (September-December): June 15th Application Deadline

LOCATION

Internships are offered as virtual (online and remote), hybrid (virtual with 2-3 days onsite  a week as scheduled), or onsite (entire internship to occur at The National Museum of African American History and Culture or other Smithsonian facilities) experiences.

Hybrid and onsite internships will offer onsite learning experiences at the National Museum of African American History and Culture or an alternate Smithsonian office space in Washington, DC accessible via public transportation.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture Internship program does not offer housing.

TO APPLY

Applicants will need to submit a complete application through the Smithsonian online application system known as SOLAA. Incomplete applications will not be considered. When applying via SOLAA, please select up to two specific internships of interests in your application.

Complete applications must include the following:

  • Complete internship program application with up to two internships selected
  • Résumé
  • Academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts accepted)
  • Personal essay stating learning objectives, internship positions of interest, and academic or career goals
  • Two letters of reference

For more information about internships program, please click here.