15 Summer Art Internships for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 12 min read
If you're a college student interested in art, design, or museum work, a summer internship can help you see how creative industries function behind the scenes. These internships allow you to apply what you’ve learned in class to professional settings while developing research, communication, and organizational skills that are valuable across careers. You might support curatorial projects, contribute to exhibition planning, assist with education programs, or help develop digital and design materials. Internships can also help you connect with mentors, expand your professional network, and explore what working in a gallery, nonprofit, or cultural institution is really like.
To help you get started, we have 15 summer art internships for college students.
If you are looking for paid online internships, check out our blog here.
15 Summer Art Internships for College Students
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to undergraduates and gap year students!
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Location: The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
Cost: Free; all internships are paid
Program Dates: June–August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications open in February; deadline in late February.
Eligibility: College students with at least two years of undergraduate study completed, also open to recent graduates and beginning museum professionals. International students may apply.
The MoMA Summer Internship offers undergraduates the chance to work directly within museum departments such as Curatorial, Film, Education, Visitor Engagement, and Design. As an intern, you’ll contribute to projects connected to upcoming exhibitions or ongoing museum initiatives, which may involve research, writing, program coordination, and design-related tasks. There will be weekly professional development sessions that introduce you to MoMA’s collections, conservation labs, archives, and operations across departments. You will also receive mentorship from staff who will guide your project work and share insight into museum careers. There are administrative assignments built into the role to provide exposure to the workflows behind major art institutions. You can also request documentation to earn academic credit if your university allows it.
Location: Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY
Cost: Free; this is a paid full-time internship
Program Dates: June 1–July 31
Application Deadline: Applications open November 19; final deadline in late November
Eligibility: Primarily for undergraduate students; international students are eligible. First-year undergraduates are not typically eligible; applicants must meet individual department requirements.
The Hearst Summer Internship at the Whitney Museum places students within museum departments such as Curatorial, Education, Digital Content, Exhibition Design, Research Resources, and Graphic Design. You will support professional staff through research, public-facing interactions, writing tasks, and administrative assignments tied to modern and contemporary American art. The program includes a weekly speaker series and structured professional development to help you understand museum operations across departments. You will spend at least three days each week onsite to participate in hands-on project work and departmental workflows. Mentorship is provided by supervisors and staff who will guide you through department-specific responsibilities. The experience also allows you to build a professional network within the New York arts ecosystem while gaining practical skills needed for museum careers.
Location: Multiple sites including New York, NY; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Philadelphia, PA; Baltimore, MD; Cleveland, OH; Memphis, TN; and Newark, NJ
Cost: Free; this is a paid internship program
Program Dates: Varies by city; typically June 1–August 15 (nine weeks), with weekly program days on Fridays
Application Deadline: Applications open early in the year; deadline varies by location but typically falls in March–April
Eligibility: Open to college students; individual positions may require specific majors or skills. U.S.-based applicants only.
The Arts Intern Program places college students in paid summer roles across museums, art centers, and cultural institutions in major U.S. cities. You will support departments such as Curatorial, Collections Management, and Archival Research, among others. The roles are project-driven and may involve cataloguing artworks, assisting with exhibitions, producing digital media, designing educational materials, or contributing to public programs. The program includes weekly professional development days focused on understanding how arts institutions operate and how different departments collaborate. You will receive mentorship from staff at their host institutions while gaining exposure to day-to-day museum practices and administrative workflows.
Location: National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Cost: Free; interns receive an hourly stipend totaling $9,093.60 for the nine-week internship, plus a one-time cost-of-living stipend of $1,818; A transportation subsidy is also available
Program Dates: June 2–August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Open to current students, recent graduates, and individuals exploring or transitioning into art and museum careers. Applicants must submit a résumé, short-answer responses, references, and a work sample.
The National Gallery’s Summer Internship offers college students and emerging professionals a structured introduction to museum work through full-time placement in a department aligned with their interests. You will contribute to ongoing institutional projects, which may involve research, writing, digital initiatives, public programming, or administrative coordination, depending on the assigned team. There will be weekly sessions which provide access to curators, senior administrators, and specialized staff, allowing you to explore the Gallery’s collections and internal operations. The program features a hybrid model, which allows for a mix of on-site and remote assignments, determined collaboratively with supervisors. Mentorship is a core component of the program, with staff offering guidance on project work and professional development. The internship’s cohort environment also supports networking and collaboration with peers pursuing careers in the arts.
Location: Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
Cost: Free; interns receive an $8,000 stipend for the 10-week program
Program Dates: Ten-week summer internship; exact June–August dates vary
Application Deadline: Applications open January 5; deadline is March 6 at 5:00 p.m. EST
Eligibility: Undergraduates with financial need; must be pursuing research or collections projects connected to art history. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents
This internship supports undergraduates interested in art history through hands-on work within the Smithsonian research and collections departments. You will contribute to projects in areas such as collections management, cultural heritage, costume and textiles, crafts, public affairs, and art-historical research. The role offers practical experience with object handling, cataloging, documentation, and the workflows associated with large-scale museum collections. You will also receive mentorship from Smithsonian staff who will guide your research development and help contextualize daily tasks within broader museum objectives.
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost: Free; interns receive paid compensation (amount varies by department and funding source)
Program Dates: June 2–August 7
Application Deadline: Applications open mid-November; final deadline is January 14 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates. Applicants must demonstrate enthusiasm for museum work and meet project-specific criteria
The Met’s Summer Internship provides students with full-time or part-time museum placements across departments such as Curatorial, Education, Conservation, Decorative Arts, Digital, Libraries, and Visitor Engagement. Full-time interns participate in the Museum Seminar (MuSe) Series, which offers weekly sessions exploring how museum professionals collaborate to support exhibitions, programming, and operations. As an intern, you’ll contribute to substantial departmental projects involving research, writing, cataloguing, teaching, and program planning. Full-time participants also complete a public engagement component where they design and lead tours or educational activities. The selection process involves two stages of committee review followed by interviews with supervisors to match applicants with suitable projects. The program emphasizes professional development, mentorship, and exposure to the workflows inside one of the world’s largest art museums.
Location: Americans for the Arts, Washington, DC (remote or hybrid)
Cost: Free; interns are compensated (exact pay varies by team placement)
Program Dates: Six-week program scheduled between June 2–August 29. Final dates may shift depending on team needs
Application Deadline: Applications typically open early in the year; the portal closes once capacity is reached
Eligibility: High school graduates, current college students, and individuals exploring or transitioning into arts careers. Interns must reside in the U.S. and be available full-time for a minimum of six weeks.
The Americans for the Arts Summer Internship gives you the chance to contribute to national arts advocacy work while learning how arts organizations shape cultural, social, and educational policy. You’ll join specific teams such as Research, Arts Education, Public Art, Marketing, or Community Advancement, and assist with day-to-day tasks like project coordination, communications, data collection, and program support. The work is structured around a flexible, hybrid schedule, allowing you to engage with staff across departments and participate in internal events. Supervisors provide mentorship throughout the internship, helping you understand career pathways in the arts and nonprofit sectors. The program also emphasizes networking, encouraging you to connect with staff from other teams to build a broader understanding of the field.
Location: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, NY
Cost: Free; interns are paid (stipend amount varies by department and funding source)
Program Dates: June 2–July 25
Application Deadline: January 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Eligibility: Open to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates. Applicants are matched to departments based on academic background, skills, and professional interests.
The Guggenheim Summer Internship assigns students to museum departments such as Curatorial, Education, Collections, Conservation, Digital, Archives, and Exhibition Management. You will work on immersive departmental projects under supervision, contributing to research, writing, cataloging, public programming, or digital content, depending on your placement. The Weekly Museum Culture Seminars help you build transferable skills like public speaking, writing, and collaborative problem-solving. The program also encourages cross-team engagement, giving you opportunities to connect with staff across the museum and learn how various departments coordinate exhibitions and operations. Mentorship is built into the structure, with supervisors guiding both project work and career development. Through a combination of hands-on tasks and structured learning, you can gain meaningful exposure to museum practice and the inner workings of a major contemporary art institution.
Location: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, New York, NY
Cost: Free; interns receive a $6,000 stipend
Program Dates: June 9–August 15 (10 weeks, 35 hours/week)
Application Deadline: February 10 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program and eligible to work in the United States.
The Peter A. Krueger Summer Internship places undergraduates across curatorial, digital media, collections, finance, and design-focused departments within the Cooper Hewitt. You’ll participate in hybrid work schedules and gain exposure to museum practices such as cataloguing, exhibition research, object handling, and digital content development. Department-specific roles may involve video production, writing for the museum blog, collections database management, or supporting research tied to historical and contemporary design. You will work directly with museum staff who provide mentorship and guidance on both project tasks and professional development. Through departmental work and structured learning, you can deepen your understanding of how a design museum operates and how design history informs exhibition and programming decisions.
Location: Various arts organizations across the United States; administered through Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free; internship placements are funded through Cardinal Quarter (stipend amounts vary by placement but typically cover living expenses)
Program Dates: Ten-week summer internships; exact June–August dates vary by host organization
Application Deadline: Timeline varies by cycle; applications typically open during the academic year and close in winter/early spring
Eligibility: Open to Stanford undergraduate students only. Applicants may choose from pre-arranged campus-based internships or apply for funding to pursue a self-designed off-campus internship.
The Stanford Internship Program in the Arts places undergraduates in full-time arts administration roles across museums, nonprofits, performing arts organizations, design studios, and cultural institutions. You’ll work for 10 weeks on projects involving programming, outreach, operations, communications, and organizational strategy within arts ecosystems. The program offers two pathways: pre-arranged internships with established partners or self-designed internships that allow you to propose your own host organization. You will receive mentorship from supervisors and support from the Stanford Arts Institute as you navigate project responsibilities. Throughout the summer, you will gain insight into how arts organizations function and how administrative roles support creative production and public engagement.
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Cost: Free; undergraduate interns earn $16.80 per hour, and graduate interns earn $19.95 per hour
Program Dates: June 15–August 21
Application Deadline: February 6–March 12 (rolling basis; positions close as they are filled)
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates, and adults with relevant experience. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
The MFA Pathways Summer Internship places students in paid roles across key museum departments such as Curatorial, Conservation, Collections, Education, Exhibitions, and Visitor Engagement. You’ll receive day-to-day training within your assigned department while contributing to projects related to research, cataloguing, public programming, digital initiatives, or administrative support. The program includes structured professional development opportunities designed to introduce interns to a broad range of museum careers and workflows. Each participant is paired with a staff mentor who provides ongoing guidance and feedback throughout the summer. You will also engage with peers across the program through informational sessions and cross-departmental learning experiences.
Location: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free; all internships are paid (hourly rate varies by department)
Program Dates: June–mid-August (exact dates vary by department)
Application Deadline: January–mid-February (summer opportunities are posted in January and remain open through mid-February)
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates, and adults with relevant experience. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
The Art Institute of Chicago’s paid summer internships place students in departments such as Curatorial, Conservation, Marketing, Education, Administration, Visitor Services, Finance, and Technology. As interns, you’ll contribute to departmental projects involving research, program planning, object handling, digital media development, and logistical support. You’ll work alongside museum professionals on daily tasks while also participating in special projects or exhibition-related initiatives. Interns gain exposure to museum operations, attend staff events, and benefit from access to exhibitions, professional networks, and mentorship from departmental supervisors. The program is designed to help you deepen your understanding of museum careers while building practical skills relevant to arts administration and cultural institutions. Summer placements typically require around 30 hours per week, with some flexibility based on departmental needs.
Location: High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free; interns receive paid compensation
Program Dates: June 9–August 1
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Rising college juniors and seniors, graduating seniors, and currently enrolled graduate students; must secure their own housing and transportation.
The High Museum of Art’s Summer Internship Program offers undergraduates and graduate students hands-on experience inside one of the Southeast’s leading art museums. As interns, you’ll work within departments such as Folk and Self-Taught Art, Photography, Development, Interpretation, and more, contributing directly to research, project planning, and department operations. Each placement includes weekly professional development workshops that introduce you to different museum functions and allow you to engage with staff across curatorial, education, and administrative areas. You will gain exposure to collection-based research, visitor engagement, arts fundraising, or media production, depending on your assigned role. You will also receive opportunities to participate in select museum programs, observe behind-the-scenes workflows, and build professional networks.
Location: Washington, DC
Cost: Free; interns are paid $17.95/hour
Program Dates: Summer 2026 dates to be announced (seasonal, 20–30 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Opens spring; specific deadline is yet to be announced
Eligibility: Open to students who have completed their sophomore year, graduate students, recent graduates, or individuals with two years of work experience after high school. U.S. work authorization required.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts offers part-time, paid summer internships across departments such as curatorial, education, digital engagement, and communications. You’ll work 20–30 hours per week and complete up to 240–480 hours total, depending on your schedule. You’ll contribute to departmental projects, participate in museum operations, and gain hands-on exposure to how an advocacy-driven cultural institution functions. Instead of a cover letter, applicants submit a two-page writing sample and an unofficial transcript (if applicable). The program includes mentoring, structured review procedures, and professional development built into the museum’s internship framework.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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