The Whitney’s intern program offers training and direct experience working in one of New York City’s most exciting museums. If you are a college student interested in learning more about how museums work or are considering a museum career, we encourage you to apply. The Whitney’s internship program seeks talented people of all backgrounds—we value diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, gender expressions, and abilities.
Interns are placed in departments across the Museum where they assist professional staff, interact with the public, conduct research, provide administrative support, and learn about modern and contemporary American art. Interns also gain valuable training, skills, and work experience as well as an opportunity to build a network of professional contacts.
The Whitney offers full-time, paid internships in the summer, and part-time, paid internships during the academic year:
Summer Internship
The Whitney’s summer internship is a full-time, paid, nine-week session primarily for undergraduate students. The program includes training, direct work experience, professional development, and a mentorship program that connects interns with key Whitney staff. The 2021 internship runs from Monday, June 7 through Friday, August 6. Participants are expected to be available Monday through Friday for nine consecutive weeks, five days per week. Please review the department descriptions and refer to the list on the application—not all departments will be taking interns for the summer. The decision regarding whether the program will be in-person or virtual has not yet been determined.
Highlights:
- $5,000 stipend for full participation
- Interns are assigned to a specific museum department for the duration
- Weekly speaker series featuring curators and other museum professionals
- Field trips to other cultural institutions (if the program is in-person)
- Interns spend a portion of their time working with Museum visitors (if the program is in-person)
- Interns are partnered with a mentor
- Free admission to most New York City museums, regular employee discounts at the Museum restaurants and retail store as well as invitations to exhibition openings
Qualifications:
- Priority consideration is given to rising juniors and seniors at accredited undergraduate programs
- Students must have completed two years of academic course work by the time the internship program begins. Rising juniors, seniors and graduating seniors will be considered.
- Certain positions may require graduate-level training and/or professional experience, noted in the department descriptions.
The deadline for submissions is January 29, 2021 at midnight EST.
Academic Year Internship
The Whitney’s paid Academic Year Internship program offers semester long internships for undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited academic program. For Spring 2021, the internship will be virtual with interns committing from 16 to 21 hours per week for 10 to 12 weeks for a total of 200 hours. Please review the department descriptions and refer to the list of departments requesting interns on the application tab—not all departments will be taking interns for the spring semester.
Highlights:
- $3,000 stipend (200 hour requirement for the semester)
- Interns are assigned to a specific museum department for the duration
- Monthly speaker series featuring museum professionals from across the Museum
- Interns are eligible for course credit
Qualifications:
- Undergraduates and graduates currently enrolled in accredited academic programs are eligible.
- Applicants must have completed a minimum of two years of academic course work. Freshmen are not eligible.
- Certain positions may require graduate-level training and/or professional experience, noted in the department descriptions.
- While a demonstrated interest in art and art history is preferred, students in all majors are encouraged to apply.
- Previous museum experience is not required.
The deadline for submissions is: January 15, 2021.
