** to be updated periodically this semester……
Many of you have expressed interest in internships in the arts, so I thought I would start collating useful information here. One big warning before we start – choosing the right internship should be a thoughtful and strategic process, and you should take advice from as many professors and advisors as possible. Many arts internships are unpaid, and this can be a serious problem if interns fill the gaps employers cannot otherwise afford to cover with paid personnel. An internship experience should be educational, and mentored by someone who is committed to showing you the ropes through a range of projects (not just photocopying, and never getting the coffee!). Talking over your internship ideas before and during the application process with those already in the field, or teachers committed to your academic progress, will ensure that you get the best internship fit possible.
What’s on offer?
The Guggenheim Museum Internship Program has a list of departmental descriptions that highlight the different roles one can apply for in a non-profit museum setting. Use this to guide your interests, and your cover letter, when applying to any museum internship. Most museums will have similar departments (although the smaller the museum, the more consolidated the departments).
The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) has a comprehensive arts jobs page that offers both internships and paid positions. They’re mostly, although not exclusively, non-profit opportunities. Columbia University also updates an arts internships page, and ArtsJobs and Idealist.org posts wider non-profit jobs and internship opportunities.
You might also consider internships with for-profit institutions – auction houses like Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips de Pury, commercial galleries in Chelsea (see NYFA for many current internship postings), or corporate collections and art advisory services.
Willing to travel? Here’s a list of arts internships by state, including New York.
Tips for your search
Start early and work hard – arts internships, like in many other fields, are extremely competitive. Have a plan of attack worked out. Cast your net wide to maximize the chances of securing an internship.
If you don’t immediately see an internship program on the website of the institution or company you love, email their HR department requesting details of their internship offerings. This is especially true for for-profit institutions. You need to dig to find a contact, and then request internship information. Persistently. Try also to find a contact from professors, former interns, or current staff who you know and can approach.
Work as far in advance as you can – some deadlines are 6 months ahead of the internship start date!
Find others who are applying for internships and swap information – it’s good to have others going through the same process, and you learn and grow from being collegial with your peers.
Be (politely) persistent. Always follow up your initial email with another inquiry if you don’t hear back after your first.
Make sure your cover letter and resume are sparkling (have at least one other person read them over). Make sure your cover letter is tailored to each institution you apply to. It’s time consuming, but important.
Highlighted Programs
The Morgan Library CUNY Paid Internships
Compensation: $10.00 / hour
Hours: 10–15 per week
Days: 2–3 days per week (schedule negotiable)
Arts & Business Council of New York
Each summer, the Arts & Business Council of New York matches select undergraduate students with arts organizations who need their help and with corporate mentors who can guide their personal and professional growth.The Multicultural Arts Management Internship program is designed to diversify the field of arts management and thus seeks candidates from traditionally under-represented backgrounds in the field, e.g. individuals of African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latina/o, or Native American descent. In its review of candidates, ABC/NY will give preference to these applicants.
ArtsIntern Paid Summer Internships
The ARTS Intern program places college undergraduates from diverse cultural backgrounds in paid summer internships at New York City museums. Eligible applicants must show a financial need and must either be New York City residents, or be enrolled in a college or university within the five boroughs of New York City. Interns work alongside museum professionals involved in all facets of the institutions’ activities. Participation in ARTS Intern can impact a student’s career path in profound ways. In order to be eligible, students must be able to document an EFC or $7,000 or less on their FAFSA forms.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Paid Internships
Highly competitive SUMMER placements for college juniors and seniors. Full time: five days, thirty-five hours per week. Compensation: approximately $3,250 ($9.29/hour, less applicable taxes and deductions).
Eligibility varies according to internship. Several opportunities are geared to undergraduates graduating in May 2012. The majority of slots are for currently enrolled graduate students of all levels. Summer interns are in residence at the Gallery from June 11 to August 10, 2012. Interns receive a stipend of approximately $4,500 that is subject to all applicable taxes.
The Internship Program offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to investigate and participate in the operations of the nation’s leading nonprofit for advancing the arts in America. Internship positions are available on a part-time basis for the winter/spring and fall terms and on a full-time basis for summer. Fall and winter/spring interns will receive a $500 stipend and summer interns all receive a $1,000 stipend.
Brooklyn Museum Intern Educators
Each year, the Museum offers ten-month paid internships (September through June) for college graduates interested in teaching diverse audiences. Intern Educators receive intensive training in museum-education philosophy and practice from Museum staff members who monitor, observe, and guide their professional development. Prior experience in a museum education setting is usually required.
Bronx Museum Internships (via ArtsIntern)
Interns gain firsthand experience of a museum’s inner workings. They are primarily college juniors and seniors, though graduate-level students will also be considered if appropriate projects arise. Under the supervision of a department head, interns assist in regular departmental activities ranging from research to clerical tasks. For more information about the internship and for eligibility requirements please visit http://www.artsintern.org or contact the Museum’s HR Department about your inquiry.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts
FCA offers semester-long and summer internships to undergraduate and graduate students. Given the small size of the FCA staff, interns are given meaningful projects that provide an in-depth exposure to a nonprofit arts organization. Full-time internships are paid: as compensation, FCA will offer the intern a choice of a gift of a work of art from its collection, valued up to $1,500, or a cash stipend of $1,000. Applicants should email a resumé and cover letter stating their availability per the internship cycle deadlines to info@contemporary-arts.org.
The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, NY
Peter A. Krueger Summer Internships. These internships, which honor the memory of Peter A. Krueger, who was an intern at Cooper-Hewitt, provide a stipend of $2,500 for the 10-week period. Housing is not provided. Approximately 10 Krueger Internships are available each summer. These internships run as a 10-week program beginning the second Monday of June. Applications deadline: postmark March 1, 2012. Studio in a School’s ARTS Intern program. Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum is also a participating museum in Studio in a School’s ARTS Intern program. The ARTS Intern program places college undergraduates from diverse cultural backgrounds in paid summer internships at New York City museums. Eligible applicants must show a financial need and must either be New York City residents, or be enrolled in a college or university within the five boroughs of New York City.
Other Arts Internships
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NY
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice
The Whitney Museum of American Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
MoMA (Museum of Modern Art, NY)
Cover Letter and Resume Templates (to be added)
Art Market at Baruch College 