The Whitney Museum of American Art offers both academic year and summer internship programs for university students. Internships are geared toward college juniors, seniors, and graduate students (no freshmen) who gain first-hand experience about how a museum functions. Under the supervision of a department head or curator, interns will assist with regular departmental activities that range from research and special projects to routine administrative and clerical tasks.
Internships are an opportunity for students to learn about a specific area within a prestigious mid-sized cultural institution. Academic year interns are required to commit to a minimum of 2–3 days per week for the entire semester. There is no stipend, but interns are eligible for regular employee discounts at the Museum restaurant and store as well as invitations to exhibition openings and free admission to most New York City museums.
Academic Internships for undergraduate and graduate students are by semester or full year. To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to hr@whitney.org stating the departments you are interested in working in, the skills you bring, and how you hope to contribute to the department.
Two ARTS Intern opportunities are available for the summer: June 3–August 2, 2013. For consideration, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of ARTS Intern, and all materials must be received by March 29, 2013. There is no separate application, and incomplete applications will not be considered. All materials should be compiled by you, mailed together in one package, and include the following:
The ARTS Intern working with Access and Community Programs will conduct and compile research on autism spectrum disorders and the strategies utilised for making museum programs more accessible to individuals and families affected by autism. The project will culminate with a complete proposal for an adapted program serving this audience at the Whitney Museum. The student will benefit by gaining experience with educational programming in an art museum, as well as accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities via opportunities for research, observation, and synthesis. The Museum will benefit by moving closer to the goal of reaching families affected by autism through specialized programming founded on extensive research into audience needs and best practices in the field.
Qualifications: Candidates for this position should have strong research, writing, and communication skills. They should be detail-oriented, organized, and self-motivated. Individuals with personal, academic, or professional experience with autism spectrum disorders are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates who meet all eligibility requirements should submit all parts of their applications by email to Danielle Linzer, Manager of Access and Community Programs, at danielle_linzer@whitney.org.
The ARTS Intern will complete a visitor study project focused specifically on kindergarten to twelfth-grade (K–12) students who have participated in various school programs offered by the Whitney Museum. Through analysis and comparison of multi-year school group data, the intern will identify patterns and trends related but not limited to age-group of students and types of schools. The intern will also consider how these patterns and trends might correlate to exhibitions on view at the Museum and curriculum taught in the classroom. At the end of the internship, the intern will submit a visitor study report and a proposal for future school outreach efforts.
Additionally, the intern will embark on two smaller scale projects:
1. Research on K–12 school & educator programs and family programs offered by arts and cultural organizations in New York City.
2. Gather resources and assist with Connecting Collections, a national summer institute for educators of grades 3–12. This event is co-hosted with the Museum of Modern Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Qualifications: The intern will need good organizational and communication skills, as well strong research and writing skills. He/she should also possess a positive attitude and a strong desire to learn. The intern should also be familiar with computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Interested candidates who meet all eligibility requirements should submit all parts of their applications by email to Ai Wee Seow, Coordinator of School & Educator Programs, at aiwee_seow@whitney.org.
