[Summer 2026] Curatorial - Prewar Art Internship

Whitney Museum of American ArtNew York City, NY

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Job Description

The Whitney’s summer internship program is a full-time, paid, nine-week session primarily for undergraduate students. The program includes training, direct work experience, professional development, and a weekly speaker series. The 2026 Summer internship will be hybrid, meaning interns will work onsite at least three days per week. The program will begin on Monday, June 1, and end on Friday, July 31. Participants must be available Monday through Friday for nine consecutive weeks, five days per week. The application window for our Summer 2026 Hearst Family Internship is now open through Friday, January 16th. Please note that all candidates will be considered on a rolling basis, and as such, some opportunities may close before the deadline. The Whitney seeks a Curatorial intern for Summer 2026. To view all Internship opportunities and to learn more about The Whitney's offerings, please refer to our Internships Page.

Expected Projects & Assignments

Conducting research and providing administrative support for forthcoming exhibitions related to American art from 1900–1960
Providing research and administrative support for permanent collection stewardship, gifts and acquisitions
Conducting archival and provenance research
Assisting in preparing materials for the archives
Assisting with regular exhibition proposals, preparing presentations, and other administrative tasks that relate more broadly to the prewar department

Skills & Qualifications

Demonstrated interest in art history; knowledge of and interest in American art from 1900–1960 is preferred
Previous research experience required; archival research experience is preferred
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office
Undergraduates currently enrolled in accredited academic year programs are eligible
Applicants must have completed a minimum of one year’s worth of academic coursework; undergraduate freshmen are not eligible
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

Provided Training

Raiser's Edge
The Museum System

Outcomes

Understand how Curatorial oversees the growth, care, and display of the Museum's permanent collection of over 26,000 works of art
Assist in organizing and generating exhibitions appropriate to the institution's mission

Compensation

Interns will be paid a stipend of $6,500 for full participation.

Generous support for Hearst Summer Interns is provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role. About the Whitney: The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today. EEO Statement: The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

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