The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum offers internships to students of junior-year college level or above, recent graduates, graduate students, postgraduates, and mature professionals pursuing further experience in the arts. Internships are available within a host of different museum departments.
The objective of the internship program is to offer practical museum training experience to individuals interested in pursuing careers in the arts and museum fields. Interns gain a broad understanding of how a particular department functions within the context of a major museum as well as specific skills related to that department’s activities. Interns are assigned to a department based on academic background, professional skills, interests, and career goals. Interns participate in the ongoing work of museum departments and contribute to specific projects or portions of larger departmental initiatives.
In addition, the Museum Culture Seminar Program supplements the Internship Program by incorporating site visits to other New York arts and cultural institutions. Discussion with a broad array of arts and museum professionals, including Guggenheim staff, is facilitated. A field trip outside New York City is planned for the end of each internship period.
Our yearly internship calendar is divided into three cycles: spring, summer, and fall. Each internship cycle is approximately three months long.
Internship Periods
Spring: January–April (application deadline: November 1)
Summer: June–August (application deadline: January 30)
Fall: September–December (application deadline: June 1)
Please note: All application deadlines are postmark deadlines.
Spring and fall internships require a commitment of at least two days per week (in addition to participation in the Museum Culture Seminar program), with the number of hours depending on the preference of the department. Summer internships are full-time, either four or five days per week, in addition to participation in the Museum Culture Seminar program. All internships require a commitment of approximately three months.
Visas
International candidates are welcome and encouraged to apply. The Guggenheim Museum Internship Program is designated by the US Government as a J-1 training program, and the museum will work with accepted applicants to assist them in procuring the necessary forms for a maximum three-month non-extendable and non-transferable J-1 visa. For more information on J-1 visas, please visit the US Government website. All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English.
Housing
The Guggenheim does not provide housing. Upon request, the museum can provide accepted applicants with a list of suggested residences and dormitories in New York City.
Stipends and Awards
Although academic credit can often be arranged through interns’ own colleges and universities, internships are typically unpaid. The following stipends and awards are available:
Hilla Rebay Graduate Summer Intern
In honor of Baroness Hilla von Rebay, the Guggenheim Museum’s first director, The Hilla von Rebay Foundation generously provides funding for up to thirteen summer interns who are currently enrolled graduate students or recent graduates of a graduate-level program. Stipends are $1,000 for full-time, ten-week summer internships.
To apply, please respond to the following prompt: In your own words, briefly describe the role and responsibilities of the present-day art museum. Also, explain your interest in museum work and what you believe you can contribute to the departments you preference in your application form. Please limit your response to 500 words.
Interested candidates will be considered for available stipends following admittance to the Internship Program.
How to Apply
To apply for one of our internships, please follow the checklist of materials below. We do not require transcripts.
- Guggenheim application form
- Cover letter
- Resumé/curriculum vitae
- List of relevant coursework/modules undertaken
- Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
- Writing sample (3–5 pages only) When applying to design-related departments, candidates should instead submit a design portfolio or small visual sample of work.
Following an initial review of the applicants, a small group will be selected for in-person, Skype, or telephone interviews. Please download the application form and submit a complete application (all fields are required) via mail to:
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Internship Program
1071 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10128-0173
See more and apply here.
