Education: Family Programs Intern

Job Description

About company

The Whitney Museum of American Art, often referred to as The Whitney, was founded in 1930 by artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. It is dedicated to housing the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The Whitney’s core mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of its time, while serving a wide variety of audiences and celebrating the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. With a steadfast commitment to artists, the Whitney has been a powerful force in supporting modern and contemporary art, continuously helping to define what is innovative and influential in American art today. The museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to non-discriminatory hiring and encouraging all qualified candidates to apply.

Job description, detailed

The Whitney’s Summer 2026 Hearst Family Internship is a comprehensive, nine-week, full-time, and paid program primarily designed for undergraduate students.

General Internship Program Details:
• Program Structure: Full-time, paid, nine-week session.
• Target Audience: Primarily undergraduate students, though graduates currently enrolled in accredited academic year programs are also eligible.
• Key Offerings: Includes training, direct work experience, professional development, and a weekly speaker series.
• Format: Hybrid, requiring interns to work onsite at least three days per week.
• Dates: The program will run from Monday, June 1, 2026, to Friday, July 31, 2026.
• Availability Requirement: Participants must be available Monday through Friday for nine consecutive weeks, five days per week.
• Application Window: Open now through Friday, January 16th. Candidates are considered on a rolling basis, meaning some opportunities may close before the stated deadline.

Specific Role: Education: Family Programs Intern

The Whitney is seeking an Education: Family Programs intern for the Summer 2026 program.

• Expected Projects & Assignments:
• Work on site 1-2 days per week, specifically on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Assist during in-person Family Programs, focusing on creating a welcoming environment for families and children at the museum.
• Prepare art materials for programs.
• Organize and manage material inventory.
• Perform administrative tasks to support programs, such as tracking statistics and creating signs and informational materials.

• Skills & Qualifications:
• Experience: Prior experience working with art materials is required.
• Interest: A strong interest in working with kids and families.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Personal Attributes: Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively on a team.
• Eligibility: Undergraduates and graduates currently enrolled in accredited academic year programs are eligible to apply.
• Academic Background: While a demonstrated interest in art and art history is preferred, students in all majors are encouraged to apply.
• Museum Experience: Previous museum experience is not required.

• Provided Training:
• Comprehensive training on art material preparation.
• Training on how to prepare and assist with museum education programming.

• Outcomes:
• The intern will become a valued member of the Family Programs team, actively assisting in running educational programs for families each week.
• They will gain hands-on experience in preparing art materials, performing administrative tasks to support programs, and facilitating programs.
• Opportunities will be provided to explore individual interests through special projects.

• Compensation:
• Interns will receive a stipend of $6,500 for full participation in the program.
• Generous support for Hearst Summer Interns is provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

Application Process:
The Whitney encourages a broad array of candidates to apply, including those new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap, looking to transition, or seeking the next step in their career. Applicants are encouraged to use their cover letter to articulate their interest in the arts and culture space and what they hope to bring to this specific role.