Grants, Internships, and Resources
Department of Art Sponsored Internships: Summer 2026
The UVA Department of Art is excited to be sponsoring a limited number of paid internship positions in Summer 2026! Internship applications are open to all rising 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year studio and art history undergraduate majors. Each internship includes a total stipend of $3500 for a total of 240 hours (length and hours per week vary). Selected interns will be required to attend an introductory meeting on April 30 hosted by the Department of Art. Internships typically run in June and July depending on the internship location, and will conclude with short final presentations on August 7.
To Apply: Students will submit applications directly to the organizations hosting internships. Applications will typically include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references, and will be due by April 3, 2026. All applicants will be notified of decisions by April 24th.
Your cover letter should address the following:
- Why are you interested in interning at the specific locations you have selected?
- Please share any experience, skills, or interests that may be relevant to this internship.
Art Studio - Contemporary Sculpture & Installation
Mentor: LaRissa Rogers
LaRissa Rogers is seeking a motivated summer intern to join her studio, supporting the research, fabrication, and installation of three upcoming projects:
- A three-person show functioning as an early-career retrospective at the Olin Galleries at Roanoke College
- LaRissa’s debut solo exhibition with Super Dakota in Brussels
- A large-scale public sculpture commission, Subterranean Convergences, with Clockshop in Los Angeles
Internship Overview:
This internship provides hands-on experience in contemporary sculpture and installation, offering insight into how a studio practice scales across institutional, international, and public art contexts while maintaining conceptual and material rigor.
Responsibilities include:
- Assisting with object casting and creation of sculptures in ceramic, metal, wood, and other media
- Mold-making and fabrication support
- Studio organization and documentation
- Packing, inventory preparation, and exhibition prep
- Helping facilitate casting workshops
- Liaising with institutional collaborators and museums
- Assisting with performance preparation
- Research support related to installation and site considerations
Candidate Profile:
Ideal candidates are:
- Have prior experience in sculpture or related studio practice
- Reliable, detail-oriented, efficient, and able to work independently with instruction
- Intellectually curious about contemporary sculpture and installation practices
- Eager to learn and contribute meaningfully to a collaborative studio environment
Duration: Summer 2026 (exact dates flexible)
Application Instructions:
Submit a resume, a brief statement of interest, and (if available) images of recent work or projects.
Fralin Museum of Art (UVA)
UVA Art Department Summer Internship @ The Fralin
The Fralin and UVA Art Department Collections/Curatorial internship is intended to support and develop a student’s interest in collections management and curatorial research. The intern will work collaboratively with Collections and Curatorial Departments to update factual and descriptive information about collection objects; conduct original research on collection objects; and produce writing about collection objects in new, accessible ways. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational and writing skills, an eye for detail, and an interest in collections and curatorial work.
Duties
The intern will:
- Update keywords and other informational categories for collections objects in EmbARK (the museum’s collections management system)
- Conduct research on objects in the collection that have little to no information, and offer recommendations to the Curatorial Department on next steps
- Help process and organize curatorial files
- Learn how to and produce plain descriptions of collections objects to make the collection more accessible
- Assist Curatorial and Collections Departments with various other tasks
- Attend weekly check-in meetings with Fralin Curatorial and/or Collections staff
- Attend an in-person meet-and-greet hosted by the UVA Department of Art on May 2nd
- Attend a mid-internship field trip with interns from other Charlottesvile-based arts organizations on July 11th
- Develop a 5-8 minute final internship presentation to be presented to select Art Department faculty and staff on August 1st
- Complete a short survey created by the Department of Art at the end of the summer
- Submit a photograph and caption to be posted on the Department of Art’s Instagram account over the summer
Requirements
A competitive applicant must:
- Be a rising 2nd, 3rd, 4th Year Studio or Art History declared undergraduate Major at UVA
- Have strong research skills and an eye for detail
- Be reliable, organized, and communicative
- Be available to work a total of 240 hours during the summer (exact schedule TBD)
- Be available to work both on Central Grounds and at the museum’s offsite storage facility near North Grounds (accessible by UVA bus); work will be split between the two locations
Application Process
Applicants will submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information from two references by March 20th. In the cover letter, applicants should state their reasons for applying and what skills they would like to develop through the position. Please include relevant research and writing experience. Applications should be submitted by email to eab3w@virginia.edu. Applicants will be notified of decisions by April 18th. The selected intern will receive a stipend of $3,500.
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection (UVA)
The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia is the largest public collection of Indigenous Australian art outside of Australia. The selected applicant for the summer Collections Management internship at Kluge-Ruhe will report to the museum’s Senior Collections Manager and Registrar and will work directly with the museum’s permanent collection. The chosen candidate will receive the proper training necessary to handle, house, document and assess the condition of various media. The summer Collections Management intern at Kluge-Ruhe will help inventory the permanent collection and process new acquisitions. Other tasks related to the project may include data entry, research, and writing.
Applications are open to rising 2nd, 3rd, 4th Year Studio or Art History declared undergraduate majors at UVA. The summer internship normally begins in June/July and is typically 8 weeks and approximately 30 hours per week (240 hours total), though start dates, number of weeks and hours per week are negotiable so long as 240 hours are completed between May 19 and August 15, 2026.
Other requirements:
- Attend an in-person meet and greet hosted by the UVA Department of Art on April 30, 2026
- Attend a mid-internship field trip with interns from other Charlottesvile-based arts organizations on July 10th
- Develop a 5-8 minute final internship presentation to be presented to select Art Department faculty and staff on August 7th
- Complete a short survey created by the Department of Art
- Submit a photograph and caption to be posted on the Department of Art’s Instagram account.
Interested students should send any questions and application materials, including a cover letter, CV and contact information for two references (at least one from a UVA faculty member) to anw9s@virginia.edu by April 3, 2026. Applicants will be notified of decisions by April 24, 2026. The selected candidate will receive a stipend of $3600 (half paid by May 31st and half by June 30th)
Lemonade Stand/Ruffin Gallery (UVA Department of Art)
The UVA Department of Art is now accepting applications for a Summer 2026 Digital Humanities Intern who will work with both “The Lemonade Stand” 3D lab and Ruffin Gallery.
The Lemonade Stand is the Department of Art’s 3D lab supporting Studio and Art history coursework and faculty research. It offers resin and PLA printing as well as laser scanning, photogrammetry, and to-spec modeling services. During the 3D lab portion of this internship, the chosen candidate will report to the Lab Manager and will receive a broad introduction to 3D imaging for academic and museum settings. They will receive introductory training in several types of 3D modeling software and image acquisition tools as well as training on several types of 3D printers. By the end of the four-week period, the intern will be able to develop a concept into a completed and assembled print. During this time they will also visit several other local maker spaces and laboratories to gain an understanding of how digital humanities is applied across specialties.
Ruffin Gallery is the Department of Art’s contemporary art gallery. During the gallery portion of this internship, the chosen candidate will report to the Ruffin Gallery Program Manager. This internship will be focused on two areas: the creation of an archive of Ruffin Gallery exhibitions, and preparing for two group exhibitions scheduled for Fall 2026. The intern will assist in organizing existing exhibition ephemera and documentation, conducting research to fill gaps, and sharing materials with the public through the gallery’s website and social media. They will also assist with tasks related to future exhibition research, planning, and marketing. Please note that Ruffin Gallery is closed between mid-June and late August and there will not be any exhibitions open during the internship period. Although the intern will not be installing exhibitions or experiencing any public events in the gallery, the internship may lead to future opportunities to assist with those types of work during the academic year.
The Department of Art intern will spend 4 consecutive weeks with The Lemonade Stand 3D Lab and 4 consecutive weeks with Ruffin Gallery for a total of 8 weeks (30 hours per week). The intern will be required to work in-person in Ruffin Hall. The internship normally begins in June, but start dates, number of weeks and hours per week are negotiable so long as 240 hours are completed.
Requirements:
- Applicant must be a rising 2nd, 3rd, 4th Year Studio or Art History declared undergraduate Major at UVA.
- Attend an in-person meet and greet hosted by the UVA Department of Art
- Attend a mid-internship field trip with interns from other Charlottesville-based arts organizations
- Develop a 5-8 minute final internship presentation to be presented to select Art Department faculty and staff
- Complete a short survey created by the Department of Art after the completion of your internship
- Submit a photograph and caption to be posted on the Department of Art’s Instagram account
We are looking to work with an intern who has these qualities:
- Good organizational habits and attention to detail with both physical and digital materials
- Great at managing your own schedule, responding to emails in a timely manner, and taking the initiative to problem solve effectively including by asking for help
- A team player who loves to brainstorm new ideas and create a supportive working environment
- Curiosity, humor and excitement about learning
Application Process
Applicants will submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information from two references by April 3. In the cover letter, applicants should state their reasons for applying and what skills they would like to develop through the position. Please share any experience, skills, or interests that may be relevant to this internship. Applications should be submitted by email to vav6n@virginia.edu. Applicants will be notified of decisions by April 24th. The selected intern will receive a stipend of $3,500.
Les Yeux du Monde (LYDM)
Founded in 1995, Les Yeux du Monde (LYDM) is a destination for the best in modern and contemporary art. Located on a mountaintop just fifteen minutes from downtown Charlottesville, LYDM occupies a corten steel and glass block contemporary structure designed by celebrated architect W.G. Clark. The gallery represents a roster of important regional, national and international contemporary artists and mounts a new exhibition every 5-6 weeks.
The LYDM summer internship opportunity offers one student a unique, hands-on experience at an established contemporary art gallery. The LYDM intern will gain valuable experience in gallery operations, inventory management, event orchestration, collector cultivation, artist communications, and marketing. This intern will also glean meaningful insight into the business model of a for-profit gallery.
Requirements
LYDM is looking for applicants with excellent verbal and written communication skills, a passion for visual art, great attention to detail, and a desire to learn. Applicants must also be able to drive to and from the gallery. Photography and/or graphic design skills are beneficial for certain projects but not mandatory. To apply to this position, email a resume and cover letter to hagan@lydmgallery.com.
New City Arts
About New City Arts:
New City Arts envisions the Charlottesville area as a place where a thriving group of local artists unsettles and transforms our community to work toward a more just, beautiful future. Annually, New City Arts brings together artists and community members to spark connection, inquiry, and social transformation through a portfolio of 10 programs, including a robust exhibition program at our low-commission gallery. We resource artists to make and share their work and offer programs that welcome diverse audiences to have meaningful encounters with art. Some of our programs include Welcome Gallery, the Research Residency, New City Artist Exchange, Charlottesville SOUP, and the New City Arts Fellowship.
Short Internship Description:
The New City Arts internship provides students with the opportunity to support the mission of a local, non-profit arts organization by helping to facilitate community arts participation through Welcome Gallery and NCAI program support.
Over the course of the internship, students are given first-hand experience with gallery and arts program implementation. Interns work directly with NCAI staff to gain a greater understanding of Arts Administration—in the Charlottesville community and beyond—and are involved in exhibition planning, event staffing, gallery sitting, and communications with local artists. An internship with New City Arts will allow the student to engage more deeply within the Arts Administration field; interact with a wide variety of community members that may include local artists, community partners, and arts patrons; and provide them with experience in the operations of a small, community arts non-profit.
Interns work alongside a highly collaborative team of three staff members and will be guided by Welcome Gallery Manager, Tori Cherry. NCAI respects student schedules and will work with the Program Intern to determine an internship schedule that works well for the student and organization.
Call for Interns:
The 2026 New City Arts (NCA) Summer internship provides students with the opportunity to support the mission of a local, non-profit arts organization by helping to facilitate community arts participation through Welcome Gallery and NCA program support. Over the course of the internship, students are given first-hand experience with gallery and arts program implementation. Interns work directly with NCA staff to gain a greater understanding of Arts Administration—in the Charlottesville community and beyond—and are involved in exhibition planning, event staffing, gallery sitting, and communications with local artists. Some evening and weekend availability is required on an event-by-event basis as well as for First Friday exhibition openings on the first Friday of each month.
Outside of the gallery, we encourage our interns to connect with the Charlottesville arts community through tickets to partner events, community performances, studio visits, and community exhibitions. An internship with New City Arts allows a student to engage deeply with the Arts Administration field; interact with a wide variety of community members that may include local artists, community partners, and gallery visitors; and provide them with experience in the operations of a small, community arts non-profit. Interns will work alongside a highly collaborative team of three staff members and will be guided by Welcome Gallery Manager, Tori Cherry.
We respect student schedules and will work with the Program Intern to determine a schedule that works well for the student and the organization. Thanks to support from UVA’s Department of Art, we are able to provide interns with a $3,600 stipend (issued in two installments at the start and end of the internship). Intern responsibilities include gallery-sitting and arts event support during the academic year. Interns will also be required to give a short public presentation to UVA Art Department and New City Arts Staff at the end of their internship. The program will run for a 10-week period with interns working a maximum of 24 hours/week. Please note that this internship position is in-person and located in Charlottesville, VA, so applicants should be able to make this commute frequently for gallery staffing and events throughout the week. Applicants should note that the period overlaps with a break in our exhibition season and therefore will likely include at least one week of remote work. Review key internship dates and learn how to apply below:
Key Dates
Applications due April 3, 2026 by 11:59PM
Internship interviews in mid-April
Internship Duration: May 29 - August 7, 2026 (10 weeks)
Weekly Commitment: maximum 24 hrs/week
Scottsville Museum
Scottsville, Virginia
One internship
Museum Collections Inventory Project
Terms: The Department of Art is partnering with the Scottsville Museum in hosting an undergraduate Art History or Studio major with an interest in history and material culture, who has computer skills and a passion for details and organization. Personal transportation is required, as most of the project involves work at the Scottsville Museum and within the community. There will also be some research which may be done via home computer or at the University of Virginia library. The internship will begin in late May and continue through Sunday, August 9th, including a formal project presentation to the museum board on Saturday, August 1st at 9:30am. This internship is 240 hours with a stipend of $3600 (paid in May and June).
Goals: The Scottsville Museum is a small-town museum with a limited budget run by volunteers. The museum is seeking to improve the accessibility of our research materials. In an effort to do so, we are updating the inventory of our collections. This hands-on project will include instructions on how to document and archivally store objects. Our intern will deepen their historical research skills, gain hands-on experience working with a wide array of objects and archives, and play a significant role in telling our town or area’s stories.
Outcome: With the guidance of several members of the Museum Board, the intern will identify and sort objects within our collection, work with volunteers to create an inventory, and propose future research and exhibition themes for the museum board to consider. In addition, the intern(s) will write a four- to five-page newsletter article describing the summer’s work and give a brief report and proposal to the Scottsville Museum Board of Directors at the August board meeting.
About: The Scottsville Museum and Historic Landmarks Foundation is a nonprofit, incorporated organization which seeks to preserve for the public benefit the historical, natural, and artistic heritage of the Scottsville community and surrounding areas of southern Albemarle County. It is housed in a former Disciples of Christ Church, built in 1846, and its adjacent parsonage, the Barclay House. The latter building has been renovated to create research and meeting space, and to house technical systems, archives, library, and storage space. The Museum is on Main Street in downtown Scottsville. It displays permanent and rotating exhibits relating to the town and its history. It is open to the public on weekends from April to October, and by appointment at other times. Should a prospective intern be interested in visiting the Museum, a private tour can be arranged by contacting Laura Mellusi at lk9a@virginia.edu.
UVA Library Preservation Internship
Preservation Services, within UVA Library’s Edgar Shannon Library, is providing an internship for a rising 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year Studio or Art History declared undergraduate major who is interested in the conservation/preservation of cultural heritage. The opportunity will be presented as a 6 or 8-week long internship offered between May 25-July 2026, with precise dates to be determined when the intern is selected. The intern will learn about the tools, techniques, and ethical considerations of library and archives conservation, and they will work primarily with Sue Donovan, the Conservator for Special Collections. The internship will be structured around treatment and housing of both circulating and special collections items.
The intern will be expected to participate in the following projects:
- Database work: input information regarding historical conservation treatments into a spreadsheet.
- Complete training on the lab’s XRF analytical device and conduct testing on books suspected to contain arsenic in the cloth.
- Mend damaged paper bindings from the Ma Kiam Library of Chinese classic works.
- Create custom housings for special collections as well as circulating books.
- Work on Capstone project: Mend and stabilize an important ledger from the Wingfield papers that provides invaluable historical information about African Americans in the 1900s in Albemarle County.
- Other projects as needed by the department.
At the end of the internship, the intern is expected to write a blog post about their capstone project, and they will create a 5-8 minute presentation for the UVA Department of Art on August 7.
Qualifications:
Preservation Services is looking for interns who can demonstrate:
- Time management skills, reliability, courteousness, and teamwork
- An interest in conservation and preservation
- Ability to focus on tasks that require precise handskills and mental focus
- Ability to communicate effectively about their interests and projects in both verbal and written forms
- A strong work ethic and availability to work 240 hours at Shannon Library during the internship period
Application Process:
Please submit a CV, contact information for two references, a cover letter discussing how you meet the qualifications listed above and how the internship will help you meet your own goals, and a maximum of three images of recent projects (knitting, painting, drawing, 3-D objects, etc.) that showcase your handskills by April 3rd, 2026. Please submit all application material to Sue Donovan at suedonovan@virginia.edu. Applicants will be notified of decisions by April 24.
Museum/Gallery internships in the surrounding area:
University of Virginia School of Law
ART COLLECTION ASSISTANT
The School of Law seeks an advanced undergraduate student or a graduate student to assist with the management and cataloguing of its growing and diverse art collection. The Law School has recently acquired works of 20th and 21st-century art in a variety of mediums. This student will enter all new pieces into the Law School’s art database and maintain the accuracy of those records as artwork is designated for display or storage. As a second phase of work, the student will work with the Law School’s Art Committee to identify select notable pieces for further description and draft short wall text write-ups for those pieces. This is a great opportunity for a student looking to expand their knowledge and experience in art history, art handling, and/or exhibition work. This posting is for 10 hours per week and pays $20/hour. Work can start immediately and can run through summer 2025.
Responsibilities:
- Data entry (main responsibility): create and maintain accurate inventory records in the Law School’s art database for newly acquired artwork.
- Art Handling: Move, store, and retrieve artwork to assist with storage and display (actual installation of art for display will be handled by Facilities Management and/or art professionals)
- Exhibition work: contribute creative ideas for sharing information about the Law School art collection with the community; identify a selection of pieces for further research and description; draft short write-ups of selected pieces to be printed on wall placards or posted on a dedicated website.
Qualifications
- A self-starter; ability to work independently; good organizational skills.
- Interest or experience with art.
- Basic skills in data entry and database use.
- Strong writing skills, especially writing text for exhibits, museums, galleries, or other public audiences.
To apply, please send resume and a short description of interest and experience (1-2 paragraphs) to Randi Flaherty at rflaherty@law.virginia.edu.
Posted March 4, 2025
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Since 1964 the National Gallery of Art has offered professional museum training to candidates from all backgrounds through a variety of internship programs. Nine-week virtual summer internships provide opportunities to work on projects directed by a Gallery curator or department head. Biweekly museum seminars introduce interns to the broad spectrum of museum work, and to Gallery staff, departments, programs, and functions. Visit their website for more information: Employment Opportunities | National Gallery of Art
Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Washington, D.C.
The Smithsonian Museum of American Art offers summer internships to undergraduates as an introduction to museum work in the following areas: Curatorial, Development, Educational Programs, Exhibitions, External Affairs (including Public Programs and Special Events), Media and Technology, Publications, Registration, in the Research and Scholar Center, as well as the The Smithsonian American Museum and National Portrait Gallery Library. Visit their website for more information: https://library.si.edu/internships-and-fellowships
Hirshhorn, Washington, D.C.
The Hirshhorn is a leading voice for contemporary art and culture and provides a national platform for the art and artists of our time. The museum offers internships in Art and Programs (Curatorial and Gallery Guides), Exhibition and Design, Collection Management (Photography, Conservation, Registration), and External Affairs (Communications and Media Relations, Web, Digital, and Media, Development, Administration and Finance, and Library). Visit their website for more information: https://hirshhorn.si.edu/explore/internships/
Michelle Gagliano Studios, Scottsville, VA
Michelle Gagliano Studios is the studio for painter Michelle Gagliano located in Central Virginia. For more information: https://www.michellegagliano.com/about
Scottsville Museum, Scottsville, VA
The Scottsville Museum and Historic Landmarks Foundation is a nonprofit, incorporated organization which seeks to preserve for the public benefit the historical, natural, and artistic heritage of the Scottsville community of southern Albemarle County. Visit their website to learn more about opportunities: https://smuseum.avenue.org/
Danville Museum of Fine Art and History, Danville, VA
The DMFAH offers a variety of internship positions including Visiting Services Associate, Education Interpreters & Curriculum Builders, Museum Collections Assistants, and Museum Administrative Assistant Intern. For more information, visit their website: https://danvillemuseum.org/careers/
Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian, Suitland, MD
The Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute offers fellowship and internship opportunities involving a variety of artifact analysis, preservation, and conservation treatment specialties. MCI's commitment is to enhance the experience of the fellow or intern, providing specialized technical and scientific training. These internships focus on Conservation of Art and Historic Works and Analytical Studies. For more information, visit their website: Fellowships and Internships | Museum Conservation Institute
Smithsonian Internships
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 19 museums and the National Zoo—shaping the future by preserving our heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world.They offer a variety of internships each year in a variety of locations. For more information about their current internship listings, visit their website: Fellowships and Internships | Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.
Internships at the National Museum of African Art are mentor-based experiential learning opportunities offered to students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs and to individuals interested in exploring museum professions. Internship opportunities are available in the following departments: Administration, Conservation, Curatorial, Development, Education, Exhibitions, Photographic Archives, Public Affairs, and Registration. Visit their website for more information: https://africa.si.edu/
Archives of American Art, Washington, D.C.
The Archives of American Art offers internships year-round to students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs who wish to learn and gain professional experience in various fields including Archival Science, Audiovisual Archives, Information Management, Museum Studies, Development/External Affairs, Curatorial, Publications, and User Experience. For more information about their current internship offerings, visit their website: https://www.aaa.si.edu/about/internship-fellowship-and-volunteer-opportunities
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, D.C.
The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Smithsonian’s national museum of Asian art, are located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Committed to preserving, exhibiting and interpreting exemplary works of art, the Freer and Sackler address broad questions about culture, identity and the contemporary world. For more information about their current internship offerings, visit their website: https://asia.si.edu/research/fellowships-internships/
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, Washington, D.C.
The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Internships will provide students in Library, Archival, Information Science and related disciplines a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with expert Libraries and Archives staff and other Smithsonian staff to acquire the latest skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed for today’s information and cultural heritage workplace. Visit their website for more information: Interns/Fellows/Volunteers | Smithsonian Institution Archives
Contact: Riccardo Ferrante, Internship Coordinator, ferranter@si.edu
The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C.
The Phillips Collection's paid internship program involves in-depth first-hand experience and mentorship, as well as the opportunity to build a network of professional contacts. Interns gain professional experience in a museum setting, exposure to arts and cultural events, and the chance to work alongside museum staff. Museum departments typically accepting interns are: Academic Affairs, Curatorial, Education and Community Engagement, Marketing and Communications, Public Programs, and Development and Membership. For more information about their internship program, visit their website: https://www.phillipscollection.org/paid-internships
Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA
The Chrysler Museum of Art offers both paid and unpaid internships for students across their departments and initiatives. For more information about their current offerings, visit their website: https://chrysler.org/museum-summer-internships/
Contact: Allison Taylor, Director of Education, ataylor@chrysler.org
Virginia Film Festival
Each August, a group of students come together at the Virginia Film Festival (VFF) office. United by an interest in films and the film industry, each VFF intern plays a key role in the coming Festival, supporting a small full-time and seasonal staff in areas including production, programming, marketing and promotions, publicity and copywriting, community outreach, development, and special projects.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has offered students the opportunity to intern with the staff since 1940. Interns work under the guidance of museum staff and participate in the ongoing work of the department. Internships acquaint students with the challenges and rewards of planning and implementing a variety of projects, programs, and services and introduce them to specific areas of the museum profession.
The museum currently offers academic year and summer internships to qualified undergraduate and graduate students interested in gaining practical museum experience and who have a strong interest in a museum career. The candidate’s relevant study or experience will determine placement. First-choice placement will be made when possible, but candidates should also indicate a second and third department/office placement preference. Museum staff review application materials and finalists are contacted for interviews.
Historical Preservation & Archival internships in Charlottesville and the surrounding area
UVA President’s Commission on the University in the Age of Segregation, Charlottesville, VA
The President’s Commission on the University in the Age of Segregation will explore and report on UVA’s historical relationship with the era of segregation, especially as it connects to the Charlottesville/Albemarle community. It is co-directed by Andrea Douglas, Executive Director of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, and Kirt von Daacke, Professor (History) and Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Sciences. The intern will work with the President’s Commission on the University in the Age of Segregation on the history of the University of Virginia, 1865-1965. This will involve Archival Research, Document Photographing, and professional transcription/editing of historical documents. Intern should demonstrate strong organizational and analytic skills, ability to work independently, and write clearly. For more information, visit the Institute for Public History website: https://publichistory.as.virginia.edu/list-internships
UVA Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library holds more than 16 million objects including manuscripts, archival records, rare books, maps, broadsides, photographs, audio and video recordings and more. Collections are particularly strong in American and British literature, the history of Virginia and the southeastern United States, the history and archives of the University of Virginia, sporting books and manuscripts, World War I, bibliography and book arts (including fine press books, pop-up books, artists’ book, and typography). Visit their website for more information: https://small.library.virginia.edu/
Contact: Rhiannon O'Coin, Senior Academic Recruiter, rmo2r@virginia.edu
UVA Arthur J. Morris Law Library Law Library: Special Collections and Archives, Charlottesville, VA
The Arthur J. Morris Law Library Special Collections preserves and provides access to a diverse archive of legal history materials and the records of the UVA Law School. Our collections include rare books, manuscripts, archival records and publications, faculty writing, and photographs. The department aims to meet the research needs of the Law School faculty, administrators, students, and alumni. Their internship offerings including Rare Book Shelf Reading and Landscape History of North Grounds. For more information about the the Arthur J. Morris Law Library at UVA, visit their website: https://archives.law.virginia.edu/.
UVA Nau Center for Civil War History, Fredericksburg, VA
The National Park Service unit headquartered in Fredericksburg encompasses four major Civil War battlefields, cemeteries containing soldiers from the United States and the Confederacy, monuments from the commemorative era, and historic structures dating from the 18th through the 19th century. The site interprets a wide range of events, including the battles of Fredericksburg (1862) Chancellorsville (1863), the Wilderness (1864), and Spotsylvania (1864); the experience of black and white refugees; the trauma of civilians caught in the path of war; and postwar activities that recalled and interpreted the conflict. For more information, visit their website: https://www.nps.gov/frsp/getinvolved/supportyourpark/intern.htm
Nau Civil War Center Digital Research, Charlottesville, VA
Dr. Caroline Janney’s study of demobilization of the Confederate army in Virginia began at Purdue University. Her extensive database of thousands of Confederate parolees now resides at UVA and is being readied for digital publication. Our studies of "UVA Unionists" and "Black Virginians in Blue" began in 2015 as a way to tell another side of our local community's Civil War story, which in the past often has been dominated by the Confederate "Lost Cause" narrative. Very little is known about what black men from central Virginia did during the conflict and we hope to uncover a larger story tracing their lives from the antebellum period, to the war, to Reconstruction and the end of the century. Similarly, UVA students who fought for the Union were left out of the university's Civil War story. The intern will on digital research projects related to under the Nau Center's digital historian. For more information about the project, visit their website: https://naucenter.as.virginia.edu/digital-projects
Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Richmond, Virginia
The Virginia Museum of History and Culture (formerly Virginia Historical Society) maintains a strong commitment to educational outreach, exhibitions, and other programming, but is perhaps best known for its research library and collections. Those collections include manuscripts (personal and family papers, business and organizational records), printed materials and rare books, and museum artifacts. A commitment to preservation of and access to its richest resources has led to an initiative to process these materials. Visit their website to see the current internship offerings: https://www.virginiahistory.org/
One Shared Story, Charlottesville and Louisa County, VA
One Shared Story works in Central Virginia to uncover documents of hidden history and make them publicly accessible. Their mission is to expand what we know about the past so we can better understand the present and work together to create compassionate inclusive communities for the future. To that end, they combine archival and genealogical research with digital mapping technologies to create publicly accessible databases devoted to African American history in Central Virginia. To learn more about the project, visit their website: https://onesharedstory.org/
Scottsville Center for Arts and the Natural Environment, Scottsville, VA
For more information about the Scottsville Center for Arts and the Natural Environment and opportunities, visit their website: https://svilleartsandnature.org/
UVA Blandy Experimental Farm, Boyce, VA
In the early 1800s, the Tuley family established a plantation known as “The Tuleyries” and profited from the forced labor of Black enslaved peoples until the Civil War. In 1903, Graham Blandy, who made his fortune as a stockbroker in New York, purchased the Tuleyries property. In 1926, upon the death of Graham Blandy, 700 acres of Blandy’s property was bequeathed to UVA and was named “Blandy Experimental Farm”. Today, Blandy Experimental Farm is a vital field station for UVA, with two primary missions – environmental research and environmental education. The UVA Blandy Experimental Farm offers internships in Historical Archive Creation. For more information, visit their website: https://blandy.virginia.edu/
Library of Congress
The Preservation Science Internship is hosted by the Preservation Research and Testing Division (PRTD) of the Preservation Directorate at the Library of Congress. PRTD is responsible for research, analytical studies, and quality control projects pertaining to library collections, preservation materials, and collection environments. Interns work with preservation scientists, other preservation specialists, and may even have the opportunity to collaborate with other interns. For more information, visit their website: https://www.loc.gov/preservation/outreach/intern/int_science.html
Hispanic Access Foundation’s MANO Project
Enriching internship experiences nationwide for Latinx college students and upcoming professionals who are passionate about:
- Museum Studies
- Art/Art History/Art Management/Fine Art
- History
- Sociology/Anthropology
- More information at the MANO Project (Note: The MANO Project concluded at the end of October 2025.)
Internship opportunities across the nation:
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York Cty, NY
The Whitney's intern program offers training and direct experience working in one of New York City’s most exciting museums. Interns are placed in departments across the Museum where they assist professional staff, interact with the public, conduct research, provide administrative support, and learn about modern and contemporary American art. Interns also gain valuable training, skills, and work experience as well as an opportunity to build a network of professional contacts. They offer internships in a variety of departments including Advancement, Business Systems, Communications, Curatorial, Digital Content, Director's Office, Finance and Legal, Education, Exhibition Design, Graphic Design, Marketing, Membership, Publications, Research Resources, and Theater. Visit their website for more information: https://whitney.org/about/internships
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY
The Met offers internships across their many departments including the Antonio Ratti Textile Center, Archives, Building and Construction, Communications and Marketing, Conservation, Curatorial, Design, Digital, Editorial and Publications, Education, Finance, Government Affairs, Imaging, Information Systems and Technology, Institutional Advancement (Development, Member and Visitor Services, and Special Events), Office of the Senior Vice President, Secretary, and General Counsel, Registrar, Scientific Research, and Thomas J. Watson Library. For more information about their current internship offerings, visit their website: https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/internships
MoMA, New York City, NY
Interns at MoMA will be provided focused departmental training, complemented with regular activities designed for this cohort to receive greater exposure to the museum and art fields. Internships provide training in specific museum fields through close work with a professional staff member, familiarity with modern and contemporary art through seminars and discussions, and an educational program that exposes interns to the workings of the Museum as a whole, while considering the role of museums in the broader cultural context. The MoMA offers internships across their departments including Architecture and Design, Archives, Drawings and Prints, Film, Media and Performance, Painting and Sculpture, Photography, Drawings and Prints, Performance and Live Programs, and Public Programs. Visit their website to learn more about their current intern positions: https://www.moma.org/about/get-involved/internships
New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York City, NY
The Internship Program at the New Museum offers participants hands-on training in the museum profession and a comprehensive overview of Museum operations. Interns also gain insight into the world of contemporary art. Interns participate in the day-to-day activities of these departments, in addition to working on specific projects. For more information, visit their website: https://www.newmuseum.org/
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Their internship offerings include work in the following departments: Curatorial, Collections Management, Adult Public Programs, Community Arts Programs, Audience Research & Evaluation, and Object Research. Visit their website to learn more about their current offerings: https://crystalbridges.org/internships/
Diversity in Arts Leadership (DIAL) internship program, administered by Americans for the Arts
Diversity in Arts Leadership (DIAL) internship program, administered by Americans for the Arts and national partners, matches undergraduate students from backgrounds underrepresented in arts leadership with dynamic communities, energetic host arts organizations, and mentors, to guide students’ personal and professional growth throughout the summer. They offer internships in a variety of locations including New Jesey, New York, and Nashville. Learn more about their internship program on their website: Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity in Arts Leadership (DIAL) Internship Program | Americans for the Arts
AAMC (The Association of Art Museum Curators) internship list:
Founded in 2001, the mission of the Association of Art Museum Curators is to support and promote the work of museum curators by creating opportunities for networking, collaboration, professional development, and advancement. In support of these aims, the AAMC Foundation seeks to heighten public understanding of the curator's role in art museums through professional development programs, awards, and grants. The AAMC posts a variety of internship opportunities across the country on their website: https://www.artcurators.org/page/Internships
Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, South Carolina
The Gibbes Museum of Art offers part-time internships throughout the year for college students and recent graduates interested in a career in the arts. Students may apply to assist specific departments, including Business and Administration, Collections, Curatorial, Development, Museum Operations, Special Events, and Summer Camp (Education). For more information, visit their website: https://www.gibbesmuseum.org/careers/
Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Atlanta, Georgia (and beyond)
The Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC), nonprofit membership organization, is an association of museums, museum staff, independent professionals and corporate partners. They post a variety of internship opportunities on their website: https://www.semcdirect.net/listing
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, New York City, NY
The Peter A. Krueger Summer Internship Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to gain professional skills and learn about museum practices at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Cooper Hewitt is the only museum in the United States that is exclusively devoted to historic and contemporary design. Interns will acquire in-depth knowledge and develop an enriched understanding of how the museum fulfills its mission to educate, inspire, and empower people through design. Their internship offerings include Cross-Platform Publications, Graphic Design, Curatorial, and Product Design and Decorative Arts. Visit their website for more information about their postings: https://www.cooperhewitt.org/careers/
MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA
MASS MoCA is one of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA is able to embrace all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. MASS MoCA offers internships in almost all of their departments including Stage Tech / Performing Arts Production, Performing Arts Administration, Visual Arts - Curatorial, Graphic Design, Development, Communications, Audience Services/Box Office, Education, and Digital Services. To learn more about their current internship offerings, visit their website: Opportunities | MASS MoCA.
SFMOMA, San Francisco, CA
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s internship program offers students behind-the-scenes exposure to the day-to-day operations of one of the country’s leading modern and contemporary art museums. They offer internships in many of their departments, including Curatorial, Design Studio, Enterprise Events, Interpretive Media, Library, Museum Store, and Public Engagement. Visit their website to learn more about their current internship offerings: https://www.sfmoma.org/join-the-team/internship-program/
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, Napa, CA
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is a catalyst for transformative experiences with contemporary art of Northern California. The nonprofit art center presents dynamic exhibitions and educational programs for all ages and houses the foremost collection of contemporary Bay Area art in the world. A wide range of styles, media, and subject matter provide an overview of the creative energy and freedom to experiment that characterize this region of California. di Rosa features two galleries, a sculpture park, a 35-acre lake, and a wildlife preserve, all located on 217 scenic acres in Napa Valley’s famed Carneros region. di Rosa offers a limited number of internships in the areas of Collections Management, Collections Care, Development, Marketing, Education and Civic Engagement, and Arts Administration. For more information about their current offerings, visit their website: https://www.dirosaart.org/internships_fellowships/
Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
Since our founding in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of our collection, our innovative and extensive education programs, and our architecturally significant campus. More than 25,000 works of art represent American and European painting, the history of art in glass, ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian works, Asian and African art, medieval art, sculpture, decorative arts, graphic arts, and modern and contemporary art. The Toledo Museum of Art offers a variety of internships across their many departments, including Archives, Art Camp, Collections Inventory, Community Outreach, Development, Exhibitions, Information Technology, Learning and Interpretation Digital Image, Conservation, and School and Teacher Programs. For more information about their current offerings, visit their website: Jobs & Internships | Toledo Museum of Art
The Toledo Museum of Art also offers a paid Pre-Program Conservation internship for those interested in focusing on a career in Art Conservation. This internship specifically gives a student experience in working with Outdoor Sculpture Conservation and will work with the Museum's Conservator, Conservation Fellow, and Conservation Technician. More information can be found on their website!
Dallas Museum of Art (DMA), Dallas, TX
Each year the Dallas Museum of Art offers nine paid internship positions divided among the Museum’s Education, Curatorial, and Exhibitions and Interpretation departments. Established in 1974, the McDermott Internship Program allows interns to work closely with staff throughout the Museum and provides opportunities for individual contributions, resulting in an in-depth and well-rounded perspective on museum work. For more information on their current internship offerings, visit their website: https://dma.org/about/internships
Los Angeles Country Museum of Art (LACMA), Los Angeles, CA
The LACMA offers a paid internship in Collection Information & Digital Assets. The Collection Information & Digital Assets department (CIDA) are stewards of the art administration systems (collection management system, digital asset management system, work order management system) and their data, providing strategic digital solutions and support throughout data lifecycles for a variety of internal and external users needs. CIDA governs metadata standards, systems development, assessment, and preservation of high-value digital assets, and consults on greater museum-wide digital initiatives. The team works closely with other departments to support the acquisition program, exhibition calendar, and other institutional projects and priorities. For more information on their current offerings, visit their website: https://www.lacma.org/jobs?tab=internships#internships
The Bass Museum, Miami, FL
The Bass Museum offers unpaid internships in a variety of areas including Collections & Exhibitions, Social Media, Graphic Design, Art & Museum Education, and Special Events. For more information on their current offerings, visit their website: https://thebass.org/available-internships/
The High Museum, Atlanta, GA
The High Museum offers paid summer internships in a variety of their departments including Education, Fabrication, and Registrar. Visit their website for more information on their current offerings: https://high.org/teens-and-college/summer-internships/
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago, IL
The MCA offers paid internships across many of their departments including Collections & Exhibitions, Strategic Communications, Curatorial, Development, Learning, Performance and Public Practice, and Content Strategy-Video. For more information on their current offerings, visit their website: https://mcachicago.org/About/Internships
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO
The Kemper Museum offers internships in many areas including Administration, Curatorial, Development, Education, Marketing & Communications, Registration, and Special Events. For more information, visit their website: https://www.kemperart.org/employment
Contact: visitorservices@kemperart.org
Asheville Art Museum, Asheville, NC
The Asheville Art Museum offers both paid and unpaid internships in across many of their departments including Communications, Curatorial (Museum Diversity, Collections Management, and Preparation), Finance, Learning & Engagement, and Legal. For more information on their current offerings, visit their website: https://www.ashevilleart.org/about/careers/intern/
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC
The North Carolina Museum of Art offers internships across their departments, including Accessibility, Advancement, Curatorial, Education, Registration, Marketing & Communications, Membership, Public Programs, Outreach, and Video. For more information about their offerings, visit their website: https://ncartmuseum.org/get_involved/interns/
Contact: internships@ncartmuseum.org
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC
Reynolda House internship participants assist with the daily operation of the Education and Program departments, helping with school field trips and family programs. In addition to completing required readings and accompanying tours of the Museum, all interns undertake a research project about a selected work of art in the collection, correlating it with literature and music of the same historical period. Additional internship experiences may be available in other Museum departments, including Marketing & Communications and Development. For more information about their current offerings, visit their website: https://reynolda.org/employment-internships/
Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY
The Brooklyn Museum offers both paid and unpaid internships in many of their departments including Committee for Institutional History, Collections Practices, and Provenance, Conservation, Curatorial, Digital Collections & Services, Education, Exhibitions, Public Programs, Archives, and Conservation. For more information about their current offerings, visit their website: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/about/careers
Contact: internships@brooklynmuseum.org
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, NY
Not accepting internship applications for the summer 2022 cycle, but does have the Summer College Workshop: The Summer College Workshop is a paid remote enrichment program open to current undergraduate and graduate students from any major or discipline. Unlike the Guggenheim’s internship program, the Workshop is an experimental classroom for students to collaborate and design their own project inspired by an exhibition at the museum. The specific project and theme will change based on the exhibitions on view. Over the course of ten weeks, participants hear from artists, museum professionals, and scholars as they build their research, critical-thinking, and presentation skills, culminating in a final project that is published in an e-book.
The Frick Collection, New York, NY
For information about the Frick Collection internships, visit their website: https://www.frick.org/careers
Contact: internships@frick.org
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers paid internships across their departments including Administration, Collections, Conservation, Curatorial, Development, Editorial, Education, Finance, Human Resources, Information and Interpretive Technology, Library & Archives, Marketing & Communications, Membership & Visitor Operations, Photography, Registrar, Special Events, and more. Interns also attend a Museum Studies seminar which offers gallery talks with curators, discussions with administrators, conversations with every museum departments, behind-the-scenes tours, presentations on the museum's history and collections, and field trips. For more information about their internship program, visit their website: https://www.philamuseum.org/
Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, PA
The Barnes Foundation offers paid internships in Development, Collections & Exhibitions, Community, Youth, & Family Programs, Conservation, Development, Editorial/Publications, Education, Finance, Graphic Design, Human Resources, Marketing & Social Media, Public Programs, Public Relations, Registration, and more. For more information, visit their website: https://www.barnesfoundation.org/about/careers-and-volunteering
Contact: internship@barnesfoundation.org
Resources for Studio Artists:
EXHIBITIONS / FESTIVALS
Ideally you will reach a point in your career where you don’t have to apply for shows. Previous exhibitions and professional connections will start to snowball and generate their own opportunities. As a young artist applying for shows is often a primary way we start out. It can also represent an important part of your output as opportunities ebb and flow throughout your career. Everyone’s path is different.
Some shows ask for application fees and some don’t. Fee-based juried shows or those that offer a “best in show” prize are often singular events that don’t lead to many professional connections. Sometimes fee-based shows can be a good way to build your resume. I'm not against them because I think they provide necessary experience and help you figure out what works for you in the art world.
Artist Run Galleries: This is one of the first options for young artists. They are often open to proposals and will say so on their website. This is a way you can make your own opportunities. Forming a gallery space with peers or tapping into your network can make this possible.
Non-Profit Galleries: Most cities support non-profit art spaces and many of them accept applications. Another great place to start. Second Street Gallery in Charlottesville and 1708 Gallery in Richmond are local options.
University Galleries: Most art departments have a gallery like our Ruffin Gallery. They often show later emerging and mid-career artists. They often don’t publicly post openings. Many rely on faculty to curate shows.
Commercial Galleries: This is what most people think of when they think of the artist making a living. Commercial galleries represent you and show your work on the consistent basis. Most want you to be exclusive to them and handle purchases outside the gallery as well. Generally, these opportunities come about through connections that you build via other shows (see above). It is usually frowned upon to submit unsolicited packages to a commercial gallery.
General Open Calls
New York Foundation for the Arts
College Art Association of America
InLiquid
Call for Entry
Creative Capital
The Big Artist Opportunities List
Time Based Media
FilmFreeway
Rhizome
New Media Caucus
Experimental Cinema
No Entry Fee Festivals
GRANTS
Grants for artists are great for supporting new work and boosting your CV. Because they are competitive it is best to put the effort towards a grant only when you feel confident in your proposal package.
Grants often have restrictions on how the funding may be used. You may need to submit a budget beforehand and a summary report after the grant period is over. Grants almost always ask for a proposal stating how the money will be used. We aren’t going over proposals and grant writing this semester, but general advice is to be clear and support your proposal with a portfolio that is directly relevant. Be thorough in explaining your work as well as touching on how your proposal is uniquely poised to benefit from the funding organization.
The VMFA Fellowship is an important grant to know about as a student or professional if you live in Virginia. https://www.vmfa.museum/programs/college/visual-arts-fellowships/
RESIDENCIES
Some artists rely heavily on residencies and some never attend them. It’s all a matter of knowing what you need and how you work. A residency is a sort of retreat where you live and make work in a new place. They exist all over the world and range from a few days to a year or more. Some are fully funded with stipends and some you must pay your own way completely. There are residencies where you are completely isolated from people in nature and there are social almost camp-like residencies where building connections is more of the point. All residencies invite you to make your work or conduct research in a new place. Studio residencies are something I suggest researching for any new city you move to since they can offer free space but also build community. Of the opportunities listed here, residencies are the most abundant.
There isn't a quality difference between fee or no fee residencies. There is an upper echelon of residencies that are fully funded and highly competitive, but they are easy to pick out when doing your research. There will always be more applicants for the fully funded and more established residencies. Season can also affect your chances especially as a young artist. The majority of applicants want the summer months, so off-season is less competitive. Once you get one residency it is easier to get more. The people who are judging your application will have worked with many artists and are looking for someone who can thrive in the unique work environment of a residency.
Know your qualifications. Every stage of your career offers opportunities when it comes to applications. You should always be aware of whether what you’re applying to is appropriate for your now. Do your research and ask yourself – is this geared towards emerging artists or do they mostly accept only mid-career artists? Take a look at who they have accepted recently, and you will immediately get a feel for whether you fit in.
Emerging Artist: An artist who is starting out towards establishing their career. This term can cover artists for a long time, until they gain a fair level of professional accolades.
Mid-Career Artist: An artist who has had national and international success. This will include several major solo exhibitions and grants.
DutchCulture|TransArtists
Res Artis
Alliance of Artists Communities
The Lawrence Art Center Residency List