Organizer Information:

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The Department of Painting and Sculpture maintains a world-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art with more than 4,000 works dating from the late nineteenth century to the present.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the 2026 MoMA 12-Month Internship - Painting and Sculpture.

This full-time, 12-month internship is offered for recent college graduates interested in pursuing a museum career. The intern will work within the Collection section of the P&S Department, assisting with collection care, cataloging, and curatorial tasks for an upcoming May 2027 collection-based exhibition featuring artworks that trace connections between Asia, Africa, and their diasporas. The focused departmental training is integrated with lecture series and monthly activities designed for the intern cohort.

Category:

Internship / Curatorial, Painting & Sculpture, Museum Studies, & Art History.

Eligibility:

  • Who: Recent graduates of bachelor’s or master’s degree programs. The ideal candidate is a recent BA or MA graduate in an art history program.
  • Skills: Excellent writing skills and knowledge of Microsoft Suite and Google Suite.
  • Commitment Requirement: This program requires a full-time commitment (Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM) running from approximately September 14, 2026, to August 27, 2027.
  • Constraint: Candidates may apply for up to three (3) departments in the same cohort.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Financial Support: A $42,000 salary (gross), subject to applicable tax withholdings.
  • Additional Benefits: Health benefits and two weeks paid vacation.
  • Travel Grant: An additional $2,000 to cover travel expenses for an approved research trip related to the intern’s field of interest.
  • Professional Development: Gain firsthand experience in museum collection file management, provenance research, exhibition data entry, and observing the exhibition design/production process.

Application Requirements:

All items must be submitted as PDFs through MoMA's UKG Recruiting Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

  1. A résumé/curriculum vitae.
  2. At least 1 letter of recommendation (uploaded directly to the application).
  3. A transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted).
  4. An essay (maximum 650 words) answering: "Why are you interested in participating in an internship at The Museum of Modern Art?"
    • The essay MUST address both: a) The role of museums and how you envision their potential for evolution.b) An individual or an experience that has influenced your perception of the arts.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: Sunday, May 3, 2026 (11:59 PM EST). (Note: Late applications will not be reviewed).
  • Interviews: Select applicants will be contacted in mid-July to arrange an interview.
  • Internship Dates: September 14, 2026 – August 27, 2027.

Location:

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, NY, USA.

Contact Information:

Email: internships@moma.org

Application Link: MoMA 12-Month Internship Recruiting Portal