The McMullan Arts Leadership internship program is part of a museum-wide effort to provide students the opportunity to gain experience, career awareness, networks, and skills that will position them to thrive as future art museum leaders.
The primary objective of this internship is to support students who will encounter economic challenges if considering a career in the arts. Aligned with this goal, we aim to shape a diverse group of leaders whose actions are informed by a wide range of perspectives, varying career paths, and values inspired by their own lived experiences.
Whether you help in creating and leading a tour of the galleries or participate behind the scenes building marketing strategies, developing financial analysis, or providing technical support, as an intern you’ll get hands-on experience with our skilled team of professionals and an immersive view of the various areas of expertise that contribute to the museum’s success.
We expect you to not only gain valuable skill sets and learn about workplace interactions, but also gain further insight into your professional interests. As an intern, you will complete various tasks related to department initiatives, while collaborating with industry experts. This includes, and is not limited to, assisting in daily departmental activities, taking part in special projects, and lending a hand with research.
In addition to getting in-depth exposure to the museum and school, Art Institute Internships also offer:
- Free admission to the Art Institute and other Chicago cultural institutions
- Access to events and exhibitions at the museum
- Discounts for the museum’s shops and restaurants
See currently available internships.
How can I find out about internships?
The museum supports summer and academic year internships. Summer internship opportunities will be posted in January and stay open through mid-February. Academic year internships will be posted in June and stay open through mid-July.
Please visit our museum’s opportunities page during the time periods listed above to see available internship opportunities.
Sign up for our Research E-News to receive the latest updates about our internship opportunities. Visit artic.edu/enews and click “Research, Publishing, and Conservation” to subscribe.
Who is eligible to apply?
Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at a university, college, or community college as well as recent graduates are eligible. A major in art history or fine art is not essential.
How do I apply for an internship?
Please apply to internship opportunities through our online career portal as we do not accept applications that are mailed or emailed. Note that all application materials must be attached as one singular PDF—we will not accept incomplete applications.
We ask that you meet the deadline listed in the job posting, but if you’re having issues uploading your materials online, please email aerdept@artic.edu for assistance up to 24 hours after the deadline.
Arts of Africa, Islamic Art (Summer 2025)
Research and document artworks produced in Egypt and Morocco between the 10th and 19th centuries for museum website publication. Includes handling objects and working with archival resources.
Textiles, Collection Management (Summer 2025)
Focus on collection management, documentation, and care of textiles. Mentorship from collection manager and technician.
Publishing, Design and Production (Summer 2025)
Assist with the migration of digital scholarly publications, design, and presentation of migrated publications. Includes work on cataloging and color proofing.
Interpretation, Creative Programs (Summer 2025)
Assist with public programs like art-making experiences. Opportunity to lead museum tours and engage in creative programming at various locations in Chicago.
Provenance Research (Summer 2025)
Research projects concerning the history of museum collections and the stories of art dealers and collectors.
Imaging, Photography and Production (Summer 2025)
Work closely with Photography and Production teams. Gain hands-on experience in image creation, editing, and file management for museum collections.
Conservation and Science, Time-Based Media Conservation (Summer 2025)
Work with the media conservation team, gain mentorship and insights into conservation practices for time-based media.
Arts of Asia (Summer 2025)
Assist with curatorial work in the Arts of Asia department, including research and collection management.
Photography and Media (Summer 2025)
Assist with cataloging and object research in the photography and media collection. Work with curators to publish original content.
Conservation and Science, Provenance Research (Summer 2025)
Engage in research and study of the provenance of artwork in the museum collection.
Prints and Drawings (Summer 2025)
Focus on identifying print and drawing techniques, object research, and care of works on paper in the Prints and Drawings department.
Experience Design, Digital Content (Summer 2025)
Assist with content creation and digital media design for museum exhibits and online content.
Revenue System Operations Ticketing & Admissions Administration (Summer 2025)
Work with the Ticketing and Admissions Administration team to support the museum’s revenue operations.
Website link: https://www.artic.edu/careers/internships
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