Adult internships

Adult internships are open to undergraduate and graduate students who are eligible for academic credit. Students sponsored by their school or a partner organization are also eligible to apply. All candidates must be able to receive academic credit or a stipend to support their learning experience at the Museum.

If you are not enrolled in higher education and are part of an adult workforce development or job training program, have your organization contact internships@​brooklynmuseum.​org. Still in high school? Learn about our teen internships.

Internships are held in the spring (February–April), summer (June–August), and fall (September–December). Application deadlines are listed on the interest forms, along with when you can expect to hear back from us.

Academic credit

Brooklyn Museum adult internships are unpaid, but you can earn academic credit and supplement your studies. If you’re an undergraduate or graduate student interested in interning, fill out an academic credit interest form. Only applications submitted via this form will be reviewed.

Stipends

If you are a student associated with a college, university, arts and cultural organization, or other program that is interested in sponsoring your internship with us, have a representative fill out a partnership interest form. Internships will be designed collaboratively to ensure projects are aligned with the candidate’s learning objectives.

Current institutional partners include:

• CCNY Humanities & Arts Internship Program

• CUNY Cultural Corps

• Fordham University (Serving the City)

• Princeton University: Bernstein Arts Leadership Fellowship

• Studio Institute ARTS Intern

Institutions that are able to provide interns with stipends are strongly encouraged to partner with us: We recognize the need for financial support for students of all economic backgrounds. However, if institutional support is not available, students can receive academic credit.

Internships combine two elements: departmental placements and weekly seminars.

Departmental placements

You’ll be paired with a supervisor and integrated into a Museum department, participating fully in day-to-day workplace activities and projects with the guidance of full-time staff members. You’ll work alongside expert staff on key tasks, gaining skills while making important contributions to the Museum as a whole.

You’ll be equipped with the latest methods and tools for your field of interest and assigned projects tailored to support your growth. For instance, curatorial interns will gain exposure to The Museum System (a collections management system) and research methods, while Education interns will delve into the logistics of lesson planning and pedagogical approaches.

Seminar series

Along with practical experience, you’ll receive professional development through regular seminars that provide networking opportunities with staff and fellow interns. The seminars include tours of departments and galleries as well as intimate conversations with Brooklyn Museum curators, conservators, educators, and collection and exhibition specialists. Interns also visit local museums and other cultural institutions.

Over the course of the internship, interns gain skills and perspectives on museum work, and build community with their cohort.

The Brooklyn Museum’s annual Intern Convening, held each July, is an opportunity for interns and emerging arts professionals to think critically about how cultural institutions can help create an equitable and just society.

“A Handbook for Our Future” emerged from the first convening in 2021. This digital publication reflects interns’ and other professionals’ collective vision and intentions for the future of cultural institutions and their intersections with social justice issues. Although not intended to provide concrete solutions, the handbook serves as a framework for young arts professionals to consider and utilize. A new edition is in the works.

Email internships@brooklynmuseum.org.