McMullan Arts Leadership Internship, Design, Visual Design

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

The Art Institute of Chicago’s Department of Experience Design is excited to offer a McMullan Arts Leadership Intern position to work with the Visual Design team. The Visual Design team is responsible for all visual aspects within the museum—exhibits, print materials, digital products, environmental and service design, and brand. This internship offers the opportunity for a designer early in their career to explore interests and refine skills through a broad range of creative design projects.

• Establish familiarity with stakeholders, projects, and processes within the Visual Design department
• Research and develop longer‑term design projects, and present these to key stakeholders across the museum
• Generate a portfolio of design projects documenting work created during the internship
• Develop mentor relationships with field practitioners
• Build peer‑to‑peer relationships with fellow interns

• Support creative concepts
  • Assist with design inspiration research, interpreting creative briefs, and generating design ideas for exhibitions, printed material, campaigns, and brand work
• Support the design team with production across many visual design formats, including exhibition graphics, way finding and campus signage, marketing campaigns, digital products, moving image, and printed materials
• Participate in the design process
  • Collaborate with other members of the Visual Design team and participate in group design critiques and feedback sessions; regularly provide and receive constructive feedback
• Contribute to authentic and original creative work
  • Support the Art Institute’s unique voice and identity, exploring a rich visual vocabulary to find the best solution for each design challenge
• Support the museum’s commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable institution
  • Treat all colleagues and visitors equitably and respectfully, acknowledging the value of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
• Participate in regular meetings with members of the Visual Design team
• Attend intern cohort professional development programs and museum practice seminars

• Undergraduate or graduate student; recent graduates (within one year of graduation) will also be considered
• Applicants must be based in the Chicagoland area and/or attending school in the Chicagoland area during the internship term
• Strong interest in developing typographic skills and understanding of grid systems
• Creative approach to the use of typography, image, and color
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro)
• Comfortable working in a team environment and contributing to group discussions as well as receiving feedback
• Collaborative problem‑solving mindset
• Ability to balance multiple projects in a fast‑paced studio environment

Hiring Range: $17.50/hour (Maximum 14 hours per week, for a total of up to 448 hours over the course of the internship). This position is not benefits eligible.

Job Classification: Hourly
Employment Category: Intern

Schedule: This is a part‑time, 32‑week position for a currently enrolled or recently graduated undergraduate or graduate student. The intern will work 14 hours per week, for a total of up to 448 hours over the course of the internship. Work days will occur between Monday–Friday; the start date and schedule will be determined upon agreement with the candidate and the host department.

Format: The internship will be fully onsite. Applicants based or attending school in the Chicagoland area during the internship timeframe will be prioritized. Internet access and appropriate technology will be necessary to complete this internship; technological accommodations will be provided by the Art Institute of Chicago based on necessity.

Location: 111 S Michigan Ave, 111 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603, USA

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at .