McMullan Arts Leadership Intern, Exhibition Design

Position Summary

The Art Institute of Chicago’s department of Exhibition Design is excited to offer a McMullan Arts Leadership intern position to work with them. The McMullan Arts Leadership Intern in Exhibition Design will work directly with the exhibition design team as a contributing member on projects at various stages of development. The intern will gain exposure to the full scope of the exhibition design process, from concept to installation, and develop hands‑on skills through tasks such as drafting layouts, preparing models, and supporting design documentation.

The Exhibition Design department is responsible for all three‑dimensional design for exhibitions across the museum. Our work brings together architecture, design, and storytelling to create meaningful experiences for visitors. The team includes designers with diverse backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to collaboration, creativity, and cultural engagement.

The intern will join a museum‑wide intern cohort and have access to a range of programs to support their development in addition to their placement in Exhibition Design. Mentorship is provided throughout the experience, and connections with an intern alumni network will be established.

Duration of Position: 32 weeks, starting any week of September 21–25 2026 through any week of April 26–30 2027.

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. This program specifically aims to support students who encounter economic challenges when considering a career in the arts. Aligned with this goal, we aim to help 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.

• Learn how multidisciplinary teams collaborate to create accessible, engaging, and visitor‑centered museum experiences.
• Develop technical and professional skills in drafting, 3D modeling, rendering, and exhibition documentation.
• Gain hands‑on experience in the exhibition design process from concept development through installation.
• Strengthen communication, project management, and problem‑solving skills within a professional design environment.
• Develop mentor relationships with field practitioners.
• Build peer‑to‑peer relationships with fellow interns.

• Collaborate with the Exhibition Design team on active projects, contributing to all phases of the design process from concept development through installation.
• Produce design materials including floor plans, elevations, maquettes, and 3D models using software such as Vectorworks and Sketch Up.
• Conduct site surveys and model existing gallery spaces to support current and future exhibition planning.
• Participate in regular team meetings and intern cohort programs, including mentorship check‑ins and museum‑wide professional development sessions.

• 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 over the course of the internship term.
• Academic background in Architecture, Interior Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, proactive mindset.
• Interest in the relationship between art, architecture, and design.
• Willingness to learn new software, including Vectorworks and Sketch Up, if not already familiar.
• Additional preferred qualifications:
  • Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, or Rhino.
  • Experience with model‑making, spatial design, or exhibition‑related projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to think critically about design in cultural or institutional contexts.

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…