Fall Exhibition Design Internship

The program will begin on September 15, 2026, and end on December 5, 2026. Participants must be available Monday through Friday for nine consecutive weeks, five days per week. Interns are assigned to a specific department at the Museum for the duration of the internship.

The application window for our Fall 2026 Ostrover Family Academic Internship is now open through August 14. All candidates will be considered on a rolling basis, and some opportunities may close before the deadline.

• Participate in departmental design charrettes and meetings with exhibition curators to review design concepts and art layouts, as well as planning meetings involving colleagues across the institution (via Zoom and in‑person).
• Assist in creating art layouts, scaled maquettes of artwork, study models, full‑scale mockups, and presentation materials.
• When possible, observe and assist on the floor during construction and installation.

• Enrolled in architecture, exhibition design, or set design program.
• Proficiency in 2D and 3D drafting.
• Experienced in building study and finish models.
• Ability to think abstractly and creatively with a concern for details.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work in a flexible, fast‑paced environment on simultaneous projects.
• Must provide a portfolio PDF along with resume and essay.
• Undergraduates and graduates currently enrolled in accredited academic‑year programs are eligible.
• Preferred but not required: demonstrated interest in art and art history; students in all majors encouraged to apply.
• Previous museum experience is not required.

• Exposure to the entire exhibition process from conception to installation and the role of exhibition design within it.
• Work alongside designers and curators to develop an exhibition’s narrative and environment.
• Learn the tools used to communicate spatial and conceptual ideas to curators and the larger institution.
• Training in developing scaled models, architectural drawings, and critically reviewing art layout in terms of curatorial narrative.

• Develop skills to assess art checklists, build three‑dimensional thinking with 2D and 3D work, and learn fundamentals of exhibition design planning.
• Gain insight into how a large museum functions and how different departments influence exhibition design.

• Stipend of $3,000.

• The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate on any protected basis, including age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, disposition, or arrest or conviction record, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law.
  
  The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the position. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

When applying, use your cover letter to describe your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.