Image: Cali Stuckey, Outreach and Audience Engagement Intern
Deadlines
The next available internships will occur in fall 2025.
We are accepting applications for fall semester internships (September 15–November 21, 2025) from now until July 25, 2025.
The NCMA offers an on-site internship program with the possibility of occasional remote work. We are excited to give you the opportunity to have an NCMA staff mentor and a cohort of intern peers from colleges in North Carolina and beyond.
While you are learning and supporting the NCMA, you’ll participate in enrichment activities that may include presentations from staff in departments across the Museum. You’ll also go on tours of the galleries and campus. On-site activities will be modified at the discretion of internship supervisors. Your internship culminates in a presentation for staff and other interns. Internships are currently unpaid.
Eligibility
College students, recent graduates, graduate students, and nontraditional students are encouraged to apply. Although it is not generally required that interns have an art or art history major, Museum departments may individualize their requirements. Eligibility varies for each internship term.
Application Requirements
Please email internships@ncartmuseum.org with any questions.
- Cover letter, including your area of interest. If you are open to any available internships, please make note of that as well, as it will provide more opportunities for you.
- Up-to-date résumé
- Two letters of recommendation, preferably from a professor or professional reference. Allow ample time to request letters.
- Transcript of undergraduate or graduate records. Official or unofficial transcripts are accepted. Applicants must have a 2.8 average on a 4.0 scale.
You must include all of the above items. If any are missing, you will not be considered for an internship. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your complete application. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Review Process
Once the deadline has passed, Museum staff members review application materials. Finalists are contacted for interviews within a month after the deadline. Final decisions are typically made within a few weeks after the interview.
The number of internships available varies. A department may be unable to offer an internship for a particular semester for different reasons.
Time Requirement
Interns must be available to work at least 10 hours per week with flexible schedules.
Academic Credit
Some colleges give credit for internships. Students are responsible for arranging with their schools to receive credit. Internships are unpaid. Select internships for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are available as paid opportunities.
Fall 2025 Internships
The internship will offer an opportunity to assist in the development, coordination, and execution of teen and college art and educational programming at the NCMA. The intern will work closely with the manager of teen and college programs and the Outreach and Audience Engagement Department. They will specifically work with the Teen Arts Council and College Advisory Panel to plan Teen Days, College Days, and Art on the Dot: Students and on the development of Teen Night and College Night. This internship is ideal for students passionate about arts education, art history, event planning, and community engagement.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in planning, coordinating, and facilitating teen and college programs.
- Develope lesson plans that explore connections between the Museum Park, permanent collection, and special exhibitions for the Teen Arts Council.
- Research art objects in the Museum collection and special exhibitions to aid the development of teen and college programs.
- Research and prepare supplies, tools, and materials needed for programs.
- Support program logistics, including setup, participant engagement, and documentation (photos, participant feedback, etc.).
- Attend relevant planning meetings with educators, artists, and other NCMA staff, gaining exposure to broader Museum operations.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be available 10–15 hours per week, including some evening or weekend hours during workshops
- Currently pursuing a degree in art education, art history, arts management, museum studies, community outreach, studio art, or a related field
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Creativity and enthusiasm for engaging diverse young audiences in art making and community building
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work alongside the NCMA’s Publications team within the Marketing Department.
- Design print and digital materials across departments such as Education, Marketing, Programs, Performing Arts, and more.
- Learn about the different design roles withing the Publications team and in other areas of the Museum.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be available 10–20 hours per week, primarily on site with some remote work possible
- Graphic design major
- Interest in print and digital design
- Familiarity with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; Canva, illustration, and animation experience a plus
This internship provides a hands-on opportunity to assist in planning and delivering community-facing art workshops and public programs at the NCMA. The intern will work closely with the director of outreach and audience engagement to support programming that connects diverse audiences with the Museum’s exhibitions, collections, campus, and values. This role is well-suited to students with interests in arts education, cultural programming, community engagement, and event production.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in planning, coordinating, and facilitating studio art workshops and large-scale public programs (e.g., festivals).
- Collaborate on workshop prompts and assist with developing lesson plans.
- Prepare and organize art materials and supplies.
- Support program logistics: setup, breakdown, participant engagement, documentation (e.g., photos, feedback collection).
- Assist in the curation and installation of participant artwork for pop-up exhibitions.
- Participate in data collection, surveys, and program evaluations.
- Attend planning meetings with artists, educators, and Museum staff.
- Learn and apply the basic use of Museum systems, such as Tessitura (event registration), and support the tracking of earned revenue and participation metrics.
REQUIREMENTS
- Availability of 10–15 hours per week, with occasional required evening or weekend shifts
- Currently enrolled in a degree program in art education, studio art, museum studies, nonprofit management, or a related field
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
- Comfort with engaging with the public and working with artists and Museum staff
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting
You will assist the manager of Park and mindful museum programs in the development and management of on-site outdoor and mindfulness programming as well as memory care outreach initiatives at the NCMA. This will be within the context of the Outreach and Audience Engagement team that strives to connect diverse audiences with the Museum’s collection through a variety of inspiring experiences. This internship is ideal for students interested in working with the public and who are passionate about the arts, event planning, mental health and well-being, and/or community engagement.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in planning, coordinating, and/or executing a wide array of public programs, such as Adaptive Tai Chi in the Park, Meditative Moments with Art, Full Moon Walk, and more.
- Assist in creating content and activities for and facilitating memory care outreach programs.
- Research and prepare materials for memory care outreach take-home art-making kits as well as pack and assemble large quantities of the kits for distribution.
- Support program logistics; must be present for at least four on-site public programs to help with setup, check-in, and other management as needed throughout.
- Attend relevant meetings with our department, program facilitators, and other NCMA staff, gaining exposure to broader Museum operations.
- Assist with other related activities, perform activities tailored to your interests, and complete any project requirements.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be available an average of 10 hours per week, including some evening and weekend hours. There will be specific dates and times of programs you will need to commit to, at least four over the internship run. These will be discussed during the interview process.
- Currently pursuing a degree in arts management, museum studies, community outreach, parks and recreation, or a related field
- Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills
- Creativity and enthusiasm for engaging diverse audiences through arts and nature
- Self-motivation and ability to work independently and problem-solve as well as work collaboratively in a team setting; willingness to ask for and provide help when needed
The intern will assist the manager of tour experiences in the development and management of tour program support materials. A focus on educational material for docent volunteers and the development of a digital educational environment for docents will be the major contribution of this role. This internship is ideal for students interested in working in arts education, digital learning, and community engagement.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the naming, description, and organization of research materials on the volunteer docent learning management system Canvas.
- Assist with the welcoming and coordination of on-site tour groups.
- Research and prepare materials for current and upcoming exhibitions, the NCMA’s permanent collection, and tour facilitation.
- Attend docent professional development sessions in-person or virtually and follow-up with relevant educational materials.
- Attend meetings with the manager of digital learning, volunteer docents, and other NCMA staff, gaining exposure to broader museum operations.
- Assist with other tasks as needed.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be available an average of 10 hours per week, with some availability on weekday mornings to attend trainings and assist with tour logistics as needed
- Currently pursuing a degree in education, art history, museum studies, library science, hospitality, or a related field
- Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills
- Self-motivation and ability to work independently and problem-solve as well as work collaboratively in a team setting; willingness to ask for and provide help when needed