This internship offers the opportunity to learn about museum annual giving and fundraising through the NCMA’s membership program. The intern works closely with the membership associate and Advancement Department. They experience firsthand the integral cross-departmental collaboration between Museum teams and practice speaking with Museum visitors and members and problem-solving in real time. They learn the Museum’s CRM database Tessitura and other software. This internship is ideal for students interested in museum operations and passionate about community engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Answer member questions in person, over the phone, and on email.
• Assist in planning membership events and programs.
• Update member records in Tessitura.
• Assist in fulfillment of membership cards.
• Other duties and projects depending on intern’s interests.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 10 hours/week and potential for occasional weekend or evening events
• Actively pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, preferably in museum studies, art history, business, or marketing and communications
• Preferred skills: good time management, attention to detail, strong writing, confidence in speaking to Museum visitors

The intern works closely with the curator of European art and collections history. The internship offers an opportunity to assist in the building of knowledge and records on objects in the NCMA’s European collection. The program includes professional training and direct work experience as well as behind-the-scenes tours and networking opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Will include some or all of the following:

• Object record data entry
• Formatting of bibliographies, exhibition histories, and ownership histories (provenance records) in object data sheets
• Research on objects in the Museum’s collection
• Provenance research on objects in the Museum’s collection and/or potential acquisitions
• Additional research and writing as requested
• Research and administrative assistance related to planning special exhibitions and permanent collection installations

REQUIREMENTS

This position is open to rising and graduating college seniors as well as graduate students. Previous academic research and writing experience required; graduate-level training is preferred. A major or minor in art history, history, or related humanities field is required. Graduate students in divinity degree programs and library and information science programs are also welcome. Preference will be given to students with demonstrated knowledge of one or more of the following subject areas:

• European art, especially medieval through 1800
• Art and material culture of the Mediterranean world
• History of Europe or of the Mediterranean world
• Medieval and Renaissance studies
• Material culture of Europe
• Classical studies

Additionally, applicants must be highly organized, detail oriented, and proactive. Please see below for additional criteria

• 10–20 hours/week, mostly on site at the NCMA
• Knowledge of academic writing and familiarity with formatting citations and bibliographies essential.
• Knowledge of French, Italian, Spanish, or German preferred.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office helpful.
• Schedule to be determined in conversation with curator.

Please note: this internship follows an alternate eight-week schedule (May 11–July 3, 2026).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research and write on objects in the Museum’s collection and on potential acquisitions.
• Research and provide other substantive assistance related to planning special exhibitions and collection installations.
• Help with exhibition development for smaller collection-based exhibitions.
• Assist with additional research and writing needs as requested.

REQUIREMENTS

• 10–20 hours/week, flexible schedule
• Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students with a major in one of the following art specialties: 1) art history, with an interest in 20th-century and contemporary art; knowledge of post-2000 global arts desirable, or 2) museum studies, with an interest in curatorial projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with NCMA summer camps.
• Collaborate with camp assistants, instructors, volunteers, and NCMA education staff to assist with lessons and games to promote camper engagement.
• Assist managing campers (ages 6-12) throughout the day (inside the Museum as well as outdoors) and provide support for instructors with preparation and organization of materials.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 10 hours per week, on site, Monday–Friday
• Previous experience working with children and a background in art or outdoor recreation is preferred.

This intern works closely with the manager of teen and college programs and the Outreach and Audience Engagement Department. The internship offers an opportunity to assist in the development, coordination, and execution of teen and college art and educational programming. The intern works specifically with the Teen Arts Council, College Advisory Panel, assists with all teen and college programs, and helps in 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.
• Develop lesson plans that explore connections between the Museum Park, Museum collection, and special exhibitions for the Teen Arts Council.
• Research art objects in the collection and special exhibitions to aid the development of teen and college programs.
• Research and prepare supplies, tools, and materials needed for programs.
• Support with 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 for 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 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

The internship offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with different iterations of Museum programming for family audiences, working on site at the NCMA and supporting off-site outreach. The intern works with the manager of family programs and other colleagues in the Outreach and Audience Engagement Department to assist with program and event support, project planning and prototyping, outreach support and logistics, and working with volunteers. The internship culminates in the development of a new NCMA to Go Activity kit to be distributed statewide. This internship is ideal for students passionate about arts education, art history, event planning, and community engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research works of art in the NCMA collection.
• Assist with preparing, packing, and shipping NCMA to Go Activity Kits.
• Possibly travel off site to partner locations to assist with family outreach programs.
• Work with volunteers, Museum visitors, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Support on-site family programs as needed.

REQUIREMENTS

• 10–15 hours/week, typically Monday–Friday, with some weekend work expected
• Comfort and ease working with children of all ages, passion for art education, experience with writing for young audiences, above-average attention to detail, sense of humor, and ability to multitask. Familiarity with artmaking techniques, mediums, and design thinking a plus.

The goal of this internship is to provide learning and mentorship opportunities for college students across North Carolina pursuing degrees in studio art, arts management, or arts education. Students who are interested in working with local practicing artists in rural communities statewide will benefit from guiding and teaching local youth in a classroom or group studio setting. AIM seeks to give college students an opportunity to work alongside local artists and explore their own interests in art making with middle school students. In addition to developing leadership and instructional skills, the intern in this position assumes a mentorship role by sharing their college experiences to inspire the sense that a career in art is a possible path for young people.

TIME COMMITMENT

• This is a short-term part-time position that pays $17/hour for approximately 15 hours per week during active residencies.
• Schedule can be hybrid and flexible with consideration of residencies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist teaching artists in afterschool programs during six-week residencies in select counties across North Carolina.
• Travel as needed, recording of all program mileage.
• Maintain active communication with NCMA staff and the teaching artist to understand timelines and program goals.
• Participate in collaborative studio practices including class setup and cleanup and follow all necessary safety procedures.
• Participate in creative brainstorming, problem-solving, and art making.
• Express cultural sensitivity and appreciation for diverse youth of rural communities.
• Engage in appropriate and meaningful conversation and mentorship with participating youth to encourage and educate.

REQUIREMENTS

• Currently pursuing a degree or have equivalent experience in studio art, art education, arts management, or related field in AFA, BA, BFA, MA, or MFA program
• Have access to reliable transportation and be able to drive up to an hour one way to a residency location.
• Display strong interest in working with and educating middle school–aged youth to inspire creativity and innovative problem-solving
• Possess attitude of empathy, inclusion, and understanding
• Be responsible, with ability to remain flexible and dedicated to program
• Have experience with or is seeking to develop lesson-planning and teaching techniques in a classroom studio setting.
• Undergo background check before working with youth

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 works 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., museum 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

• Currently enrolled in a degree program in art education, studio art, museum studies, nonprofit management, or a related field
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable engaging with the public and working with artists and Museum staff.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Availability of 10–15 hours/week, with occasional evening or weekend shifts required.

Are you interested in finding out what happens behind the scenes at the NCMA? The Registration team has principal oversight of the collection and provides crucial back-of-house support for a dynamic changing exhibition schedule. Dependent upon academic background, interests, and talents of the intern, responsibilities may include some or all the following:

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be a part of the Exhibitions team during installation/deinstallation periods in the galleries.
• Assist with processing forms related to loans and exhibitions such as receipts, loan agreements, and condition report forms.
• Assist with annual inventory of the NCMA collection including updating locations in the collections database
• Continue the indexing of files related to previous bequests to the NCMA. Help with reorganizing and rehousing file contents.

REQUIREMENTS

• 10–15 hours/week, flexible schedule
• Undergraduate or graduate student with a background in art history, history, museum studies, or library science
• Familiarity with Excel, good written and verbal communication skills, and attention to detail are a plus