2024 12-Month Internship, Curatorial at The Museum of Modern Art

About the 12-Month Internship Program

Full-time, 12-month internships with stipends are offered for recent college graduates interested in pursuing a museum career. The focused departmental training is integrated with the fall, spring, and summer lecture series and complemented with financial provisions for the interns to create a research trip related to their field of interest. Additionally, monthly activities are designed specifically for this cohort to receive greater exposure to the museum and art fields.

Curatorial Department Interns will be a part of a larger cohort of interns from various MoMA departments. Twelve-month internships provide training in specific museum fields through close work with professional staff members, familiarity with modern and contemporary art through seminars and discussions, and an educational program that exposes interns to the workings of the Museum as a whole, while considering the role of museums in the broader cultural context.

More about Curatorial Departments

Interns will assist with exhibition and collection research, processing collection documentation or curatorial files, archiving and other duties as assigned. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated experience with and interest in research and writing within Art History or a similar discipline. Candidates should be confident, organized, articulate, and professional. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint is required, as is the ability to perform basic functions in Excel. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical. Must be detail-oriented and conscientious and have the ability to multitask.

Placement
Each Intern will be placed into a different curatorial department based on need, areas of interest and experience. Applicants will be asked to list a preference during the application process but candidates may be considered for departments other than their first preference. Below are the participating departments. Additional departments may be added.

• Archives, Libraries, and Research Collections
• Film
• Painting & Sculpture (Master’s Degree is preferred)
• Photography
• Publications

Multiple vacancies are available for this position.

Required Commitment
This program will run from approximately October 2024 to September 2025. This program requires a full-time commitment (Monday-Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm).

Eligibility
Recent graduates of bachelor’s or master’s degree programs. The Museum encourages
candidates from diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines to apply. International candidates are eligible to apply.

As a sponsor of the J-1 visa program, the Museum is committed to providing opportunities for international students and emerging professionals to learn about the practices and organizational systems of an American museum.

Stipend
$42,000 stipend (gross), subject to applicable tax withholdings. Health benefits, two weeks paid vacation, and an additional $2,000 to cover travel expenses for an approved research trip related to the intern’s field of interest.

Application Deadline

Priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by August 12, 2024. Additional applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as vacancies become available.

How to Apply

Application Requirements

The following items are required as part of your online application through MoMA’s UKG Recruiting Portal:

• A résumé/curriculum vitae in PDF format
• At least 1 letter of recommendation, in PDF format, directly uploaded to your application
• A transcript, in PDF format, directly uploaded to your application (unofficial transcripts are accepted). 
• A essay submitted in PDF format. Essay should be no longer than 650 words and answer the prompt below as follows:
  • Why are you interested in participating in an internship at The Museum of Modern Art? In response, be sure to address both:
    a) The role of museums and how you envision their potential for evolution.
    b) Individual or an experience that has influenced your perception of the arts.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application, please reach out to internships@moma.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement: Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).