Apply via SOLAA to program ID #141 for the National Museum of African American History and Culture Internship Program and program ID #3121 for the Robert F. Smith Internship Program. Applicants should include the specific opportunities that interest them in their application essay. Listed start and end dates are tentative as internship durations are flexible and arranged in coordination with the mentor if an offer is extended. Applicants can submit only one application for the National Museum of African American History and Culture Internship Program and may apply for up to a maximum of three internship positions within their application. Incomplete applications and applications without selected positions may not be considered.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture will offer available internships as either virtual (online and remote) or hybrid (virtual with the opportunity for 1-2 days onsite a week as scheduled) experiences to meet current health and safety guidelines set forth by the Smithsonian Institution.
Information on other internship opportunities at the Smithsonian can be found at the Office of Internship Program’s website.
There are no positions available in this area at this time. Please check back again in the future.
Haitian and African American Connections Project Assistant Internship
Full-Time Virtual Internship
Stipend Offered
June 5 – August 11, 2023
Desired Majors and Areas of Study: Enrollment in or completion of a Masters in African American, African Diaspora, Caribbean, or Haitian studies
The Office of Curatorial Affairs (OCA), including the Centers, facilitates the intellectual work of the Museum by collecting artifacts, ensuring collection preservation and stewardship, conducting research and scholarship, and sharing the rich history and culture of African Americans and all people of African descent with a diverse public in accessible, multifaceted ways including exhibition, digitization, and publication.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. One of its foundational pillars is to help all Americans see how their stories, their histories, and their cultures are shaped and informed by global influences. One sphere of global influence is the long established and deeply rooted artistic and cultural intersections between Black Americans and Haitians. The museum has an interest in developing a project that explores these connections and is offering an internship in association with the planning of this initiative. Rooted in the models set by the cultural exchanges and artistic productions that emerged out of the Harlem Renaissance period in the United States and the indigenism period in Haiti, this initiative will consider where these connections exist today and the synergies that historically and contemporaneously allow them to flourish and be sustained. The initiative will draw from a wide cross-section of artistic genres including music, literature, fashion, art, foodways, museum curation, and more.
The Haitian and African American Connections Intern will work directly with the Supervisory Museum Curator of the African Diaspora with the goal of deepening their knowledge of this topic and developing and refining content research skills. The intern will be given the opportunity to learn program/project development at its conceptual stages, practice critical thinking skills as it applies to audience centered projects, and gain familiarity with museum operations in a curatorial department. By the end of the internship, the Haitian and African American Connections Intern will have gained an understanding of curatorial research processes and museum-specific program development practices. Applicants should be enrolled in or completed a Masters in African American, African Diaspora, Caribbean or Haitian studies; Be able to provide evidence of strong research and writing skills; And excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficiency in French or Haitian Creole is preferred.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Research and communicate with Haitian and African American organizations and professionals
- Gather content on SI's Haiti related content for a potential resource guide
- Research the history of African American and Haitian cultural intersections
- Research contemporary influencers of Haitian descent across multi-disciplinary arts
- Develop and refine a list of scholarly and community advisors
- Assist in the execution of an advisory committee meeting
- Assist with the development of a conceptual framework for the project
Annie Bell Shepherd Curatorial Internship: Black Women’s Activism, 19th century—Present
Full-Time Hybrid Internship
Stipend Offered
June 5 - September 1, 2023
Desired Majors or Areas of Study: African American Studies; Public History; Museum Studies; History; Anthropology; Design; Architecture
The Annie Bell Shepherd Curatorial Internship was created to honor Annie Bell’s legacy and the history of so many who migrate and dream of a better future. Annie Bell Shepherd was born on September 12, 1912 in Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. During the Great Migration, Annie Bell moved north to pursue a better life and settled in Detroit, Michigan where she worked, became a devoted homemaker, caretaker, and education advocate. After she retired, she dedicated the rest of her life to serving her community. The Annie Bell Shepherd Curatorial Internship celebrates Annie Bell’s commitment to education and provides opportunities for individuals interested in gaining curatorial experience in a museum setting. This internship resides within the Office of Curatorial Affairs (OCA) at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) which facilitates the intellectual work of the Museum by collecting artifacts, ensuring collection preservation and stewardship, conducting research and scholarship, and sharing the rich history and culture of African Americans and all people of African descent with a diverse public in accessible, multifaceted ways including exhibition, digitization, and publication.
The Annie Bell Shepherd Curatorial Intern will serve as research assistant on an exciting project that combines interest in the long history of Black women’s activism and museum exhibition design. This internship is designed to introduce candidates to the methods and meaning of designing an exhibition related to Black women’s history at NMAAHC and how Black women’s history is interpreted at the Smithsonian. Over the course of the internship, the intern will develop skills in storytelling, design, research, and audience engagement through objects in the collection and the exhibition space. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated interest in Black women’s history and activism, research experience, and museum exhibition design, and possess strong communication and time management skills.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Conduct archival and artifact research related to Black women activists and activism to help develop exhibition content and support collecting efforts
- Assist with exhibition design and planning on collaborative team
- Develop narratives of activists and activism, relating to Mary McLeod Bethune, NCNW, BLM, and beyond, for exhibition script and related online content
- Assist with project that highlights the objects and exhibit spaces at NMAAHC related to Black women’s history
- Establish recommendations for interpretation of Black women’s activism in future museum exhibitions
Design and Architecture Curatorial Research Internship
Full-Time Virtual Internship
Stipend Offered
June 5 – August 11, 2023
Desired Majors or Areas of Study: Design; Architecture; Art History; Visual Culture; African American/African Diaspora studies; American Studies; Literature; History
The Office of Curatorial Affairs (OCA), including the Centers, facilitates the intellectual work of the Museum by collecting artifacts, ensuring collection preservation and stewardship, conducting research and scholarship, and sharing the rich history and culture of African Americans and all people of African descent with a diverse public in accessible, multifaceted ways including exhibition, digitization, and publication.
The Culture division of OCA documents, collects and preserves information and materials related to the cultural heritage of African Americans and other select groups, whose actions have influenced and/or contributed to the African American experience, including those associated with the African Diaspora. Specific areas of focus include: sports, music, the performing arts, oral history, literary arts, dress and textiles, decorative arts, foodways and folklife in their many diverse forms.
The Design and Architecture Curatorial Research Internship will focus on research related to collections development and interpretation and will research and write about designers in various fields. Working closely with the museum's Curator of Architecture and Design, the intern will learn about the stages of the collections and acquisitions process, curatorial decision-making, and translating research into interpretive content for general audiences. The intern will also gain an understanding of how curatorial content, whether for exhibitions or online engagement, is developed through the process of research, writing, discussion, and revision. The Design and Architecture Curatorial Research Intern will receive guidance in conducting and presenting research (from collections research to writing for online platforms). Mentorship for the selected intern will include identifying career tracks within museums and suggesting meeting opportunities with museum professionals. Graduate student level (M.A. or PhD) candidates preferred for this opportunity.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Research on black architects and black designers
- Writing about architecture and design collections at NMAAHC
- Assisting curator with correspondence related to curatorial projects
- Organizing and tracking research and other materials for curatorial use
- Developing concepts and ideas to highlight architecture and design at NMAAHC
- Creating slide presentations and presenting research to mentoring curator and colleagues
- Participating in department meetings and team meetings about the curatorial project
African American and Afro-Caribbean Curatorial Research Assistant Internship
Full-Time Virtual Internship
Stipend Offered
June 5 – August 11, 2023
Desired Majors and Areas of Study: African American studies; Anthropology; Diaspora and ethnic studies; Folklife; English; History
The African American and Afro-Caribbean Curatorial Research Assistant Internship is within the Office of Curatorial Affairs (OCA) at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). OCA including the Centers, facilitates the intellectual work of the Museum by collecting artifacts, ensuring collection preservation and stewardship, conducting research and scholarship, and sharing the rich history and culture of African Americans and all people of African descent with a diverse public in accessible, multifaceted ways including exhibition, digitization, and publication. OCA is comprised of many different divisions and teams including: Administration, Collections/Acquisitions, History, Culture, Visual Art, Collections Management, Conservation, DigiTeam, Registrar's Office, Oral History, Archives, The Centers and the Scholarly Advisor Committee.
The African American and Afro-Caribbean Curatorial Research Assistant Intern will assist with the acquisition, research, and writing of reports related to African American and Afro-Caribbean cultural objects intended for the museum’s collection and the Cultural Expressions permanent exhibition. The selected intern can expect to practice and develop scholarly research skills as applied to curatorial work as well as to gain exposure to the operational side of collections acquisition and interpretation. They will engage with various team members in OCA. The intern will also assist with content coordination related to the museum’s partnership with the Museums Association of the Caribbean 2023 conference. This coordination will involve research, writing and organization of program topics as well as logistical support. Strong research, writing and critical thinking skills are required. It is preferred that the candidate is majoring in either museum or cultural heritage studies, anthropology or fields related to African American or African diaspora studies. The intern can expect to be introduced to museum operations within a curatorial department, have the opportunity to practice curatorial and collections research, and learn to develop museum related programs.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Conduct and organize topical research
- Assist with collections objects identification and research
- Draft acquisition proposals and reports
- Communicate with conference participants and potential object donors
- Provide logistical support and assistance for the planning of conference schedule
Center for the Study of Global Slavery Curatorial Internship
Full-Time Virtual Internship
Stipend Offered
June 5-August 14, 2023
Desired Majors and Areas of Study: A preferred background in African American or African diasporic history; Archaeology; or Anthropology.
The Center for the Study of Global Slavery Internship is within the Office of Curatorial Affairs (OCA) at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). OCA including the Centers, facilitates the intellectual work of the Museum by collecting artifacts, ensuring collection preservation and stewardship, conducting research and scholarship, and sharing the rich history and culture of African Americans and all people of African descent with a diverse public in accessible, multifaceted ways including exhibition, digitization, and publication. OCA is comprised of many different divisions and teams including: Administration, Collections/Acquisitions, History, Culture, Visual Art, Collections Management, Conservation, DigiTeam, Registrar's Office, Oral History, Archives, The Centers and the Scholarly Advisor Committee.
The Center for the Study of Global Slavery (CSGS) is an outward facing center that is built upon collaboration and dedicated to revealing the scope and the impact of slavery as well as recognizing the resilience of people of African descent throughout the African diaspora in resistance to slavery. It is the purpose of CSGS to leverage the power of the NMAAHC not just nationally but on a global scale. The Center provides an understanding of slavery as shared human history beyond region, nation and race, and as something relevant to understanding our local communities and global societies in the 21st century. It is comprised of multiple interconnected initiatives, each of which is committed to fashioning hope even while emphasizing slavery’s history of catastrophe and despair.
The CSGS Intern will work with Center staff on our signature exhibition project, "In Slavery's Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World" and assist with research and exhibition development tasks related to the ongoing development of the exhibition. The intern may also assist on other CSGS projects, including the Slave Wrecks Project and Slave Voyages. The CSGS Intern will learn about the exhibition development experience, inclusive of research, writing, curation/object selection, planning, and collegiality; and digital humanities projects; and working in global collaborations.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Supporting center's two major international collaborative initiatives: The Slave Wrecks Project and the Global Curatorial Project
- Assist with content research for exhibitions in development including research on objects, images and archives
- Engage in the development of digital products to support the Center’s work, including blog posts, outreach, and story research
Sports and Race Initiative Curatorial Internship
Part-Time Virtual Internship
Stipend Offered
June 5 – August 11, 2023
Desired Majors and Areas of Study: History; American Studies; African American Studies; Kinesiology; Sociology; Anthropology; Sports Studies
The Office of Curatorial Affairs (OCA), including the Centers, facilitates the intellectual work of the Museum by collecting artifacts, ensuring collection preservation and stewardship, conducting research and scholarship, and sharing the rich history and culture of African Americans and all people of African descent with a diverse public in accessible, multifaceted ways including exhibition, digitization, and publication.
The Culture division of OCA documents, collects and preserves information and materials related to the cultural heritage of African Americans and other select groups, whose actions have influenced and/or contributed to the African American experience, including those associated with the African Diaspora. Specific areas of focus include: sports, music, the performing arts, oral history, literary arts, dress and textiles, decorative arts, foodways and folklife in their many diverse forms.
The Sports and Race Initiative (SRI) was created because the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) recognizes that sports provide a unique entry point into the African American experience. Given the centrality of sports to American life, the influence of athletes, and the ability of sports to bring together cross sections of individuals, regardless of race, gender, and socio-cultural backgrounds, sports bridge barriers that are frequently difficult to navigate. As the nation continues to struggle with how to deal with the legacies of race, gender and sexual inclusivity, and continuing inequality; sports, perhaps more than any other institution has been a public space that has facilitated national discussions about equality, opportunity, and access to the American Dream.
The Sports and Race Initiative Curatorial Intern for the Sports and Race Initiative will assist the Supervisory Curator of Sports and other members of the Sports and Race Initiative team with exhibition-related tasks including object acquisition, and program-related activities. They will conduct research and work on a variety of projects involving the permanent collection, and sports-related programming. This internship is principally designed to help interns engage one of the most important aspects of curatorial work: collecting objects. Some projects will overlap with other departments, enabling interns to gain broad exposure to other areas of museum operations. The intern will develop their professional communication skills and learn about how historical research is conducted, and how public history is differentiated.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Supporting the acquisition, cataloguing, interpretation, and exhibition of objects and artifacts
- Developing, implementing, and evaluating sports-related programs and projects for the Sports and Race Initiative
- Performing a variety of duties related to the delivery of sports-related programming by NMAAHC including meeting deadlines, drafting documents with specified formats and reviewing materials
- Working in support of writing and media projects for scholarly and public audiences
- Providing historical and cultural research for objects, graphics, photographs, audio and visual media, and/or other contextual material to support the sports-related content for the Museum’s collection and exhibitions using current scholarship, archival resources, genealogical resources, and oral history
- Assist the Supervisory Curator of Sports with object acquisitions
There are no positions available in this area at this time. Please check back again in the future.
There are no positions available in this area at this time. Please check back again in the future.
There are no positions available in this area at this time. Please check back again in the future.
Media Internship
Part-Time Virtual Internship
Stipend Offered
June 5 – September 1, 2023
Desired Majors and Areas of Study: Public Relations; Journalism; Communication; English; Political Science
The Media Internship is located within the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). OPA oversees all media, marketing, communications, social media and web content for the Museum. The primary role of the department is to promote the Museum’s exhibitions, public programs and educational initiatives. This department is also responsible for enhancing the Museum's brand and reputation. Staff members develop communications plans and publicity campaigns for events, exhibition openings, fundraising, special events and membership activities.
The Media Intern will propose creative ideas to contribute to a fast pace dynamic External Affairs Department. The intern will gain insight into the inner workings of the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). When the internship is completed, the intern will develop verbal, written, and professional skills and understand what makes compelling news and be ready to enter any fast-paced public relations firm.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Manage system for daily compiling, recording, and dissemination of news clips for staff and support work of OPA
- Produce PowerPoint media reports on media events and success of media outreach with appropriate metrics included
- Manage system for issuing media passes on behalf of OPA
- Assist with media memo compilation and support in staffing of media interview with curators
- Assist in writing of press releases and other media collateral for media outreach
- Perform basic media research and pulling of media list
- Become familiar with galleries, collections by viewing museum and attending open meetings and programs
Marketing Internship
Full-Time Virtual Internship
Stipend Offered
June 5 – September 1, 2023
Desired Majors and Areas of Study: Marketing; Social Media; Strategic Communications; Content Creation; Creative Writing; Graphic Design
The Marketing Internship is located within the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). OPA oversees all media, marketing, communications, social media and web content for the Museum. The primary role of the department is to promote the Museum’s exhibitions, public programs and educational initiatives. This department is also responsible for enhancing the Museum's brand and reputation. Staff members develop communications plans and publicity campaigns for events, exhibition openings, fundraising, special events and membership activities.
The Marketing Intern will gain valuable experiences in the areas of communications, marketing, and social media content creation. They will assist with monitoring and reporting on the success of social media initiatives and use storytelling techniques to bring objects in the museum collection to life online. The intern can anticipate interacting with museum audiences across platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat; developing an enhanced understanding of advertising, branding and marketing principles; creating strategies, plans and creative concepts to reach targeted audiences; applying tools to facilitate asset management and improve marketing operations; analyzing data and information to identify opportunities and track trends. Experience with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, and the professional use of social media platforms preferred. Applicants should submit a writing and/or creative sample.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Conducting research and gathering information to assist with the process of selecting, securing and tracking advertising placements
- Record keeping and gathering materials for procurement, informational and briefing packages
- Proposing ideas for engaging and compelling print and online graphic products including advertisements (print, online, social media), signage, posters, flyers, press kits and other marketing materials
- Research and implement new creative strategies for expanding social media reach
- Produce writing and multimedia products that meet the high-quality standards of the Smithsonian Institution
- Interface effectively with many kinds of museum staff including curators, educators, exhibition designers, and others
- Attend NMAAHC virtual events to develop content for blog and other social media platforms
Web Content Assistant Internship
Part-Time Virtual Internship
Stipend Offered
June 5 – September 1, 2023
Desired Majors or Areas of Study: Computer Science; Communications; History; Journalism; Mass Communications
The Web Content Internship is located within the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). OPA oversees all media, marketing, communications, social media and web content for the Museum. The primary role of the department is to promote the Museum’s exhibitions, public programs and educational initiatives. This department is also responsible for enhancing the Museum's brand and reputation. Staff members develop communications plans and publicity campaigns for events, exhibition openings, fundraising, special events and membership activities.
The Web Content Intern will work with NMAAHC staff, fellow interns and others to edit, design and evaluate content on the museum's Drupal website. In addition, they will assist with the implementation of a lively editorial calendar of future web content. The intern will have the opportunity to apply and strengthen web content development skills while learning how to implement Museum web projects at various stages; expand and deepen writing and editing skills while working with a diverse staff and changing subject matter; learn new technical skills as the new media landscape evolves; and produce web content that meet the high-quality standards of the Smithsonian Institution. The intern will become familiar with museum education practices, how museums work, and how this translates to digital web content. Candidates should have a basic proficiency in Drupal, Search Engine Optimization, AP Style and web or graphic design principles and best practices.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
• Gathering credits for collection objects posted on the NMAAHC website
• Responding to web requests
• Creating and/or editing webpages and blog posts related to Juneteenth, Afrofuturism, Special Events, etc.
• Editing/proofreading blog posts prior to publishing
• Searching Getty Images for feature images and videos for blog posts
Applications for Robert F. Smith Internships onsite at NMAAHC for Summer 2023 are due February 15, 2023. All RFS Internships are paid at a rate of $850 per week.
If you also wish to be considered for an offsite position within the RFS Internship Program, you must submit an application via the Online Form in addition to the onsite application via SOLAA. Please visit the program website to learn more.
There are no positions available in this area at this time. Please check back again in the future.