Digital Art Internships: Launching Your Creative Career

The world of digital art is constantly evolving, offering exciting opportunities for aspiring artists and creatives. Internships in this field provide invaluable experience, allowing students and recent graduates to gain practical skills, build professional networks, and explore potential career paths. This article explores the landscape of digital art internships, highlighting opportunities, key skills, and application strategies.

The Value of Digital Art Internships

Digital art internships offer college undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates valuable insights into the operations of a professional museum environment. These internships provide a unique opportunity to work with professional staff, assist on internal and external projects, and learn about permanent collections and artist-in-residence programs. Interns gain valuable work experience as well as the opportunity to develop connections with other museum professionals. Throughout the program, interns build connections with educators, curators, and cultural workers who are redefining the field.

Internship Opportunities

Several organizations offer structured internship programs specifically tailored to digital art and related fields. These programs provide hands-on experience in various aspects of the industry. Here are some examples:

Studio Museum Institute Internships

The Studio Museum in Harlem offers internships across various departments, providing exposure to the inner workings of a museum. Depending on departmental needs, internships may be offered in the following areas: Communications, Collections, Curatorial, Director’s Office, Development, Education, Visitor Services, and Operations. Interns must commit to 20 hours per week and are required to be on-site at least three days, Monday through Friday, with full-day attendance on Tuesdays. Interns receive a semesterly stipend, distributed biweekly over the course of the internship. In addition, all interns receive a travel stipend to help cover transportation to and from the Museum’s office in Harlem.

Communications Department Internship

The Communications Intern will work with the Communications Department to perform functions critical to communicating the Studio Museum’s mission and offerings to Museum stakeholders, the press, and our diverse audiences. The Communications Intern will learn about institutional voice, communications strategy, and media relations best practices, and will assist with creating various forms of content for the institution’s administrative, programming, and exhibition needs. The Communications Intern will also perform administrative tasks to support the maintenance of the Communication Department’s records. The Communications Internships are designed for mature undergraduate students, graduate students, or recent graduates interested in careers in arts communications, media studies, social marketing, design, or related fields.

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Collections Department Internship

The Collections Intern will be involved in a range of collection and exhibition management projects with special attention to collection stewardship. The internship will engage interested candidates in museum registration tasks focused on collection administration. Potential projects may also include supporting the Registrar, the Collections Database Manager, and the Archivist with research, administrative projects, and collection file reviews. The Collections Internship position is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring/minoring in museum studies, or a related field.

Curatorial Department Internship

The Curatorial Intern will work under the direction of the Curatorial Assistants. Interns will be involved in a range of curatorial research projects. A key component of this internship will be conducting research and writing for objects and artists represented in the permanent collection, as well as administrative tasks to support the department’s curatorial library. Projects will also include deep research on mission specific-related exhibitions happening globally. The intern may also be completing administrative tasks for exhibition-related projects. The Curatorial Internship position is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring or minoring in Art History, Visual Culture, or a related field.

Development Department Internship

The Development Intern will work closely with members of the Development team to help with the Museum’s fundraising efforts. Previous fundraising, marketing, or public relations experience is helpful but not required. The Development Internship is designed for undergraduate and graduate students and recent college graduates interested in careers in Arts Administration, Marketing, or related fields.

Director’s Office Department Internship

The Director’s Office Intern will help develop and execute a diverse range of strategic initiatives. Responsibilities include assisting with projects that support the Ford Foundation Director and Chief Curator and the Chief of Staff. Specific projects include institutional history and artist related research; drafting internal correspondence; creating presentations on behalf of the Director’s Office, administrative support; updating documents; logistical support; and other research as assigned. This position is suited for a candidate eager to gain familiarity with the administrative responsibilities and strategic planning required for a career in nonprofit organizational management and external affairs. Candidates should note that this is not a curatorial position; individuals considering careers in the arts administration sector are encouraged to apply. Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite is required. Excellent research, writing and communication skills, as well as meticulous attention to detail, are essential. The Director’s Office internship is designed for college sophomores, juniors, seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students.

Learning & Engagement Department Internship

The Education Intern will work within the Learning & Engagement Department's Education team, providing interns with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of museum education and the impact of arts and cultural programming on society. The Education Intern will work closely with department staff on a series of projects that contribute to the development of digital programs and online education content, enhancing opportunities for learning, connection, and leadership across communities. The Education Intern will perform research informed by their own areas of interest and designed to support the department’s goals to develop tools and methods that serve our constituents’ short- and long-term needs through accessible, impactful programs and resources, in preparation for the new building opening. There will be several opportunities for hands-on community programming during the Fall. The Education Internship is designed for third- and fourth-year undergraduates, recent graduates, and master’s candidates who are preparing for careers in Art Education, Museum Education, Arts Administration, Fine Arts, Art History, Creative Arts Therapy or related field.

Visitor Experience Department Internship

The Visitor Experience Intern will work closely with the Director of Visitor Experience and the Associate Director of Product Development to help with the Studio Museum’s direct relationship to Black owned businesses and makers. The database will be used to strengthen the Museum store's relationship to merchandising partners, develop a possible wholesale program with other storefronts, and become a reference point for the Visitor Experience Department's recommendations for local Black owned stores and restaurants. Previous visitor experience, customer service, public or business outreach experience is helpful but not required. The Visitor Experience internship is designed for college students and recent graduates.

Harvestworks Internships

Harvestworks offers general internships with a minimum commitment of 120 hours, working one day a week. Arrangements for full-time internships (from a couple of weeks up to a year) can be made. In return for time worked, interns can gain teaching experience through their “Interns Teach Interns” initiative, production experience with their Artists In Residence, and receive access to lab equipment free of charge. Individual arrangements can be made. Based upon their background, interests, and the availability of projects, interns may work on audio, video, or other technical projects, teach other interns and clients, assist clients or students, do marketing for Harvestworks, write press releases, maintain their computer lab, and perform administrative duties. They are interested in specialists in Max/MSP/Jitter, Adobe Creative Cloud, Ableton, Processing, WordPress, and other digital media tools.

Data Visualization/Sonification Internship at Harvestworks

In this group, interns at Harvestworks are using data to produce a performative installation. Seismic data is visualized and sonified as the destruction of our planet. The purpose of this installation is to explore the cyclical relationship between human and earth. The goal is to perform an audio/visual piece using the data of tweets tagged with #harvestworks. Harvestworks will be asking its followers to tweet a note, and algorithms will process this data into the performance in real-time.

Hybrid AIR Instrument Group Internship at Harvestworks

The Hybrid AIR Instrument Group is a collaboration between artists in residence and interns at Harvestworks to create instruments using Max / MSP and Arduino. The group is focused on combining the interactivity of Arduino with the audio capabilities of Max / MSP to create instruments.

The Bronx Museum’s Teen Council and Teen Summer Program

The Bronx Museum invites New York City high school students between the ages of 14-19 to apply for the fall, spring, and/or summer sessions of their exciting youth internship program. Teens are paid a stipend for their participation in Teen Council! There are two four-month sessions of Teen Council per year: one in the fall and one in the spring. Participants meet twice a week after school at the Museum. The Bronx Museum’s Teen Summer program engages participants in a collaborative exploration of art, community, and the role of museums in our current time. Teens are paid for their participation in Teen Summer! The program takes place over four weeks during the NYC public school summer break. Participants meet at the Museum three afternoons per week.

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Arts Intern College Program

The Arts Intern College Program offers paid internship opportunities to skilled college undergraduates with financial needs, allowing them to explore careers in the arts. Through these summer internships, students can gain valuable experience in visual and performing arts, as well as cultural organizations within their cities. Opportunities are available in various departments, including archives, community engagement, curatorial, collections, design, education, marketing, and more.

Key Skills and Qualifications

While specific requirements vary depending on the internship, some common skills and qualifications are highly valued:

Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with digital art software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), 3D modeling software, and other relevant tools.
Artistic Skills: A strong foundation in art principles, design, and visual communication.
Creativity and Innovation: The ability to generate original ideas and approaches to problem-solving.
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for collaborating with teams and presenting ideas.
Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to ensure accuracy and quality in all work.
Passion for the Arts: A genuine interest in digital art and a desire to learn and contribute to the field.

Application Strategies

Securing a digital art internship requires a strategic approach. Here are some tips to increase your chances of success:

Tailor Your Application: Carefully review the internship description and tailor your resume, cover letter, and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
Showcase Your Portfolio: Create a professional online portfolio showcasing your best digital art projects. Include a variety of styles and techniques to demonstrate your versatility.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize any previous experience in digital art, design, or related fields, including freelance work, personal projects, and academic coursework.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Explain why you are interested in the specific internship and how your skills and experiences align with the organization's mission and goals.
Seek Recommendations: Obtain letters of recommendation from professors, mentors, or previous employers who can attest to your skills and work ethic.
Prepare for Interviews: Research the organization and be prepared to discuss your portfolio, skills, and career aspirations. Practice answering common interview questions.
Follow Application Instructions: Submit all required materials by the deadline and adhere to any specific formatting or submission guidelines.
Follow Up: After submitting your application, send a brief follow-up email to express your continued interest and reiterate your qualifications.
Persistence: Don't be discouraged if you don't get every internship you apply for. Keep refining your skills and portfolio, and continue seeking opportunities.

Application Information and Deadlines

Deadlines and application requirements vary for each internship program. Here's an overview of the application information for the Studio Museum Institute Internships:

To be considered, applicants must submit the following: Resume, a cover letter, a writing sample (no more than 5 pages).
Please check the Studio Museum's Career page often to see when Internship have officially opened.
Spring Internship (14 weeks)
- Applications Open: October 6
- Applications Close: November 3
- Start Date: January 12
- End Date: April 17
Summer Internship (10 weeks)
- Applications Open: February 16
- Applications Close: March 13
- Start Date: June 1
- End Date: August 7
Fall Internship (14 weeks)
- Applications Open: June 29
- Applications Close: July 31
- Start Date: September 14
- End Date: December 18

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is eligible to apply for the Arts Intern College Program? Current college students (undergraduate) enrolled in accredited institutions. Some roles may specify majors or coursework.
Can I apply to multiple internships with the Arts Intern College Program? Yes, in your city. Submit tailored applications for each role. Be sure to follow each posting’s instructions.
What should my cover letter include for the Arts Intern College Program? A brief narrative of your interests, relevant skills, and why you’re excited about the specific organization and role.
Will there be interviews for the Arts Intern College Program? Selected candidates will be contacted directly by the college team to schedule interviews with the organization.
Accessibility and accommodations for the Arts Intern College Program? If you require accommodations, indicate this in your application and notify the organization’s HR/contact person.
When will I hear back about my application for the Arts Intern College Program? Reviews typically conclude within 2-3 weeks after February 28.
Are you a nonprofit arts and cultural organization interested in hosting an Arts Intern for summer? If so, consider becoming an Arts Intern College Worksite.
Are internship positions paid at the Studio Museum Institute? Yes, all internship positions are paid. Only individuals authorized to work for the Museum in the United States will be accepted into the internship program. The Museum will consider expressions of interest in providing volunteer services to the Museum from non-work authorized individuals.
Can I receive academic credit for participating in the internship at the Studio Museum Institute? You may receive credit for participating in the internship, however it is the intern’s responsibility to initiate the process with their academic advisor or professor, and shepherd any required administrative materials between the university and Museum. Please be sure to communicate your interest in receiving internship credits to your supervisor immediately upon acceptance to the program, since many academic programs require supervisor information, evaluations, and/or other materials to award credit.
Will I be contacted if I am not selected for an interview at the Studio Museum Institute? Only candidates who have been selected for interviews will be contacted directly regarding their application status by the posted notification date, due to the volume of applications we receive each season. If you have not heard back before that date, you have not been considered for a position and we encourage you to consider re-applying in the future.
Can I take vacation during the internship at the Studio Museum Institute? No, the internship program requires a full commitment, and does not make allowances for vacation. Interns are expected to be present for the duration of the program to work meaningfully toward project goals, and to avoid missing out on a the variety of programs and workshops throughout the course of the program that are designed to enhance interns’ professional development.

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