Unveiling Opportunities: The Guggenheim Museum Internship Program
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum offers a variety of internships designed to provide practical museum training to individuals seeking careers in the arts and museum sectors. These internships offer a comprehensive understanding of how a museum department operates and the specific skills required for its activities.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria
The Guggenheim Museum welcomes applications from a diverse range of candidates, including:
- Students of junior-year college level or above
- Recent graduates
- Graduate students
- Postgraduates
- Mature professionals pursuing further experience in the arts
The museum welcomes candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
To be eligible for the Summer 2026 Internship Program, applicants must have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies. Priority is given to rising juniors or seniors in undergraduate programs and to graduate students.
A Deep Dive into the Internship Experience
Interns are assigned to a specific department based on their academic background, professional skills, interests, and career goals. This allows for a focused and relevant learning experience. The assignment provides interns with a broad understanding of how a particular department functions within the context of a major museum. They also gain specific knowledge and skills related to departmental responsibilities.
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The Guggenheim New York is committed to supporting the aspirations of early career arts professionals. In support of the museum's Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion plan, the Internship Program creates paths that lead to a more inclusive and diverse institution and arts field.
Museum Culture Seminar Program
To supplement the Internship Program, the Museum Culture Seminar Program is incorporated. This program includes site visits to other New York arts and cultural institutions. It also facilitates discussions with a broad array of arts and museum professionals, including Guggenheim staff.
Museum Culture Seminars are mandatory weekly professional development meetings that bring together interns from different departments to connect and learn from one another. Museum Culture Seminars will be held at the museum and include presentations by Guggenheim New York staff and other arts professionals, as well as discussions of current issues and trends within the field. They may also include the opportunity for field trips to other institutions.
For the Summer 2026 Internship program, participants are expected to be available on Fridays from 10 am-12 pm for Museum Culture Seminars.
Internship Cycles and Time Commitment
The Guggenheim Museum Internship Program operates on a yearly calendar divided into three cycles:
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- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Spring and fall internships require a commitment of at least two days per week, in addition to participation in the Museum Culture Seminar program. The number of hours depends on the preference of the department. Summer internships are full-time, either four or five days per week, in addition to participation in the Museum Culture Seminar program.
The Summer 2026 Internship Program will begin on June 8, 2026, and end on July 31, 2026. The Internship requires a commitment of 30 hours per week for the full 8 weeks.
Financial Aspects and Practical Considerations
Although academic credit can often be arranged through interns’ own colleges and universities, internships are typically unpaid.
However, the Summer 2025 Internship Program is a paid opportunity. The Guggenheim Museum is pleased to offer interns $20 per hour for their participation in the program. The precise days and hours will be determined in consultation with the supervising staff prior to the start of the program.
The Guggenheim does not provide housing.
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Opportunities for International Candidates
International candidates are welcome and encouraged to apply. The Guggenheim Museum Internship Program is designated by the US Government as a J-1 training program. The museum will work with accepted applicants to assist them in procuring the necessary forms for a maximum three-month non-extendable and non-transferable J-1 visa.
How to Apply
To apply for one of the Guggenheim's internships, applicants need to prepare specific materials. Following an initial review of the applicants, a small group will be selected for in-person, Skype, or telephone interviews.
The Hilla von Rebay Foundation Funding
In honor of Baroness Hilla von Rebay, the Guggenheim Museum’s first director, The Hilla von Rebay Foundation generously provides funding for up to thirteen summer interns who are currently enrolled graduate students or recent graduates of a graduate-level program. To apply, please respond to the following prompt: In your own words, briefly describe the role and responsibilities of the present-day art museum. Also, explain your interest in museum work and what you believe you can contribute to the departments you preference in your application form.
Statement of Interest
A Statement of Interest is a crucial part of the application. In one page, applicants should describe their interest in and objectives in obtaining an internship with the specific department at the Guggenheim Museum. It's important to highlight how previous experiences have prepared them for the internship.
Deadline
For example, the Application Deadline for the Summer 2026 Internship Program is Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
Available Positions: A Glimpse into the Curatorial and Publications Department
For the Summer 2026 Internship program, one position is available in the Curatorial and Publications department. Priority will be given to students with a demonstrated background in art history.
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