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Museum Collections Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Foreperson

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$72K - $83K/yr

Oversee the propagation, potting, watering, and pruning of diverse plant collections. * Ensure ... Museum Pass, which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for ...

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How much do museum collections intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum collections intern in the United States is $19.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Museum Collections Interns?

Museum Collections Interns are individuals, usually students or recent graduates, who assist museum staff in managing, cataloging, preserving, and researching items within a museum's collection. Their duties may include inventorying artifacts, updating records in collection databases, helping with the preparation of exhibits, and ensuring proper storage and handling of objects. These internships provide hands-on experience in museum operations and are valuable for those interested in pursuing careers in museum studies or related fields.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Museum Collections Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Museum Collections Intern, you need a background in art history, museum studies, or a related field, along with strong organizational and research skills. Familiarity with collections management software, cataloging systems, and basic artifact handling procedures is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and a collaborative mindset are important soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure the proper care, documentation, and accessibility of cultural artifacts, which are vital for preserving and sharing museum collections.

What types of projects and tasks can a Museum Collections Intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a Museum Collections Intern, you can expect to engage in a variety of hands-on projects such as cataloging artifacts, updating collection databases, assisting with condition reports, and helping with the preparation and installation of exhibits. Interns often work closely with collections managers and conservators, gaining exposure to best practices in object handling, storage, and preventive conservation. You'll also have opportunities to participate in team meetings and may be asked to conduct research to support interpretive or curatorial projects, providing a well-rounded experience in museum operations.
More about Museum Collections Intern jobs
What cities are hiring for Museum Collections Intern jobs? Cities with the most Museum Collections Intern job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum Collections jobs? The most popular types of Museum Collections jobs are:
What states have the most Museum Collections Intern jobs? States with the most job openings for Museum Collections Intern jobs include:
Infographic showing various Museum Collections Intern job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,174 per year, or $19.3 per hour.
[Fall 2026] Education - Art & Wellness

[Fall 2026] Education - Art & Wellness

Whitney Museum of American Art

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Other

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

The Whitney’s Academic Year Internship program offers a semester-long paid internship for undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited academic program. The program includes training, direct work experience, professional development, and a weekly speaker series.  
The Whitney’s Fall internship program is a full-time, paid, nine-week session. The internship is hybrid, with some onsite work. For Fall 2026, interns commit between 16–21 hours per week over 10–12 weeks for a total of 176 hours. The program will begin on September 15, 2026, and end on December 5, 2026 (this may vary depending on schedule). Participants must be available Monday through Friday for nine consecutive weeks, five days per week. Interns are assigned to a specific department at the Museum for the duration of the internship. 
For more information, including information on eligibility requirements, please visit our internships page.  
The application window for our Fall 2026 Ostrover Family Academic Internship is now open through August 14. Please note that all candidates will be considered on a rolling basis, and as such, some opportunities may close before the deadline

The Whitney seeks an Art & Wellness intern within the Education Department for Fall 2026. 
The Whitney Museum of American Art, in partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals, offers a transformative initiative that supports the wellbeing of healthcare workers through visual art, reflective dialogue, creative writing, and hands-on artmaking. This program fosters a safe, nurturing space for hospital staff to engage in self-care, connection, and creative expression, addressing burnout and enhancing a sense of community and purpose.
In collaboration with The Empathy Project at NYU Langone, the Whitney has developed a curriculum that engages medical students, faculty, and staff to build and practice empathy skills through guided close-looking, self-reflection on the experience of perception, and learning to understand other perspectives. 
We are seeking a motivated and thoughtful Whitney Art and Wellness Intern to assist with the planning, facilitation, and documentation of weekly arts-based wellness sessions held on-site at NYC Health + Hospitals locations and at the Whitney. As well as with our The Empathy Project at NYU Langone program as it develops. This role combines elements of museum education, program facilitation, and wellness-based engagement. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for the arts, strong interpersonal skills, and an interest in mental health, education, and community care.
Responsibilities:

  • Assist in the setup and preparation of program sessions, including gathering art materials and selecting artwork images in partnership with leading Museum Educator and Art Therapist for this program.
  • Support leading Museum Educator and Art Therapist during sessions by helping guide discussions and creative activities.
  • Conduct research on relevant works from the Whitney and NYC Health + Hospitals collections to support session themes.
  • Document participant engagement, collect feedback, and contribute to ongoing program evaluation and assessment.
  • Coordinate logistics with hospital staff and museum educators for scheduling and setup.
  • Participate in team planning meetings, contributing reflections and ideas to improve session experiences.
  • Observe and document program activities, contributing feedback and data for educator reflection and professional development.
  • Help produce visual aids (e.g., slide decks) and maintain organized records and archives of program materials.
  • Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate sensitivity to the emotional needs of healthcare participants.
  • Collaborate with the Manager of Teaching Strategies, Chair of Education and the Education Department Assistant to advance all aspects of this program.

Skills and Qualifications:
  • Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a program in Art Education or Art Therapy, Museum Studies, Public Health, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
  • Experience or interest in arts-based facilitation, museum education, or wellness programs.
  • Strong research and organizational skills; attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work with empathy in diverse settings.
  • Interest in educational pedagogy and community-based engagement.
  • Familiarity with tools such as Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and WordPress (a plus).
  • Background in visual arts, writing, or creative facilitation is strongly encouraged.


Compensation 
Interns will be paid a stipend of $3000.
Generous support for Ostrover Family Academic Year Interns is provided by Julie and Doug Ostrover.

If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role. 
About the Whitney: 
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today. 
 
EEO Statement: 
The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law.  The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

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