Paid, Part-time (20 hrs/week)
Academic Year 2024-25: September 9 – December 20, 2024 (Fall semester) and January 20 – May 2, 2025 (Spring semester)
Application deadline: February 24, 2024
Background
We invite applications for the third year of the Cheng-Harrell Graduate Internship program. This academic year, part-time (20 hrs/wk) paid opportunity in Washington, DC is designed to foster interest and deliver training in museum work for five graduate students* annually who may not otherwise have the resources to pursue a career in this professional sector. The two-semester (Fall-Spring) program is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of museum operations by combining hands-on project experience with professional instruction so interns can contribute to projects in either the museum’s curatorial or collections management departments. Specific department and projects will be determined at the time of selection.
Location
We plan for either fully on-site or hybrid (part on-site and part virtual) internships in Washington, DC. Exact type will depend on our museum staffing capacity and the preference of the intern and mentor.
Stipend
The total amount of stipend for the academic year internship is $17,000. All stipend payments are disbursed around the 10th or 25th of each month. Housing, benefits, and transportation are not provided.
How to Apply
To begin the application process, you must create an account through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointments external application portal (SOLAA).
After entering SOLAA, follow the instructions on the left-hand navigation bar and select the “National Museum of Asian Art (Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery)” from the drop-down menu. Then select the “Cheng-Harrell Graduate Internship” program listing.
Application materials must include:
- Essay (no more than two pages) describing your educational background, interest in our program, preferred museum department (curatorial or collections management), and current academic and career learning goals.
- Current CV or resume.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your skills or knowledge related to this internship opportunity. Professional references only.
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial are accepted).
In addition, you must answer brief application questions at the end of the online application.
Only completed applications submitted through SOLAA will be considered. We seek talented individuals of all backgrounds. We value diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, gender expressions, and abilities.
*Current graduates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
