Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Internships

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum offers internships to students of junior-year college level or above, recent graduates, graduate students, postgraduates, and mature professionals pursuing further experience in the arts. Internships are available within a host of different museum departments.

The objective of the internship program is to offer practical museum training experience to individuals interested in pursuing careers in the arts and museum fields. Interns gain a broad understanding of how a particular department functions within the context of a major museum as well as specific skills related to a particular department’s activities. Interns are assigned based on their academic background, professional skills, interests, and career goals. Interns participate in the ongoing work of museum departments and complete specific projects or portions of larger departmental initiatives.

In addition, the Museum Culture Seminar Program supplements our Internship Program by incorporating field trips to sites such as auction houses, galleries, corporate collections, and other museums. Discussion with Guggenheim Museum staff from a range of departments and awareness of a range of museum-related issues is facilitated. A field trip outside of New York City is planned for the end of every session.

Our yearly internship calendar is divided into three cycles: spring, summer, and fall. Each internship cycle is approximately three months in duration.

Internship Periods

Spring: January–April (application deadline: November 1)
Summer: June–August (application deadline: January 30)
Fall: September–December (application deadline: June 1)

Spring and fall internships require a commitment of at least two days per week (in addition to participation in the Museum Culture Seminar Program), with the required minimum number of hours depending 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. All internships require a commitment of three months.

Visas

International candidates are welcome and encouraged to apply. The Guggenheim Museum Internship Program is designated by the U.S. Government as a J-1 training program, and 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. All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English.

Housing

The Guggenheim does not provide housing. Upon request, the museum can provide accepted applicants with a list of suggested residences and dormitories in New York City.

Stipends and Awards

Although academic credit can often be arranged through interns’ own colleges and universities, internships are typically unpaid. The following stipends and awards are available:

Hilla Rebay Graduate Summer Intern

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. Stipends are $1,000 for full-time, ten-week summer internships.

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. Please limit your response to 500 words.

Interested candidates will be considered for available stipends following admittance to the Internship Program.

How to Apply

To apply for one of our internships, please follow the checklist of materials below. Please note: we do not require transcripts.

• Guggenheim application form
• Cover letter
• Resume/curriculum vitae
• List of relevant coursework/modules undertaken
• Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
• Writing sample (3–5 pages only) *Please note: when applying to design-related departments, candidates should instead submit a design portfolio or small visual sample of work.

Following an initial review of the applicants, a small group will be selected for in-person, Skype, or telephone interviews. Please download the application form and submit a complete application (all fields are required) via mail to:

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Internship Program
1071 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10128-0173

APPLICATION FORM

All materials must be postmarked before or on the following application deadlines:

Spring (January–April): November 1
Summer (June–August): January 30
Fall (September–December): June 1

We do not accept applications that are postmarked after the deadlines stated here. Please be aware we do not notify applicants of receiving these materials. For any questions or problems regarding the application process, please e-mail internships@guggenheim.org.

HILLA REBAY INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP

Begun in 2001, this multisite 10-month fellowship offers an opportunity for one graduate student to undertake in-depth professional training at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice. The fellow will spend a minimum of three months at each site and will gain exposure to museum operations through departments including Curatorial, Education, and Registration.

The Fellowship schedule is as follows (approximate dates):

September 15–December 15: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
January 15–April 15: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
May 15–July 15: Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice

The Hilla Rebay International Fellowship offers an introduction to the unique operational structure of the multinational museum, as well as practical museum training experience to individuals interested in pursuing careers in the curatorial field. Each fellow receives funding of USD $30,000 (subject to taxes). This fellowship is in honor of Baroness Hilla von Rebay, the Guggenheim Museum’s first director, and is made possible with generous support from The Hilla von Rebay Foundation.

Eligibility

Minimum MA/MPhil in art history or related academic fields. Doctoral candidates or recent PhD graduates are encouraged and welcomed to apply. Candidates must have fluency in spoken and written English, Spanish, and Italian.

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter
• Résumé/CV
• Two letters of recommendation (English translations must be included)
• Transcripts from all universities attended—including language certificates if applicable
• Writing sample (10 pages)—an academic paper or excerpt from a thesis or dissertation preferred (English translation must be included)

Please note: Language certificates are not required, however candidate’s fluency in each language will be tested during interviews.

Applications must be sent by e-mail in PDF format to internships@guggenheim.org.The deadline for application is May 15 each year and applicants will be notified of the result of their application in late July.

For further details and application visit the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Internships page.