Frequently Asked Questions: Internships

United States citizens and foreign nationals currently in the United States on F-1 visas will be considered for internships in 2023–2024. If you are accepted into a program, the National Gallery will assist you with the required paperwork.

International interns are responsible for obtaining health insurance for the duration of the internship.

Yes. Please fill out a separate online application for each internship program to which you are applying.

You will be notified via email.

All letters of recommendation must be submitted directly from the recommenders via the online application system. The online application requires you to provide the recommenders’ names and email addresses; they will automatically receive email instructions as to how to upload their recommendation letters. We do not accept recommendation letters via email, post, or in person.

The National Gallery does not offer housing to interns. It is the responsibility of the intern to find accommodations during the term of the internship.

The museum seminar introduces the interns to the staff, departments, programs, and functions of the National Gallery. Seminar speakers may include curators, event planners, conservators, and representatives from the personnel office and office of protection services, among others. In addition to learning about how the National Gallery functions as a whole, interns may connect with one another and discuss their experiences and current projects in a collegial atmosphere.

It may be possible to receive academic credit. It is your responsibility to arrange to receive credit with your university before the internship start date.

The program is designed so that each intern participates in all training sessions from the first to the last day of the program as outlined in the program description. By applying, you are confirming that you are available for a full-time internship for the full duration of the program.

A hybrid internship involves regular commutes to the National Gallery, though not daily commutes. For example, a hybrid intern may commute to the National Gallery three days a week for regularly scheduled in-person interactions, while working from a location of their choosing the rest of the week.

The National Gallery’s internship program is meant to develop transferrable skills applicable to museum careers as well as other fields. Interns are not required to have prior background or experience in the arts—many interns have participated as non-arts majors. However, each department creates its own position description, so it is important to read each description to find positions that may be suited to your skills and interests.

Yes. We are committed to ensuring that everyone can apply to the program and can participate fully if accepted. Please email [email protected] to inquire about available accommodations.