National Gallery of Art

The John Wilmerding Fund for Education in American Art supports two nine-month internships: one in American art and one in digital interpretation. The internships provide institutional training to students interested in pursuing a museum career. The John Wilmerding Interns work on projects directed by a Gallery curator or department head. Biweekly museum seminars introduce the interns to the broad spectrum of museum work, and to Gallery staff, departments, programs, and functions.

The internship program will feature:

• Gallery talks with curators
• Discussions with top-level administrators, including the Gallery’s director
• Conversations with staff from a wide variety of museum departments and former interns
• Behind-the-scenes tours and demonstrations
• Presentations on the museum’s history and collection
• Opportunity to develop and present an original talk (10–12 minutes) about an artwork in the Gallery’s collection

The John Wilmerding Internship in American Art and the John Wilmerding Internship in Digital Interpretation are made possible by a generous grant from The Walton Family Foundation.

Eligibility

Although consideration will be given to students with a spring 2021 undergraduate degree, preference will be given to applicants who are enrolled in a graduate program or are recent MA or MFA graduates (degree must have been received no earlier than 2020). Candidates who are people of color, LGBTQ+, bilingual or multilingual, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Terms

The interns are in residence at the Gallery from September 20, 2021, to May 6, 2022, and work full time. The interns receive a stipend of approximately $26,000 that is subject to all applicable taxes. The interns, using an authorized public transportation method, will receive an employer-provided fare subsidy to apply toward monthly transit costs. **Please note: Depending on the status of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 2021–2022 academic-year internships may be virtual or hybrid (part in-person, part virtual). Any hybrid experience may be converted to virtual or postponed to ensure the safety and health of our staff and interns.**

Application Timeline and Procedures 

Deadline: February 28, 2021
By the date above, all application materials must be submitted online and in English. We will not accept applications or related materials via email, postal mail, or in person. There is no fee to apply to any of the internships.

The online application will require you to provide the following:

• A letter (single-spaced, about 750 words) to the selection committee stating your reasons for participating in the museum training program at the National Gallery of Art at this point in your education or career, including what you hope to achieve from the experience, what you feel you can contribute to the department(s) in which you are interested, and how such an experience would further your education and career plans.
• A writing sample (no more than 20 pages, including footnotes or endnotes, bibliography, and images). An academic paper works best for a research position.
• A résumé or full curriculum vitae of education, professional experience, honors, awards, and publications.
• One copy of unofficial transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended.
• Contact information for two references. One of these references must be someone who knows you in an academic context (either a professor or instructor). Once you have submitted your references’ names, titles, and email addresses, they will automatically be emailed instructions for uploading their letters online. We strongly encourage references to submit letters in English.

The deadline for all application materials, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, is February 28, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. (EST).

We recommend that you edit your application carefully before submitting, and perhaps ask one of your instructors or professors to look over your personal statement. If you are unsure about how to write a personal statement, or what writing sample to submit, consider contacting the career services center at your college or university for guidance.

April 5 and 6, 2021
Interviews of finalists are tentatively scheduled for the dates above. Only finalists for the John Wilmerding Internships will be contacted for interviews. You will not need to travel to the National Gallery of Art for an interview. All interviews are conducted by phone or video chat.

April 23, 2021
Final selection of interns.

Review Process
All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of Gallery staff and external specialists.

Equal Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for an internship, fellowship, or research assistantship without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, or any other protected status. The National Gallery of Art is committed to diversity and offers equal opportunity and treatment to all who apply.

Internship Projects