The Whitney’s Academic Year Internship program offers a semester-long paid internship for rising Juniors and above (to include Graduate students) enrolled in an accredited academic program. The internship is in person and onsite. For spring 2027, interns commit between 16–21 hours per week over 10–12 weeks for a total of 176 hours. The official program dates will span from January 18-April 26, 2027. Interns are assigned to a specific department at the Museum for the duration of the internship.

The application window for our Spring 2027 Ostrover Family Academic Internship is now open through November 9. Please note that all candidates will be considered on a rolling basis, and as such, some opportunities may close before the deadline.

For more information, including information on eligibility requirements, please visit our internships page.

The Whitney seeks a Communications intern for the spring 2027 semester.

Expected projects/work assignments

• Assist with preparation for upcoming Whitney exhibitions and press events, including:
  • Researching and developing lists for targeted press outreach
  • Compiling press images and materials for press kits
  • Organizing materials for press previews and tracking events RSVPs
• Monitor and track media coverage of the museum and its exhibitions and programs.
• Other media monitoring tasks include:
  • Contributing to weekly press highlights reporting
  • Updating earned media impressions, press clipping highlights, and collecting top press quotes for exhibition reports
• Assist with maintenance of press database in Raiser’s Edge
• Assist with promotion of public programs and events through calendar listing submissions

Skills and qualifications required

• Attention to detail
• Strong writing, editing, and research skills
• Interest in public relations and communications, as well as modern and contemporary American art
• Computer skills: Microsoft Outlook, Google Drive, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

What type of training will be provided

• Raiser’s Edge software
• Media monitoring software
• Content management system for the Whitney’s press site (whitney.org/press)
• Other essential departmental procedures

Outcomes

• The intern will have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of current and upcoming Whitney exhibitions and the museum’s collection.
• They will also develop targeted lists for outreach related to upcoming exhibitions, programs, and events.
• They will gain technological skills related to media monitoring and the Whitney’s press list database.
• They will gain further understanding of the New York arts press and media landscape.

Compensation
Interns will be paid a stipend of $3,000 stipend for full participation.

Generous support for Hearst Summer Interns is provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

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, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, 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. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.

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