For high school students passionate about the arts, internships offer a unique opportunity to turn creativity into a potential career path. These programs go beyond the classroom, providing immersive experiences that allow students to develop practical skills, build a professional network, and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.
Imagine gaining hands-on experience in a museum, working alongside accomplished artists, or contributing to a live exhibition—these are just some of the possibilities that art internships can offer.
Students Seeking Art Internships
Internships are more than just resume boosters; they’re gateways to exploring various disciplines within the arts. Whether your interest lies in museum curation, animation, art education, or even the intersection of technology and art, these opportunities allow you to delve deeply into your chosen field. You’ll gain invaluable insights into what each role entails, helping you make informed decisions about your future. Plus, showcasing this experience on your college applications signals to admissions committees that you’re serious about your passion and ready to take on new challenges.
What’s more, art internships are available in diverse locations around the globe, offering exposure to different artistic practices and cultural perspectives. From the vibrant galleries of New York City to the historic museums of Europe, these internships provide a global stage for young artists to refine their talents and broaden their horizons.
Top Art Internships for High School Students
To help you embark on this exciting journey, we’ve curated a comprehensive list of the top 12 art internships designed specifically for high school students. Each program offers a stepping stone toward a fulfilling career in the arts, equipping you with the experience and confidence to succeed in this competitive field.
1. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Teen Arts Collective
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Teen Arts Collective is tailored for high school students who harbor a passion for contemporary art and its associated culture. This program gives the participants workshops involving hands-on activities, discussions with artists, and projects of collaborative disposition. Engagement in the MoMA Teen Arts Collective results in young artists having enhanced artistic capabilities and constructing foundations solid enough to support future creative careers.
- Duration: Varies by program
- Requirements: High school students in the area
- Application Deadline: Varies by program
2. Metropolitan Museum of Art High School Internship
This program offers both a summer internship and one during the school year.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art High School Internship is a program that enables students to explore art history, museum conservation, and education. Each intern works in one or two departments and helps prepare exhibitions, research artworks, and assist with the museum’s educational programs and activities. The internship scheme allows them to experience the reality of being in a museum, meaning they learn how cultural artifacts are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. These students benefit from experienced staff’s training and dedication to sharing culture.
- Duration: January – June (School Year) and June – August (Summer)
- Requirements: Grades 10-11 in the New York City area
- Application Deadline: October 27 (School year) and March 8 (Summer)
3. Disney Animation Studios High School Art Internship
The National Gallery of Art allows high school students to volunteer and assist in clerical and administrative tasks integral to the support of departmental educational programs. This position allows students to take an active role in the inner workings of one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions. Volunteers learn about the mission of the National Gallery of Art, its collections, and educational activities through their interaction with the museum staff and by taking guided tours in the galleries that allow for a fuller appreciation of art and cultural heritage.
- Duration: 9 weeks, from June to August
- Requirements: Students
- Application Deadline: February 29th
4. National Gallery of Art’s Teen Program
The National Gallery of Art allows high school students to volunteer and assist in clerical and administrative tasks integral to the support of departmental educational programs. This position allows students to take an active role in the inner workings of one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions. Volunteers learn about the mission of the National Gallery of Art, its collections, and educational activities through their interaction with the museum staff and by taking guided tours in the galleries that allow for a fuller appreciation of art and cultural heritage.
- Duration: 9 weeks, from June to August
- Requirements: Students
- Application Deadline: February 29th
5. Hirshhorn Museum ArtLab Collective
The Hirshhorn Museum at the Smithsonian provides an opportunity for individuals who are passionate about contemporary art to explore different modes of creative expression. This immersive program offers far more than workshops and art-making sessions—this dynamic platform, through which fellow students engage in interactive projects, pushes them out of their comfort zone in artistry. Through active participation in such activities, interns gain advanced knowledge of contemporary art practices and nurture important skills in collaboration, innovation, and artistic expression that will be relevant in pursuing a vibrant modern art career in the future.
- Duration: December to June
- Requirements: Ages 15-19 in the DC area
- Application Deadline: Varies by program
6. Whitney Museum of American Art Youth Insights Program
Whitney Museum Youth Insights Program engages high school students with contemporary art. Through interactive gallery experiences and conversations with artists, interns delve into the museum’s exhibitions and build sophisticated views of artistic practices and cultural repercussions. As well as engaging with the galleries, interns plan the aesthetics of art programs specifically for teenagers and run public programs. This hands-on involvement does more than provide an enhanced appreciation of evolving themes and techniques in the contemporary art field; it enhances their skills in program development and community engagement, as well as leadership.
- Duration: Fall semester
- Requirements: New York high school students
- Application Deadline: August 2nd
7. Art Institute of Chicago Teen Council
The Art Institute of Chicago’s Teen Council engages high schoolers to have a deep view of the vast collections and exhibitions within the institution. Council members help with the organization of programs, exhibitions, and workshops catering to peers specifically. This internship provides hands-on experience in museum curation, education methodologies, and community outreach efforts. By doing so, it is expected that members will become more appreciative of art and cultural heritage, in addition to amassing valuable leadership, teamwork, and creative expression skills, which could help shape their future academic and professional pursuits.
- Duration: September to June
- Requirements: Chicago high school students
- Application Deadline: August 9th
8. Bloomberg Arts Internship Program
Bloomberg Philanthropies offers high school students in its five cities the opportunity for meaningful paid internships with local arts and cultural organizations. This includes practical experience in a wide range of projects related to arts administration, exhibition planning, marketing campaigns, and event coordination. Through this program, participants receive mentorship and special training in college preparation. This experience provides practical insight into arts and cultural institutions, which are valuable experiences toward the development of important skills needed to pursue a future in the arts academically and professionally.
- Duration: Varies by city
- Requirements: Varies by city
- Application Deadline: Varies by city
9. Brooklyn Museum’s Creative Practice
Brooklyn Museum interns are actively engaged in the areas of art, education, and museum careers, with support from teaching artists. This is a comprehensive work program within which tasks include: studio preparation and material organization, lesson planning and classroom management, and getting practice in an educational setting. While being very demanding on one’s time, the program is exceptionally enriching; it offers great opportunities for learning and professional growth, and with it comes necessary skills and insight into an increasingly dynamic intersection between art, education, and museum practices.
- Duration: September – May
- Requirements: New York City high school students ages 15-19
- Application Deadline: July 24th
10. Museum of Arts and Design Teen Programs
MAD offers two unique paid internships that turn artistic experiences into reality: Artslife and RECESS. For one, the Artslife program merges art and design to provide leadership training. In the process, it equips interns with practical knowledge regarding the functionalities of a museum. At the same time, RECESS offers immersion into the history of art and deeply enriches the knowledge an intern has about cultural heritage and curatorial practices. Both programs involve interns in developing and leading peer-to-peer tours at the museum, enhancing communication skills, and creating deeper engagement with MAD exhibitions and collections. These opportunities provide not only the practice in those areas but also further inspire participants to become advocates for art and museum education.
- Duration: July – August
- Requirements: Grades 10-11 in the NYC area
- Application Deadline: April 27th
11. Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council
Minneapolis’s Walker Art Center empowers high school students through its Teen Arts Council, which allows them to take leadership roles in the planning of youth-focused programming and events. The council members collaborate with museum staff in many ways—planning exhibitions, workshops, and performances—to reflect their interests and perspectives.
- Duration: September – June
- Requirements: Sophomore – Senior in the Twin Cities metropolitan area
- Application Deadline: July 26th
12. Milwaukee Art Museum Internships
The Milwaukee Art Museum offers two paid internships: Satellite Teens and ArtXpress—both providing different kinds of active participation in the local arts community. Through Satellite Teens, participants work closely with staff members at the museum and local artists to be involved in real-life, everyday actions associated with the work of the museum and artistic creations. ArtXpress, on the other hand, is about creating murals that will make a difference in Milwaukee, concerning the most important issues and enable interns to express important social themes through art. Both will provide you with a deep level of interaction with local artists and deep immersion in the rich collections of the museum, which relate to the achievement of a complete understanding of art’s place in community expression and cultural dialogue.
- Duration: 10 weeks (Satellite Teens) and July – August (ArtXpress)
- Requirements: Ages 16 – 18 in the Milwaukee area
- Application Deadline: January 31st (Satellite Teens) and June 7th (ArtXpress)
Conclusion
The more curious and imaginative you are, the more rewarding this path will be. Each of these internships offers an invaluable experience that not only prepares students for a future in the arts but also connects them with inspiring mentors and peers who share a deep love for creativity. These opportunities challenge you to grow, pushing the boundaries of your artistic potential and enriching your journey with real-world experiences that will shape your career.
Don’t hesitate to explore these opportunities. Your passion for art, combined with the hands-on learning and connections you’ll make during an internship, can pave the way for a dynamic and successful career in today’s ever-evolving landscape of creative expression and innovation.
If you’re serious about pursuing a career in the arts, let Empowerly be your guide. Our team of dedicated counselors and admissions experts is here to help you find the perfect internship that aligns with your interests and goals. From mapping out your journey to submitting applications for top art programs, we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way. Partner with Empowerly, and increase your chances of gaining entrance into prestigious art programs, setting the stage for a bright and creative future.
