Fall 2024 NMAI Internships

NOTICE: Internships may be virtual (limited), hybrid (part onsite, part virtual), or onsite (limited). Currently, NMAI is hosting primarily hybrid internships, and are allowing hybrid experiences for internships whose learning goals require some onsite access to the museum. 

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) Internship Program provides educational opportunities for students interested in the museum profession and related fields. Interns complete projects using the resources of the NMAI and other Smithsonian offices. Internships are an opportunity for students to learn about the museum's collections, exhibitions, programs, and methodologies, and to meet professionals in the museum field.

NOTE: Due to the large volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Internship applications are reviewed in two rounds by Internships and departmental staff. Approximately twenty-five percent of applicants are accepted for internships during any one-year period. The Summer Term is the most competitive. If available through your university, out-of-state interns may participate in a Washington, D.C., or New York study-away program during the Fall or Spring Terms.

Departmental descriptions for all internships at the NMAI, except in Conservation, are listed below. Please see Conservation Training for more information and to apply for a Conservation internship.

Information on additional fellowship and internship opportunities across the Smithsonian, including those designed specifically for Native Americans, is available via the links below. 

Ten-Week Internship session start dates:

Winter/Spring: Starting third full week of January (local students)/March (non-local)

Summer: Starting second full week of June

Fall: Starting last full week of September

Deadlines

For each internship term, applications must be submitted electronically by the following dates:

Summer: March 15th

Fall: July 22nd (extended)

Winter/Spring: November 15th

What are the eligibility requirements?

If you are currently enrolled in an academic program you are eligible to apply.

If you are not a current student then you may still apply, but you will need to use the essay portion of the application to state how an internship in the particular department you select will benefit your professional goals and/or future academic goals. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent is generally expected (with withdrawals and incompletes explained).

When will I know if my application has been accepted?

Notification about placement occurs approximately four-to-six weeks after the deadline. Please note only those selected will be contacted.

Is there financial support (i.e., a stipend) for this internship?

Yes, stipends may be provided to selected interns based on financial need by completing a survey. Per Smithsonian Institution regulations, stipend amounts for non-local interns typically range up to $7,500 to $10,000 for a ten-week session. Local interns who live in the Washington, D.C., or New York City regions may receive a stipend that will offset the costs of commuting, approximately $2,500 for a ten-week session. The virtual internship stipend is up to $2,500 to offset the costs of technology/office equipment. The stipend depends on the amount of funds available and is at the discretion of the NMAI.

Do I have to be Native American?

No! The internship program is open to anyone. The NMAI is an equal opportunity employer and follows equal opportunity employment guidelines in the selection of its interns.

Do you accept applications from international students?

Yes! We accept applications from international students. The Smithsonian's Office of International Relations will work with you in sponsoring a J-1 visa, if necessary, after you are accepted into the program. Unfortunately, international students may experience delays in stipends and receiving an ID badge due to Smithsonian security and banking requirements.

Academic Credit

The Smithsonian Institution welcomes the opportunity to work cooperatively with schools seeking to grant academic credit for internships. Applicants are encouraged to initiate arrangements for credit with their colleges or universities. The Smithsonian does not grant academic credit.

How competitive is the process and what makes a strong application?

The internship program is very competitive, especially in the summer. In general, strong applications demonstrate applicants' academic and professional goals, interest in the particular department selected, and reason for wanting to be at the NMAI. During an internship, interns may spend 9-10 weeks in mainly one department. There may be opportunities to shadow a different department or intern part-time in two departments. Interns will gain experience in specific aspects of museum work.

If there are further questions, please email nmaiinterns@si.edu.

The Smithsonian does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental status, marital status, sexual orientation, or participation in protected activity.

INTERNSHIP PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS BY LOCATION

THE NMAI CULTURAL RESOURCES CENTER 

4220 Silver Hill Road

Suitland, MD 20746-2863

Collections Information and Asset Management

Collections Information and Asset Management interns support digitization initiatives to increase access to NMAI collections information and images. Assignments are centered around the digital curation of reformatted and born-digital assets; the creation of metadata in the NMAI's collection information system or the SI's digital asset management system; safeguarding of data integrity; enhancement of digital workflows; and creation of digital workflow documentation. Interns work under the mentorship of Collections Information System and/or Digital Asset Management System staff and receive extensive training and gain direct experience in those systems. Students seeking experience in digitization, digital preservation, and data management of cultural heritage materials are encouraged to apply.

Collections Research and Documentation (Archaeological)

Interns in Collections Research and Documentation support the study and interpretation of the more than 100,000 objects in the NMAI archaeological collections. Working with curatorial staff, interns learn how to document, examine, and research items made, created, used, or designed by the Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere (excluding Hawai'i) prior to European contact. Interns may access collections and related information physically or through the NMAI's collections database, and learn how to investigate objects through a variety of means, possibly including literature reviews, contextual analyses, physical examination, morphological measurements, and consultations with Indigenous peoples, historians, archaeologists, and other experts. Interns may also assist in creating, managing, organizing, and distributing information about the NMAI's archaeological collections through various online platforms, including social media, blogs, and websites. Interns expand their understanding of Native American cultures and histories as well as their depth, complexity, diversity, and achievements.

Outreach & Engagement Planning Office 

The Outreach & Engagement Planning Office (O&EPO) supports and facilitates collaboration and partnerships between NMAI staff and Native communities and allied organizations. Interns placed with the O&EPO will gain a better understanding of the needs and working process for engaging in collaborative work within the museum setting and with Native constituents. Opportunities will vary based on the intern’s experience and interests but can range from researching potential collaborations or opportunities, directly supporting staff engagements within and external to the museum, or supporting administrative projects to improve and strengthen collaborative efforts at the museum. This internship opportunity is best suited for individuals interested in supporting community engagement efforts and developing skillsets in relationship-management. Degrees related to this line of work include but are not limited to anthropology, museum studies, Native American studies, community based participatory research, public administration, business administration, and nonprofit management. 

Registration
Registration Department interns benefit from hands-on experience assisting with the annual inventory of the NMAI's object collection at the Cultural Resources Center. Registration interns learn about object handling, collections storage, cataloging, inventory practices, and using a collections database. Those interested in collections accountability, collections care, and Native material culture are encouraged to apply.

Technology
Technology internships provide students with an opportunity to gain valuable experience working alongside information technology staff in support of the museum's Internet and intranet websites, applications, and technological infrastructure. Whether running technology-based audiovisual and theater operations in the NMAI's exhibitions, supporting database application systems, or developing web pages and multimedia projects, interns enhance their skills in network operations, communications services, desktop support, information resource management planning, system development lifecycle management, web content management, or web design. Students studying information technology, electronic communications, telecommunication, or web development are encouraged to apply. Appointments may be available at either the museum in Washington, DC, or the Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, MD.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN, WASHINGTON, D.C.

Fourth Street and Independence Ave., SW

P.O. Box 37012

Washington, DC 20013-7012

Opened on the National Mall on September 21, 2004, the National Museum of the American Indian is a major exhibition space for Native art and material culture as well as a center for educational activities and performances. The following list provides a general overview of the ongoing work of departments within the NMAI, Washington, D.C., as well as associated internship opportunities. When you begin the application process, a drop-down menu will allow you to select from the choices that are currently available.

imagiNATIONS Activity Center

The interactive, family-friendly imagiNATIONS Activity Center provides visitors of all ages with a multitude of unique learning experiences about Native peoples of the Americas. Activity Center interns gain an understanding of museum education practices by exploring strategies that engage young visitors and interpret Native American cultures; experience facets of operations in Visitor Services and Community Programs; and solve on-the-job challenges. Prerequisites include interest in American Indian cultures of the Western Hemisphere; early childhood and museum education; being comfortable interacting with families and children (0–12 years); and ability to be outgoing and reliable. Bilingual candidates are desired and basic computer skills are required. Duties include staffing various interactive stations and assisting in facilitation of hands-on interactive programs; assisting with space and program upkeep; and general operating procedures. The work schedule is Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 AM to 5:30 PM. Internships involve frequent walking, standing, bending down, or sitting on the floor and on small chairs for extended periods.

Marketing and Communications

Interns in Marketing and Communications learn how to effectively promote museum activities through marketing, publicity, and social media. They also learn how to analyze and compile reports on the efficacy of social media and report on trending social outlets/topics to enhance their learning objectives and contribute to the social media of the museum. Marketing and Communications interns also learn about associated communications methodologies related to contacting members of media, building media contact lists, and helping publicize the museum's events and exhibitions through community calendars and events outlets. Appointments may be available at the museum in Washington, DC, or the museum in New York, NY.

Special Events

Special Events oversees internal museum events and works with external partners hosting celebrations in NMAI spaces. Interns in Special Events assist with event preparations, including compiling invitation lists, mailing and tracking RSVPs, coordinating vendors, and providing day-of event support. Interns also assist with managing the museum's booking calendar, departmental files, and donor database. Special Events interns learn Smithsonian event policies and procedures, logistics involved with event coordination, and donor and database management. Students interested in detail-oriented work who bring strong problem-solving skills, flexibility, and an enthusiasm for the museum's diverse audiences are encouraged to apply.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN, NEW YORK,

GEORGE GUSTAV HEYE CENTER

One Bowling Green

New York, NY 10004

The George Gustav Heye Center (GGHC) opened in 1994 in the newly renovated Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in lower Manhattan. The Heye Center features temporary exhibitions and a range of public programs./p>

Due to building renovations and limited staffing at the NMAI-NY, internships in the following areas are available intermittently.

Collections Care

Collections Care interns participate in the day-to-day management of the museum's collections and loans on exhibit and in temporary storage at the National Museum of the American Indian, New York. Interns learn handling, housekeeping, organization, monitoring, maintenance, and preventative care techniques. Interns also work closely with several other departments in the building to understand how activities in the public spaces affect collections. Internships include an introduction to the Integrated Pest Management Program, use of the collections database, environmental monitoring, collections emergency management, and exhibit installation/de-installation.

Cultural Interpreter Program
The Cultural Interpreter Program promotes knowledge of American Indian culture, history, and the NMAI's collection by delivering interpretive programs to the visiting public with an emphasis on serving school groups grades 1–12, summer camp groups, and higher education audiences. Cultural Interpreter Program interns assist in the research, development, and testing of dynamic, engaging, and exhibition-specific programming for school groups, summer camps, and the general public. Interns gain experience in museum educational practices, interpreting Native cultures, utilizing the museum's handling collection, and researching and developing working documents to be used in training and facilitation for staff and volunteers. Qualifications include a strong interest in education, art and visual culture, anthropology, or digital learning. Candidates should have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to engage the public, along with excellent research and writing skills, and interest and/or background in teaching and community engagement. Candidates should be able to work independently and as part of a team in a professional environment; handle multiple tasks at once; and adhere to deadlines. Bilingual candidates are desired. Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite is required and knowledge of design programs (including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) is preferred. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.

Marketing and Communications

Interns in Marketing and Communications learn how to effectively promote museum activities through marketing, publicity, and social media. They also learn how to analyze and compile reports on the efficacy of social media and report on trending social outlets/topics to enhance their learning objectives and contribute to the social media of the museum. Marketing and Communications interns also learn about associated communications methodologies related to contacting members of media, building media contact lists, and helping publicize the museum's events and exhibitions through community calendars and events outlets. Appointments may be available at the museum in Washington, DC, or the museum in New York, NY.