Interpretive Research and Programs Internship

NOTE: Applications submitted through Handshake will NOT be considered.

Full-Time Onsite Internship

$850/week

June 1 – August 28, 2026

Desired Majors and Areas of Study: African American studies, Black studies, History, Public History, Cultural Studies, Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies, History of Science, Science and Society Studies

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), the Smithsonian Institution’s only museum dedicated exclusively to African American life, history, and culture, houses the Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP), a department committed to advancing the capacity and sustainability of institutions that preserve and interpret African American and African Diasporic heritage. OSP engages with museum networks, cultural organizations, educational institutions, and subject-matter experts at national and international levels to expand access to resources that support organizational effectiveness, professional development, and sector-wide innovation. Through its focus on capacity building, talent pipeline development, and technical training, OSP ensures that museums, archives, cultural heritage sites, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities are equipped to thrive and continue their vital work.

Interpretive Research and Programs Internship will support the continued development and relaunch of the Ethical Interpretation Workshop, a signature program of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)/OSP. While ethical interpretation is embedded throughout the Museum’s collections, digital platforms, and exhibitions, no single exhibition exclusively focuses on this topic. This internship will play a key role in advancing both a Smithsonian-wide pilot program and a national workshop dedicated to ethical theory and practice, with particular emphasis on illustrating the historical and contemporary relationships between African American communities and the natural world.

The selected intern will contribute to the planning, coordination, and preparation of materials for these initiatives, with primary responsibilities centered on research and administrative support. As time permits, the intern may also assist in organizing and facilitating virtual or in-person professional development programs and meetups for the growing Community of Practice focused on ethical interpretation. The intern will join the planning teams for these efforts and support the development of program-related resources and communications.

Through this internship, the intern will gain exposure to the external-facing work of OSP; the national landscape of interpretive practice; models for presenting sensitive historical content; the relationship between interpretation and tourism; and strategies for partnership development, strategic planning, and problem solving. The experience may include site visits to African American museums, universities, and sites of memory throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area, as well as travel to the Association of African American Museums Annual Conference.

Any remaining time not committed to the Interpretive Planning/Historical Research projects listed herein would be used to assist the Office of Strategic Partnerships with on-going internal projects and initiatives, which may include assisting with the creation of OSP digital assets (webpage content, Community of Practice programming, contact database management, creating survey and evaluation templates, and daily communications).

Duties Include (but are not limited to):

• Participate in an online review and physical walkthrough all museum exhibition galleries with OSP Staff, and other NMAAHC curators, as available.
• Research effective methods of program facilitation and audience engagement techniques.
• Identify and research key objects on view in NMAAHC exhibitions that fit within the scope and intended content of this project
• Develop a Smithsonian wide exhibition guide centered around ethical interpretation specifically focusing on the narratives of Africans/ African Americans
• Create a presentation and/or talking points for each exhibition guide that can be used by other NMAAHC curators, docents, and museum staff on OSP-centered tours.
• Understand how to effectively use multiple interpretative methodologies to create impactful public programs, utilizing audience engagement techniques.
• Observe Museum leadership and strategic planning initiatives.
• Attend virtual cross-departmental meetings, workshops, and special events.