Public Programs Internship

NOTE: Applications submitted through Handshake will NOT be considered.

Desired Majors and Areas of Study: Museum Studies, History, Education, African American Studies

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) Public Programs Department creates educational public programs (theatrical and musical performances, author talks, dance, films, book-signings, workshops, etc.) in support of our exhibitions. Many of our public programs highlight NMAAHC’s stories and collections. 

The Public Programs Intern will support the creation and delivery of engaging, and mission-driven public programs at NMAAHC. This internship offers hands-on experience in cultural programming, public engagement, and museum education practices. Working alongside the Public Programs team, the intern will contribute to planning and executing events that explore African American history and culture through performances, conversations, workshops, and family activities. The intern will learn to:

• Design and evaluate a public program concept aligned with NMAAHC’s mission and audience needs
• Communicate effectively with diverse publics through writing and in-person engagement.
• Apply museum education practices to real-world program planning and evaluation.
• Conduct historical research using primary and secondary sources to support program development.

This will occur through a project where the intern will develop, plan, and deliver a small-scale public program designed to engage NMAAHC audiences around a specific theme, object, or story drawn from the museum’s exhibitions or collection. This project will span the internship period and culminate in a live or facilitated event within the museum. Program formats may include gallery talks, family drop-in activities, interactive storytelling, mini-workshops, or facilitated discussions depending on the intern’s interest, audience needs, and institutional context. The Public Program Intern will be guided and mentored through the full arc of program development: from initial concept research and proposal writing to event logistics and post-program evaluation. 

This internship is ideal for graduate students or recent alumni per program requirements interested in museum education, cultural programming, public history, or community engagement. 

Duties Include (but are not limited to):

• Attend weekly check-in meetings with the Public Programs team
• Assist with setup, staffing, and breakdown of on-site programs and events
• Draft written materials such as event descriptions, facilitator talking points, or social media copy
• Conduct background research on program themes, guest speakers, or cultural topics
• Help create, review, and format interpretive tools (e.g., activity sheets, guides, or handouts)
• Support outreach efforts to promote programs internally and externally
• Observe and take notes during live programs for evaluation and learning purposes
• Maintain digital organization of program files, resources, and planning materials
• Design and propose an original small-scale public program to be delivered at NMAAHC
• Develop all materials for the program, including audience engagement strategies and interpretive content
• Coordinate logistics for the event in collaboration with the Public Programs team
• Deliver the program to a live audience in the museum by the end of the internship
• Create and administer informal evaluation tools (e.g., surveys, observation notes, feedback cards)
• Write a final reflection or short report that assesses the program’s success, challenges, and recommendations for future implementation