NMAI Summer 2026 Internships

NOTICE: Internships may be virtual (limited), hybrid (part onsite, part virtual), or onsite. With the Executive Order to return to the office full-time, NMAI is currently hosting more onsite and hybrid internships.

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.

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, all application materials must be submitted electronically by the following dates:

Summer: March 15th

Fall: July 15th

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 depending on funding availability. Per Smithsonian Institution regulations, stipend amounts are $700-$1200/week for full-time (32-40 hours/week) internships and $350-$600 per week for part-time (16-20 hours/week) interns.

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 on F-1 visas. An international intern would need to apply for the CPT or OPT work authorization through their college or university in the US. 

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. 

History and Culture

History and Culture interns support a curatorial research assistance project for Miniverse: The World of Indigenous Miniatures, an exhibition that celebrates Indigenous miniatures and the artists who create them. The exhibition highlights miniatures from the NMAI permanent collection (ethnographic and contemporary art) as well as new miniatures created by 10 to 15 invited Indigenous artists. There will be about 200 works total in the exhibition made by at least 40 Indigenous nations representing North, Central, and South America. The selected miniatures also demonstrate the range of the NMAI collection with tiny baskets, pottery, textiles, watercraft, clothing, houses, carvings, tools, books, and other works.

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 

This internship focuses on enhancing collections database records to better document artist intent, installation requirements, and display-specific parameters. The intern will work with hard-copy and digital files to capture information not readily available in the collections database, including installation instructions, artist interviews, and exhibition iteration reports. Through this work, the intern will help strengthen long-term institutional knowledge, support more accurate, informed installations, and help NMAI care for the legacy of artists and their artworks.

The intern will work jointly with the registration and curatorial departments. Those who are interested in supporting and preserving artist legacies and are excited by the intersection of curatorial practice and meticulous documentation should consider applying.

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.

Education 
The Education Office supports the continuance of Native cultures, traditional values, and learning about contemporary Native issues by providing engaging educational experiences for teachers, parents, and students through programs, resources, and the Native Knowledge 360° curriculum. Education interns help provide relevant learning experiences to teachers and students through lesson alignment with local, national, and NMAI standards, and research on practice and impact, education technology, and hands-on learning. Responsibilities include assisting with teacher tours and education programs, supporting theme or exhibition-based teacher or student workshops, and developing and analyzing evaluation data. Qualifications include a strong interest in formal or informal 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, an interest and/or background in teaching social studies or related fields, anti-bias education, social justice, and community engagement. Candidates should be able to work independently and as a team player in a professional environment; handle multiple tasks at once; and adhere to deadlines. Proficiency is required in Excel, with knowledge of design programs (including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) preferred, but not required. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required. 

Executive Planning Office

Interns will gain skills in museum operations, policy, and strategic planning with the Executive Planning Office, working with project managers on several large cross-departmental museum projects. Students interested in research, evaluation, statistics, and non-profit management are encouraged to apply.

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.

Public Programs

Public programs support and enhance the museum by bringing in Native artisans and cultural demonstrators to share the cultures of diverse Indigenous peoples. Public Programs interns learn about Native cultures, the history and mission of the museum, and details of museum programming, from research and outreach to documentation and implementation. Interns engage with artists and museum visitors to share what they learn about the history and ongoing activities of the museum and learn program operations, develop logical solutions for hands-on activities, and archive records.

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.

Family and Youth Experiences

The Family & Youth Experiences (FYE) team within Interpretive Services is part of the Museum Learning and Programs Department of the National Museum of the American Indian. Our purpose is to implement interpretive and educational public programs by and about Native people for visitors to the museum — including students, teachers, and families across both museum locations in Washington, D.C. and New York City.  

 The Museum Educators lead a variety of public programming which may include tours, workshops, teaching cart programs, and cultural demonstrations. They administer public programs in the exhibition galleries, workshop programs in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center, and school tours and programs. The FYE team also manages a Teaching Collection of approximately 1,000 objects, conducts research on exhibits and related topics in Native Studies, develops new educational programs, and participates in exhibit teams and other museum-wide teams.  Spanish language skills are desired, but is not required. 

Public Programs

Public programs bring diverse Indigenous cultures to the museum through Indigenous artisans, filmmakers, and cultural demonstrators. Interns gain in-depth knowledge of Indigenous cultures and the museum's mission, gaining experience in museum program development, research and outreach, archive records and film curation. Interns can share their knowledge and insights with artists and visitors, enhancing engagement with the museum's history and current activities.