Paid Internships at Aperture
Aperture is a nonprofit publisher that leads conversations around photography worldwide. From our base in New York, Aperture connects global audiences and supports artists through our acclaimed quarterly magazine, books, exhibitions, digital platforms, public programs, limited-edition prints, and awards. Established in 1952 to advance “creative thinking, significantly expressed in words and photographs,” Aperture champions photography’s vital role in nurturing curiosity and encouraging a more just, tolerant society.
Aperture’s Work Scholar Program welcomes individuals to engage in Aperture’s programs and contribute to the editing, design, production, circulation, sales, and marketing of photography’s most significant publications; the development of major traveling exhibitions; educational programs for children and adults; the creation of web content; and all other business operations essential to a nonprofit organization.
In addition to working closely with the Aperture staff and contributing to the day-to-day office work flow, work scholars make contacts within the photo community at Aperture events and through meetings with various professionals in the photography field. Aperture’s Chelsea location offers the unique opportunity to work in New York City and have access to art galleries, museums, and other art-related facilities.
Interns serve on a paid part-time basis (24 hours per week) for which they receive $18 per hour, as well as complimentary copies of Aperture magazine. This internship requires a commitment of three days per week under a hybrid work model. The schedule for the three days is 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Applicants must make their own living arrangements. Current college students as well as recent graduates are encouraged to apply. College credit is available for this program.
Education and Public Programs Work Scholar
The Education and Public Programs Department is responsible for conceptualizing, producing, and managing a range of educational programs at Aperture and off-site. These include but are not limited to the following programs:
- Talks, Lectures, and Panel Discussions: conversations with leading curators, scholars, authors, photographers, collectors, and editors.
- Professional Development Workshops: designed for new and experienced photography educators to create and interpret meaningful images.
- Work Scholar Program: professional training in the operation of a not-for-profit organization.
- Calls for Entry: there are two open calls for submissions; the Paris Photo–Aperture PhotoBook Awards and the Aperture Portfolio Prize.
- Aperture On Sight: a curriculum designed to teach visual literacy through working with photography and creating photobooks.
What you can expect to learn
- How to contribute to the development of new educational programs in support of Aperture’s mission.
- What role education plays on a programmatic level at a not-for-profit devoted to a wide array of communication and creative endeavors.
- How to collaborate with artists to conceptualize, plan, promote, and manage programs.
- How to work with other departments to develop and promote educational programs.
- How to conduct online educational research.
- What visual literacy means and how to utilize it.
- How to organize and coordinate a call for entry from start to finish.
Departmental Duties
- Assist with drafting educational materials, which include: learning guides, exhibition resources, and procedure packets for work scholars.
- Assist with set-up and break-down of programs and events off-site.
- Write and circulate event descriptions for Aperture’s public programs.
- Assist with coordinating field trips, lunch seminars, and other educational activities involving the work scholars.
- Help to coordinate the next work scholar term by processing and circulating applications.
- Maintain customer service e-mail accounts (Education, Work Scholars, Portfolio Prize, and Book Awards).
- Assist with the organization and promotion of the calls for entry.
- Assist Aperture’s Teaching Artist in the classroom and in workshops, teaching visual thinking strategies.
General Work Scholar Responsibilities
- Gain working knowledge of Aperture's mission and role within the field of photography
- Join staff and project-specific meetings as necessary
- Participate in workshops and training sessions
- Complete pre-, mid-, and post-term evaluations
Requirements
Excellent organizational, writing, and communication skills; an interest in arts education (some educational experience in photography is preferred); advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel; some experience with Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, and Mailchimp; ability to multitask and take initiative; strong people and social skills.
Suggestions: Have a positive outlook; know there is much to learn and experience!
Communications Work Scholar
The Communications department ensures maximum public awareness of Aperture’s mission and work as a nonprofit across all elements of programming: two annual seasons of books, the quarterly Aperture magazine, educational events, and touring exhibitions. Visibility and engagement are generated through earned media and editorial press coverage, social and digital content and campaigns, cross-promotional efforts with other organizations, and a range of programs including artist lectures and book signings in New York and around the world. The Communications department collaborates with all teams at Aperture to strategize and prioritize the promotion of key initiatives and programs.
What You Can Expect to Learn
- The development and execution of a strategic promotional strategy across communications platforms
- How to pitch and secure media attention
Departmental Duties
- Maintain and expand Aperture's press database
- Maintain accurate records of all external communications and coverage
- Research new media outlets, writers, and influencers for outreach
- Review and select relevant quotes from articles
- Prepare and send press materials to journalists (books, images, press releases, book prize submission materials, etc.)
- Pitch new titles, exhibitions, and events to media outlets
- Manage Aperture’s online press room
- Coordinate and create weekly newsletter; create press clips
- Coordinate and format assets utilizing Wordpress, InDesign, and Mailchimp
General Work Scholar Responsibilities
- Gain working knowledge of Aperture’s mission and role within the field of photography
- Join staff and project-specific meetings as necessary
- Participate in workshops and training sessions
- Complete pre-, mid-, and post-term evaluations
- Work occasional events and programs
Requirements
Excellent organizational, writing, and communication skills; advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel; some experience with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Mailchimp, and WordPress; and an interest in photography and the arts.
TO APPLY
Please apply using the link below. Please send a resume and professional cover letter in one PDF attachment and describe how your skills and experience meet the qualifications.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. NO CALLS, PLEASE. Only applicants who meet our requirements for this position will be contacted. Aperture will be offering a salary of $18 per hour to start for this position. This position will start in July, 2026. This position is hybrid, part-time at 24 hours a week, with two days in the office and one day remote.
Aperture seeks to build a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes all applications, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, cultural background, disability, age, or religion. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of our strategic thinking and reflected in the selection of artists and writers that we publish, the public programs we present, and our ongoing work to diversify our staff and board.