McMullan Arts Leadership Internship Program

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Position Summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is excited to invite current undergraduate and recent graduates (within one year of graduation) to apply to our McMullan Arts Leadership Internship Program.

The goals of the McMullan Arts Leadership internship program is to be part of a museum-wide effort to provide students the opportunity to gain experience, career awareness, networks, and skills that will position them to thrive as future art museum leaders.  

This program specifically aims to support students who encounter economic challenges when considering a career in the arts. 

Aligned with this goal, we aim to help shape a diverse group of leaders whose actions are informed by a wide range of perspectives, varying career paths, and values inspired by their own lived experiences.  

All internships are for the summer of 2026 and begin the week of June 1, 2026 and end the week of August 3, 2026.

Click on each link below to view the specific responsibilities, qualifications and application requirements.

Submittals must state the specific internship of interest.

If applying for multiple roles, specify all internships titles in the application materials (See Application Instructions below).

Internships are offered in the following areas: 

• Revenue System Operations, Ticketing & Admissions Administration
• Photography and Media
• Provenance Research
• Experience Design, Digital content
• Prints and Drawings
• Conservation and Science
• Philanthropy, Donor Stewardship
• Modern and Contemporary Art

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or recent graduates (within one year of graduation)
• The ability to attend the program in person when required.
• Ability to multitask
• Students who are eligible to work in the United States (including individuals currently on student visas).
• Attention to detail
• Excellent organization and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Familiarity with MS Office and Google Professional Suite

Compensation & Benefits

Hiring Range:  $17.50 per hour. Maximum of 28 hours per week. (280 hours over the course of the internship)

These positions are not benefits eligible.

• Job Classification: Hourly
• Employment Category: Intern

Application Instructions (Required for Consideration)

We welcome applications for as many internships as you are interested in. To be considered, you must follow these instructions exactly:

1. Submit all required materials (résumé and essay responses) for each internship. Essays MUST correspond to each different department, not to the overall internship program.
2. Combine the materials for each internship into a single PDF file. Name each file using this format:
   [LAST NAME]SUMMER2026[INTERNSHIP TITLE].pdf
   (Example: SMITH_SUMMER2026_PHOTOGRAPHY.pdf)
3. When applying to multiple internships, you must submit a separate PDF for each role following the same naming convention. Each internship requires