Latino Museum Studies Program Undergraduate Internship

The Head of Exhibit Design shows a group of interns sample design plans at Smithsonian Exhibits facilities.

About the LMSP-Undergraduate Internship

The Latino Museum Studies Program (LMSP) Undergraduate Internship is a museum career pathway program designed to increase hands-on training opportunities for Latina, Latino, and Latinx-identifying undergraduate students interested in art museum careers. The program focuses in non-curatorial museum roles including the areas of conservation, museum education, interpretation, digital culture, collections management, and exhibition design, fabrication and production. With generous support from the Mellon Foundation, the National Museum of the American Latino has partnered with the National Gallery of Art and select universities to diversify opportunities in museum studies and practice. The program seeks to catalyze change in a field where only 5% of key museum positions are filled by people who identify as Latina, Latino, or Latinx.

Undergraduate Internship Components

The internship is a full-time (~ 40hrs per week) semester-away experience. The program focuses on developing museum practice and is offered in two components: 

  1. Lectures, workshops, and behind-the-scenes tours at the Smithsonian
    Museum professionals and leaders from within and outside of the Smithsonian will lead interactive tours and discussions providing participants a unique opportunity to learn about trends and best practices in museum work and the humanities. (1 week) 
  2. Practicum at a Smithsonian museum or the National Gallery of Art 
    Participants are matched to a practicum based on their background and experience, and how well the project aligns with their future goals. Participants will receive focused mentorship from their practicum supervisors. (11 weeks)

Participation is free and includes: 

  • Accommodations in Washington, D.C. for the duration of the 12-week program 
  • Round-trip travel to Washington, D.C. from within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico)
  • A $533 weekly stipend to support local transportation and meals 

Who Should Apply

Undergraduate students enrolled in accredited U.S. colleges and universities at the time of application, graduating in the Spring or Summer of 2023 are eligible to apply.

Applicants must also be authorized to work in the United States. This includes US Citizens, Green Card holders, DACA recipients, and international students. Please note that participants may be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination to the Smithsonian.  

Relevant majors include, but are not limited to: Art, Art History, Art or Museum Education, Arts Management, Museum Conservation, Design, Digital Humanities, Museum Studies, Latino Studies, Anthropology, History, and related fields. If you meet these requirements and are interested in exploring a museum we encourage you to apply! 

Application Process

 Applications are submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA). The following dates apply to the 2023 cycle:

  • Program dates: Monday, August 28 to Friday November 17, 2023
  • Application opens: Thursday, March 2, 2023
  • Deadline to apply 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday, April 7, 2023
  • Selection notifications will be sent out in late April.

Please review the following materials before starting your application:

Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by an independent selection committee. The committee will nominate selected participants, then LMSP program staff will match interns to a practicum based on their experience and career goals. If selected, and if required for your individual academic plan, you will be responsible for arranging academic credit with your university.  

Have any questions?

Join us! Program staff will give an Open House presentation about the LMSP Undergraduate Internship to prospective applicants on Wednesday, March 8 at 3 p.m. ET. Register here.  

Program staff will hold “office hours” to answer questions about the program and application process on:

Tuesday, March 28 at 3 pm ET. Register here.
Wednesday, March 29 at 12 pm ET. Register here.
Tuesday, April 4 at 6 pm ET. Register here.

Resources

Questions? Please contact LMSPInfo@si.edu  

If you are a student from one of our partner universities and would like to address questions to a representative of your university, please contact: 

Additional Resources

 

Back to Top