McMullan Arts Leadership Intern, Exhibition Design

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 centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context demanding continual dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive inclusive understanding of human creativity.

The Exhibition Design department is responsible for the three-dimensional design of all temporary exhibitions and permanent collection galleries across the museum. Our work brings together architecture design and storytelling to create meaningful experiences for visitors. The team includes designers with diverse backgrounds united by a shared commitment to collaboration creativity and cultural engagement.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The McMullan Arts Leadership Intern in Exhibition Design will work directly with the exhibition design team as a contributing member on projects at various stages of development. The intern will gain exposure to the full scope of the exhibition design process from concept to installation and develop hands-on skills through tasks such as drafting layouts preparing models and supporting design documentation.

The intern will join a museum-wide intern cohort and have access to a range of programs to support their development in addition to their placement in Exhibition Design. Mentorship is provided throughout the experience and connections with an intern alumni network will be established.

• Expected Range: $16.73 per hour
• Job classification: Intern
• Grade level: Not applicable

Goals of the McMullan Arts Leadership Internship Program

The McMullan Arts Leadership internship program is 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.

INTERNSHIP OUTCOMES:

In this position the intern will have the opportunity to:

Develop skills in the professional practice of exhibition design by contributing to active exhibition projects at various stages of development.

Experience developing a design concept and materializing an idea into physical form or space.

Strengthen collaboration skills within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Develop an understanding of museum operations and exhibition development workflows from initial planning through installation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Collaborate with and support the Exhibition Design team on active projects contributing to all phases of the design process from concept development through installation.

Produce design materials including floor plans elevations maquettes and 3D models using software such as Vectorworks and SketchUp.

Conduct site surveys and model existing gallery spaces to support current and future exhibition planning.

Participate in regular team meetings and intern cohort programs including mentorship check-ins and museum-wide professional development sessions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Undergraduate or graduate student; recent graduates (within one year of graduation) will also be considered;

Applicants must be based in the Chicagoland area and/or attending school in the Chicagoland area over the course of the internship term;

Academic background in Architecture Interior Design Industrial Design or a related field;

Strong communication skills and a collaborative proactive mindset;

Interest in the relationship between art architecture and design;

Willingness to learn new software including Vectorworks and SketchUp if not already familiar.

Preferred:

Familiarity with design software such as Vectorworks SketchUp Adobe Creative Suite or Rhino.

Experience with model-making spatial design or exhibition-related projects.

Demonstrated ability to think critically about design in cultural or institutional contexts.

APPLICATION:

You must upload all of the requested materials below (resume and essay responses) into only one pdf document and list your last name and AY 25-26 in the title of the file (example: LAST NAMEAY .) Please upload your materials where asked in the online application. Please make the digital portfolio present as an accessible website Dropbox or Google Drive hyperlink in your resume. Please upload your materials where asked in the online application.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not be considered if any requested application element is missing.

To apply for this internship tell us your story. We want to understand who you are what motivates you how you think and where youre coming from. Please submit the following materials:

Resume

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a portfolio showcasing their design work.

Instead of a traditional cover letter please respond to the following questions in short essays (no more than 300 words per answer.) We encourage you to provide specific examples to support your answers or to illustrate your ideas:

o What about this job description interests you the most

o With the mission of the McMullan Arts Leadership intern program in mind what perspectives might you bring to this role that you think museums need more of

o How do you envision this opportunity helping you towards your professional goals

o Describe a design project you contributed to what was your role and what did you learn through the process

DEADLINE: The deadline to submit an application to this position is Friday July 25 at 11:59 pm CDT. We will not accept late applications. We will contact the candidates we want to interview within three weeks of our deadline.

INTERNSHIP INFORMATION

Duration of Position: 32 weeks / September 2025 (start date anytime during the week of September 2226) through April 2026 (end date anytime during the week of April 27May 1)

Compensation: Paid / $16.73/hr

Schedule: This is a part-time 32-week position for a currently enrolled or recently graduated undergraduate or graduate student. The intern will work 14 hours per week for a total of up to 448 hours over the course of the internship. Work days will occur between MondayFriday; the start date and schedule will be determined upon agreement with the candidate and the host department.

Hourlong virtual and in-person intern professional development programs will be scheduled throughout the internship term that the student is strongly encouraged to attend. These programs will occur during the week; we ask that the intern make this part of their internship schedule.

Format: The internship will be a hybrid of onsite and remote workdays. Internet access and appropriate technology will be necessary to complete this internship; technological accommodations will be provided by the Art Institute of Chicago based on necessity.

Number of openings: 1

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 centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context demanding continual dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Required Experience:

Intern