McMullan Arts Leadership Intern

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.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range: $17.50/per hour

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors including skill set experience qualifications and other job-related reasons.

• This position is not benefits eligible
• Job classification: Part time temporary hourly staff

• Duration of Position: February 2026 through May/June 2026

This is a part-time Spring semester position for a currently enrolled or recent graduate of an undergraduate or graduate program. The intern will work 14 hours (2 days) per week for a total of up to 266 hours over the course of the internship. Saturdays are required and the internship is fully onsite.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Learning Center is a platform for culturally responsive experiences that bring young people and the adults around them into dynamic and inspiring encounters with art. The department serves children teens families students and educators through a diverse array of programs partnerships and resources. These include field trips workshops studios internships events neighborhood-based engagements and professional development experiences; and we serve all museum audiences through our free accessible public learning space also named the Ryan Learning Center.

ABOUT THE POSITION

This internship offers an aspiring museum professional the opportunity to explore and contribute to a range of activities within the area of Creative Spaces a division of the Ryan Learning Center. The Creative Spaces team designs family artmaking programs and learning installations for visitors to the Ryan Learning Center. This internship role will support daily facilitation in the Art Exchange our public drop-in space for multigenerational visitors; contribute to preparation of art-making materials; assist with live programs; and support the installation of educational displays.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Working with Creative Spaces staff the intern will:

• Contribute to the development of art-making programs for multigenerational audiences; attend design and planning meetings;
• Support monthly family events assisting teaching artists and interacting with family visitors;
• Work regular shifts in the Art Exchange during public hours; welcome and assist children and their caregivers with art-making and play-based learning;
• Prepare art supplies for programs and large-scale events;
• Assist with the installation care and maintenance of interactive learning displays in the Art Exchange;
• Support with administration of evaluation tools to audiences collect and analyze data;
• Participate in department meetings and museum-wide intern programming to expand their understanding of other departments and work across the museum.
• With training and under the supervision of staff operates cutting equipment such as paper cutting guillotines Exacto knives and scissors;
• Operates computers printers and other standard office equipment.

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;
• Studying arts education studio arts and/or museum studies;
• Experience teaching assistant teaching tutoring or mentoring children in informal or formal education settings (such as a school camp college after-school program community center or museum);
• Familiarity with art-making materials and techniques;
• Strong communication creative thinking and collaborative skills;
• Spanish-language fluency is an asset in this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Daily standing or active movement for periods of 2-3 hours;
• Occasionally lifts and moves packages of up to 30 pounds with or without assistance.

APPLICATION:

All of the requested materials below (resume and essay responses) must be uploaded into only one pdf document. List your last name and SP26 in the title of the file (example: LAST .) 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 and how you think. Please submit the following materials:

• Résumé
• 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:
• What about this job description interests you the most
• 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
• How do you envision this opportunity helping you towards your professional goals

DEADLINE: The deadline to submit an application to this position is January 16 2026 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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact the Department of Human Resources at

Required Experience:

Intern