2026 MoMA Summer Internship Imaging and Visual Resources

About the Summer Internship Program

The Summer Internship Program provides undergraduate and graduate students and beginning professionals with practical experience in a specific area of museum work at The Museum of Modern Art. Interns participate in weekly professional development activities designed to increase understanding of the Museums various collections exhibitions and departments. The Museum hosts approximately 25 interns in various departments across our institution. Participants may arrange for academic credit through their school but it is not a requirement.

MoMA Summer 2026 internships require a commitment of four days per week. The schedule is Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m.5:30 p.m. One must have a minimum of two years of college completed (or equivalent) by June 2026 in order to apply.

All summer intern applications are due by Sunday March 1st by 11:59 PM EST.

Duration:

June 8August 13; Ten Weeks

Application Deadline:

March 1 2026

Decision Notification:

April 20 2026

Stipend:

$6160

Department Projects & Tasks

The intern will primarily contribute to the long-term strategic goals of MoMAs museum-wide Video Preservation and Access project (formerly VDAM). This will involve making the 2025-26 Audio Visual Department event recordings accessible to MoMA staff and external researchers. The recordings encompass MoMAs diverse range of programming including the Film Departments Doc Fortnight and New Directors/New Films as well as yearly events such as the Visual AIDS Research Symposium and the Forum on Contemporary Photography member lecture series and artist talks associated with current exhibitions.

Tasks for this project will include:

• Coordinating with multiple content-producing stakeholder to develop workflows for their video assets.
• Cataloging associated event and object records.
• Preparing and loading the files for access into the Digital Asset Management (DAM) and Conservation Preservation systems.
• Tagging assets with appropriate metadata.

In addition to the main project the intern will contribute to the following departmental tasks:

• Tagging loading and organizing Marketing Communications and Special Events materials such as Opening and Party photography and the 2025 MoMA press materials.
• Assisting with documentation including installation and behind-the-scenes photography within the museum.
• Complete the cataloging and loading of the video backlog from the 2025 and 2026 AV folder videos into the DAM and DRMC.
• Manage the 2025 press materials to be loaded and tagged in the DAM linked in TMS and accessible online on their related exhibition pages.
• Complete one training guide for specific materials in the DAM and hold a session for related staff members.

The internship will provide the ability to discuss and present on a specific project they worked on during their time; real experience using tools including the DAM (NetX) TMS and MoMAs preservation system; experience working across departments at the Museum collaborating with imaging audiovisual preservation and curatorial teams; an understanding of digital asset workflows; and knowledge of Cultural Heritage cataloging metadata and taxonomy.

The interns work is crucial for both access and preservation making research materials from MoMAs most significant eventswhich were previously unavailable to external researchersaccessible via the Digital Asset Management (DAM) system. This greatly simplifies sharing information with outside scholars eliminating the need to travel to the museum. Specifically a large portion of these materials relates to the Film Department including screening talks that have not been cataloged or shared as comprehensively as other exhibition materials in the past. Previous interns played a vital role in the success of the Video Preservation and Access Project. The work significantly expands access to materials from Museum programs including the JAM Archive and Modern Mondays.

Department Skillset Requirements

Candidates with a background in Library and Archives and an interest in Digital Asset Management and Cataloging. Current or recently completed MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science) Film Preservation or Media Preservation Program is preferred. Candidates should have an interest in Digital Asset Management Conservation and Archives.

How to Apply

The following items are required as part of your online application through MoMAs UKG Recruiting Portal:

1. Essay

One essay submitted in PDF format. Essay should be no longer than 650 words and answer the prompt below as follows:

Why are you interested in participating in an internship at The Museum of Modern Art In response be sure to address both:
a) The role of museums and how you envision their potential for evolution
b) Individual or an experience that has influenced your perception of the arts

2. Résumé

Your résumé/curriculum vitae in PDF format directly uploaded to your application.

3. Letter of Recommendation

At least one letter of recommendation in PDF format directly uploaded to your application.

4. Transcript

Transcript(s) of undergraduate and/or graduate records in PDF format directly uploaded to your application.

Unofficial transcripts are accepted. If you do not have access to an unofficial transcript allow sufficient time to order a transcript from your college or university to attach as a PDF by the deadline.

Please note: we will not review applications received after the deadline and we will only review complete applications.

Select applicants will be contacted to arrange interviews in late March. If we request an interview with you we will contact you to arrange a convenient date and time for you.

For a complete list of available internships at MoMA please go to Employment Opportunity Policy Statement:Equal Employment Opportunity has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the Museum where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race color religion sex age national origin disability pregnancy genetic information military or veteran status sexual orientation gender gender identity or expression marital and civil partnership/union status alienage or citizenship status creed genetic predisposition or carrier status unemployment status familial status domestic violence sexual violence or stalking victim status caregiver status arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law credit history or any other protected category as established by applicable law including the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL).

Required Experience:

Intern