The mission of the National Museum of African American History and Culture Internship Program is to provide equitable and meaningful temporary workplace-based learning experiences guided by staff mentors across a broad range of museum career fields to support the academic and professional goals of future museum leaders and advocates.
Internships at the National Museum of African American History and Culture offer undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates and career changers opportunities to work closely with professionals and scholars in the museum field. The museum provides a dynamic learning environment and access to supportive mentors that help interns reach their educational and professional goals. Interns can gain practical museum skills and program development experience in a variety of traditional and non-traditional museum careers.
Internships are available as full-time (30-40 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours or less) positions from 10 to 13 weeks throughout the year with the possibility for an extension. Start dates and duration may be flexible and arranged with approval from the mentor.
- Summer Internships (June-August): February 15th Application Deadline
Internships are offered as virtual (online and remote), hybrid (virtual with 2-3 days onsite a week as scheduled), or onsite (entire internship to occur at The National Museum of African American History and Culture or other Smithsonian facilities) experiences.
Hybrid and onsite internships will offer onsite learning experiences at the National Museum of African American History and Culture or an alternate Smithsonian office space in Washington, DC accessible via public transportation.
Learn more, including how to apply, at https://nmaahc.si.edu/connect/internships-fellowships/internships
See all open internships at https://nmaahc.si.edu/connect/internships-fellowships/opportunities
Opportunities include the following:
Natural Speech Machine Learning Research Internship
- Full-Time Remote Internship
- $850/week
- June 1 – August 28, 2026
Desired Majors and Areas of Study: Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, English, or Risk Management
The Information Technology Department resides within The Office of Operations at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), and is responsible for the overall planning, direction and management of the Museum’s IT programs and operations. Conducting business analysis to identify Museum business needs and goals and develop innovative solutions to resolve difficult issues, identifying management improvements and cost savings, and effectively leveraging emerging opportunities. This department designs, secures, provisions, and supports information systems used to manage the museum’s core functions including advancement/membership, visitor services, collections management, office automation environment. The IT Department does not manage web services, application development, interactive technologies, or audio-visual systems.
The Natural Speech Machine Learning Research Intern will explore and validate applications systems at the NMAAHC which include acquiring and/or developing data library, machine learning tools deploying and maintaining training models and fulling documenting the process and products while supporting the Smithsonian community in the innovative, efficient use of technology to advance the Institution’s mission. The intern will conduct foundational R&D support development of use cases that explore new, exciting safe ways to gather public feedback in public exhibition spaces. The intern can anticipate learning to:
- Define science-based strategies to gathering public feedback using AI assisted analysis.
- Identify relevant policy, laws, and best practices for digitally capturing audio information.
- Define framework and schema for English Lexical categorization.
- Use AI models to automate Lexical capture task.
- Create a viable business use case using academic methods and scientific reasoning.
A background in technical studies or English language will increase success. Demonstrated skills in one or more of the following, Communication, Critical Thinking & Analysis, Research, Problem-Solving, Editing & Detail Orientation, Empathy & Cultural Awareness are beneficial. Strong collaboration and teamwork skills and creativity will be leveraged to create multidiscipline solutions to complex problems. The foundational work will be used as a starting point for future intern exploration.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Researching developing use cases natural voice analysis in English, to include Data Classification, Privacy, best practices, security, and English lexicon analysis and categorization.
- Develop a machine learning strategy and select candidate AI Models.
- Conduct interviews with curation, exhibition and visitor and guest services subject matter experts to define requirements.
- Attend Regular development meeting with OCIO leaders and scheduled meeting and events with NMAAHC Education and Intern offices.
Marketing Internship
- Hybrid Full-Time Internship
- $850/week
- June 1 – August 28, 2026
Desired Majors and Areas of Study: Marketing, Social Media, Strategic Communications, Content Creation, Creative Writing and Graphic Design
The Marketing Internship is located within the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). OPA oversees all media, marketing, communications, social media and web content for the Museum. The primary role of the department is to promote the Museum’s exhibitions, public programs and educational initiatives. This department is also responsible for enhancing the Museum's brand and reputation. Staff members develop communications plans and publicity campaigns for events, exhibition openings, fundraising, special events and membership activities.
The Marketing Intern will gain valuable experiences in the areas of communications, marketing, and social media content creation. They will assist with monitoring and reporting on the success of social media initiatives and use storytelling techniques to bring objects in the museum collection to life online. The intern can anticipate learning:
- Enhanced understanding of advertising, branding and marketing principles
- Application of tools to facilitate asset management and improve marketing operations
- Analysis of data and information to identify opportunities and track trends
- Creation of strategies, plans and creative concepts to reach targeted audiences
- Use of storytelling techniques to bring objects in the museum collection to life online
- Assistance with monitoring and reporting on the success of social media initiatives
- Interaction with museum audiences across platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
- Strategic thinking about museum messages and educational approaches
Experience with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, and the professional use of social media platforms preferred. Applicants should submit a writing and/or creative sample.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Conducting research and gathering information to assist with the process of selecting, securing and tracking advertising placements
- Record keeping and gathering materials for procurement, informational and briefing packages
- Proposing ideas for engaging and compelling print and online graphic products including advertisements (print, online, social media), signage, posters, flyers, press kits and other marketing materials
- Research and implement new creative strategies for expanding social media reach
- Produce writing and multimedia products that meet the high-quality standards of the Smithsonian Institution
- Interface effectively with many kinds of museum staff including curators, educators, exhibition designers, and others
- Attend NMAAHC virtual events to develop content for blog and other social media platforms
