The mission of the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies (SCEMS) is to interpret the collective knowledge of the Smithsonian and serve as a gateway to the Institution's education resources. Through research, publishing, and staff development programs for the education and museum communities, the Center promotes the understanding and use of museums.

As the central office of education, The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies (SCEMS) is well-positioned to give interns a broad overview of the Smithsonian Institution, introductions to the wide variety of work that museum and education professionals here are involved in, and an opportunity to participate in a deeper level with special projects.

We anticipate having the following UNPAID internship positions available for the Fall, and will begin to review applications after July 15, until filled.  Please use the online SOLAA system to apply at https://solaa.si.edu.  Register for SOLAA, Select Internship and Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies.

Publications and New Media Intern
Internship for candidate with strong writing skills to rewrite 1,000+ descriptions of web resources in online database. Intern will review current descriptions of these resources (and the resources themselves) and will then compose descriptions that are brief but lively, and that are targeted to teachers’ interests and needs. Depending on length of internship, other writing assignments may be available.  Marketing, Journalism, Writing, English, as well as Liberal-Arts majors encouraged to apply. Start and End dates are flexible; Part-time position.  Please submit a writing sample in the ESSAY section of the SOLAA system; Select the ‘Website, New Media and Electronic Publications’ project in SOLAA.

Audience Evaluation / Education Outcomes Intern
This internship provides assistance in implementing selected evaluation projects for education programs across the entire Smithsonian Institution. The intern will assist in the different phases of evaluation projects, from participating in the conceptualization and the collection and analysis of data to reporting the results to different audiences. The intern will be exposed to statistical analysis and collection and analysis of qualitative data (focus groups and in-depth interviews). Upon availability, the intern will also be exposed to other projects organized by the Education Outcomes Manager. The internship will offer a unique opportunity to work with and experience different Smithsonian Units.

We consider this position a great opportunity for a senior college student or graduate student with interest in education, evaluation, museums or public program planning.  Applicants with experience in those areas are invited to apply, as well as those with Anthropology or Sociology backgrounds. At least 3 days per week or 20 + hours. Flexible schedule, but at least a 6 month commitment to the project. In the ESSAY section of SOLAA, be sure to describe a work or class project in which you interviewed the public.  Select the ‘Audience Research, Interviewing and Evaluation’ project in SOLAA.

Public Programs Intern
Assist Program Managers with a variety of public and education programs, from planning to implementation to evaluation; Programs have included Smithsonian Teacher’s Night, Heritage Month (http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/heritage_month/index.html), and seminar programs.  We consider this position a great opportunity for a junior or senior college student or graduate student with interest in education, evaluation, museums or public program planning. At least 3 days per week or 20 + hours. Flexible schedule.  In the ESSAY section of SOLAA, be sure to describe a work or class project in which you planned an event. Select the ‘Heritage Month, Public and Seminar Programs’ project in SOLAA.

How to Apply
Please apply using the Smithsonian online application system https://solaa.si.edu. Paper applications will not be considered.

Please be aware that complete applications must include the following:

• Internship Program application form
• Academic transcripts (unofficial are acceptable)
• Personal essay (use this to tell us how the internship will advance your academic/career goals and answer the specific question asked in the project description above)
• Two letters of reference – either uploaded by you or by your reference (or a combination)

Essential Tips for the Online Application: We’re Paperless!
• Do NOT submit your application until all necessary components are uploaded (i.e. transcripts, personal essay, resume). Once submitted, you cannot upload or change anything within the application.
• An unofficial or official transcript can be uploaded by first scanning the document and saving it as a .pdf or .jpeg. Please do not mail the transcript separately.
• Make sure that you click the “send email” button. This triggers the system to email your referees with instructions for uploading the reference letter. Please advise your reference of this in advance.

Deadlines are rolling, however we begin an internal review of applications for positions after the following dates:
• Spring (January – May) October 15th
• Summer (June – August) February 1st
• Fall (September – December) July 15th

Eligibility
Qualifications vary depending upon the project, but most are for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students. Student status, however, is not a prerequisite. Opportunities are generally not available for high school students.

Questions
If you have any questions about the application process or SCEMS’ internships, please send inquiries to tspinale@si.edu. If you have questions concerning the SOLAA application, please go to the Help section on the SOLAA website.

Security
All interns 18 years or older are required to undergo a security background investigation and fingerprinting through the Office of Protection Services before they are accepted into the program.

Katzenberger Art History Internship Program

The Katzenberger Foundation Art History Internship Program is a need-based program supporting internships for undergraduates in research and collections projects at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The program is generously funded by the Katzenberger Foundation and administered by the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies. Depending upon grant funding, six to seven internships are offered yearly during the summer, and located in Washington, D.C., at the Smithsonian’s art museums and archives, and a $5,000 stipend is awarded to the student. The summer internship lasts 10 weeks from the beginning of June until mid-August. The program is open to U.S. citizens (only), enrolled as undergraduate Juniors, Seniors, or equivalent, in a degree granting program, at an accredited institution, with a declared art history major, concentration, or related discipline, who qualify for federal student aid.

Past projects have included Islamic manuscript curatorial assistant, oral history documentation at the Archives of American Art, American and Asian Art collections management at the Freer and Sackler Galleries, Library intern at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Library, Collections intern at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and education projects at the National Portrait Gallery. Final summary report and evaluation required.

How to Apply
Please apply using the Smithsonian online application system https://solaa.si.edu. Paper applications will not be considered.
1. Register for SOLAA
2. Select “internship”
3. Select “Smithsonian Katzenberger Art History Internship Program”

Please be aware that complete applications must include the following:
Resume
Academic Essay: 3-4 pages describing how your academic goals, qualifications, and career aspirations relate to art history and the internship program at the Smithsonian
Academic Transcripts: can be official or unofficial; URL links not accepted
Two letters of reference from professors; If preferred, a professor can e-mail the reference letter directly to tspinale@si.edu.