2026 Exhibition Design Intern : Spring

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization.

Job Description : Position Title :

2026 Exhibition Design Intern : Spring

Position Type : Part Time

Classification : Non-Exempt

Department : Art Management

Reports to :

Head of Exhibition Design

Position Summary :

The intern selected for the Exhibitions Design position will need to have an open and inquisitive mind that is not afraid to explore and approach tasks with wonder. Under the guidance and direction of the Head of Exhibition Design, the intern will learn, assist, and observe how design work at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary is inspiring, surprising and meets the needs of every project. Interns will collaboratively engage with a variety of stakeholders in the design process and explore and implement a variety of methods for design ideation with the aim of engaging colleagues and guests.

Duties and Responsibilities :

The Exhibitions Design intern will learn, apply and / or assist in

Exhibition planning, production, and implementation Coordination and planning for the implementation of space construction, media and tech installation, casework and furniture fabrication, and art installation Gain knowledge of assessing of structural integrity and construction methods Principles techniques and best practices of exhibition design, lighting and / or theatrical set design Create and present design presentations Learn principles and benefits of universal design, Smithsonian guidelines for accessible exhibition design and ADA standards for accessible design Learn basic curatorial and exhibition design processes and practices

Qualifications :

Applicants pursuing a degree in Architecture Design, Environmental Design, Fine Arts, Sustainable Design, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Interior Architecture or similar programs are strongly encouraged to apply.

Current High School or Undergraduate students

or

recent graduates within the last 36 months from an accredited college or university are encouraged to apply

Ability to think critically

Willingness to be creative, energetic, and accountable, especially with self-directed tasks

Detail oriented

Ability to multi-task

Ability to communicate effectively

Timeline :

Intern selected by : December 1st

Schedule :

Start Date : January 26, 2026

End Date : April 18, 2026

Inclement Weather Start Dates : February 2nd or February 9th

Inclement Weather End Date : May 2, 2026

Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor

Undergraduate Interns : up to 20 hours per week

To qualify for bachelor's or master's hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.

Compensation :

Undergraduate Interns : $13.00

To qualify for bachelor's or master's compensation, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.

Required Documents : Cover Letter

Resume

Physical Demands and Work Environment :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands : In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye / hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

Work environment : Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. The noise level in the museum work environment is usually low to moderate.

If the intern's personal equipment is used, the museum accepts no liability for any damage caused to said equipment while being used for museum purposes, nor loss or corruption of electronic files on devices.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.