Community Engagement Intern

The Phillips Collection's Internship program is open to full-time undergraduate students, full-time graduate students, and recent graduates. The purpose of the internship program is to offer college students and recent graduates meaningful work, educational experiences, and real-life practice in their fields of academic study and/or interest.

The Phillips Collection’s Community Engagement department provides audiences of all ages with opportunities to engage the community through the museum’s permanent collection, special exhibitions, and projects at both locations, 21st Street NW, and Phillips@THEARC (Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus) located at 1801 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020.  Our work emphasizes viewing, discussing, creating, and exhibiting art while building community: we make friends, sustain relationships, and bring joy. 

The Community Engagement Intern will gain meaningful, hands-on experiences in art-museum community programming while supporting the department’s needs and initiatives. Specifically, the Community Engagement intern will work with the Manager of Community Projects to help develop, facilitate, and assess a variety of workshops and community events at Phillips@THEARC. The Intern will assist with intergenerational audiences in art-based hands-on workshops, exhibition programs, and community festivals.  Although there may be some virtual meetings, this is primarily an in-person position. 

Duration: Internships run ten to fifteen weeks and 12-20 hours per week. Internship length and schedule may vary depending on the needs of the department. This internship will run January 27 to May 2, 2025. Some Wednesday and Thursday evening, and Saturday morning/afternoon work will be required. 

Academic Credit: Depending on the nature of the internship and approval of the student's college or university, academic credit may be granted for internships. Student applicants should consult their academic advisor for additional information.

Please submit a résumé, letter of interest, letter of recommendation, and complete transcripts.

 Responsibilities 

• Support Manager of Community Projects with planning and facilitation of Hands-on artist-led workshops:
  • Participate in planning meetings and on-site workshops.
  • Responsibilities may include researching artists, ordering supplies, making sample artworks, setting up the artmaking space, helping with registration, co-facilitating, assisting participants, photographing events, and debriefing with staff. 
• Support idea development and facilitation for community festivals at Phillips@THEARC.
• Support exhibition programming including opening reception and artist talk at Phillips@THEARC. 
• Assist with additional Community Engagement initiatives and administrative tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• Open to junior and senior undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates.
• Ability to travel around Washington, D.C. 
• Ability to work some weekends and evenings. 
• Experience working with K-12 students, families, intergenerational groups, and older adults. 
• Experience teaching studio art useful. 
• A proactive, positive attitude and excellent problem-solving skills.
• A professional presence demonstrating flexibility and patience while upholding institutional policies and procedures.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Comfort working independently as well as collaboratively.
• Excellent written/oral communication skills.
• Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint-proficient.

The Phillips Collection is an equal opportunity employer and administers all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, veteran status, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.