2026 MoMA Summer Internship - Development, Individual Philanthropy

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 Museum’s 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 8—August 13; Ten Weeks

Application Deadline:

March 1, 2026

Decision Notification:

April 20, 2026

Stipend:

$6,160

Department Projects & Tasks

The Individual Philanthropy Intern will work on three key aspects of the Museum’s fundraising efforts:

• Donor Stewardship: Support the creation and distribution of donor stewardship materials, including exhibition summaries, stewardship letters, and gift acknowledgements. In addition, assist with the planning and execution of one or more donor cultivation events
• Database Management: Undertake a comprehensive data and information management project within the Museum’s physical and digital files, updating donor contact information, and expanding research data.
• Research Projects: Analyze current committee practices and develop new standards for stewardship and engagement. Collaborate with curatorial and development representatives to understand, record, and address departmental needs.

The Individual Philanthropy intern will gain practical experience in fundraising at a major cultural institution. This includes donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and requires writing and organizational skills, as well as familiarity with database management and working in a complex organization. Additionally, the intern will develop essential administrative skills, such as file organization, proficiency with CRM databases, and project management. This role includes exposure to and work in Salesforce, Asana, and Emarsys. Intern projects will support the Museum’s ongoing fundraising efforts, with a focus on planning and preparation for communications to donors in the new fiscal year.

Department Skillset Requirements

Candidates with a demonstrated interest or experience in the arts and/or arts administration, preferably fundraising and relationship management. Sound judgment and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion is also required of the applicant. Excellent oral, written, and communication skills are required and a familiarity with Microsoft Office, Asana, and CRM database is a plus.

How to Apply

The following items are required as part of your online application through MoMA's 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 www.moma.org/about/careers/internships

Equal 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”).