Smithsonian Leadership for Change Intern
The Smithsonian and its Smithsonian Affiliates, in collaboration with the Emerson Collective Youth Collaborative and the George Washington University, will offer the Leadership for Change Internship to rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are committed to helping communities, are passionate about social justice, and are driven to accelerate positive impact in our world.
Smithsonian Affiliations is committed to helping people across the globe understand the complexity and the nuances of our world by collaborating with a network of mission-aligned Affiliate organizations in this critical work. The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, and its network of Smithsonian Affiliates believe in the power of museums and cultural organizations to strengthen and transform our world. This change cannot happen without diversity—not just of race or ethnicity, but also of ideas, experience, and perspective.
This internship provides an opportunity for students to use their dedication to social justice, combined with their skills and life experience to support museums and cultural organizations in affecting change in our communities. Students will become museum advocates and explore new ways to bring museum content, resources, and expertise to communities near and far.
There are two (2) types of internship opportunities with the Smithsonian in Summer 2023:
- Hybrid: 3 weeks onsite at a Smithsonian Affiliate; 5 weeks virtual
- In Person: 8 weeks at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Projects will focus on one or more of 4 core topic areas:
- Women’s History
- Climate Change
- Race and Social Justice
- The Changing American Narrative (including rural initiatives, immigration, education, civics, democracy, and other topics).
Interns may find placement and learning opportunities in:
- Digital engagement
- Educational equity and accessibility
- Communications
- International relations
- Exhibition development
- National and community outreach
- Museum advocacy
Both hybrid and in-person internship options include opportunities to network with the full Emerson Collective summer cohort. Interns will have access to the breadth and depth of Smithsonian and Affiliate resources, meet with Smithsonian leaders, and gain an understanding of how museums and cultural organizations are vital in providing platforms to discuss, understand, and solve some of the biggest challenges facing the world today. Interns will also participate in enrichment programming with Emerson Collective, designed to develop leadership capacity and build professional networks.
Apply at:
https://www.emersoncollective.com/programs/internships/ecyc/