Emerging Arts Leader Intern, Summer Public Programs

Seattle Art Museum • Seattle, WA

1d • $21 - $21 • Onsite

About The Position

The Public Engagement department seeks an intern to assist with development, administration, and on-site production of summer programming. This internship will focus on Summer at SAM, an art, music, and community engagement program offered Thursdays and Sundays at Olympic Sculpture Park and a park festival on August 2nd.

Accepting applications through Friday, March 27, 2026.

FSLA STATUS: Temporary, Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: Manager of Public Engagement, Olympic Sculpture Park
COMPENSATION: $21.30 per hour

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Through this position, this intern will gain an understanding of the process involved with creating and implementing public programs at a museum, including:
Supporting the administration and coordination of a summer program series
Collaborating on art activity creation and execution with teaching artists and SAM staff
Supporting the participation of community partners
Evaluation of summer programs to help guide future programming elements
Coordination with staff in other departments to gain a broader perspective on museum work
Attend Enrichment Sessions, informational interviews, and check-ins as available.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Administrative support for events, including onsite coordination, supply orders, filing, printing, and outreach.
Coordinate volunteers and teaching artists for event set up, tear down, and workflow for Thursday and Sunday programs.
Assist teaching artists and work with guests during hands-on art activities.
Develop and deliver a presentation describing lessons learned, key activities, and elements of museum education practice at the end of your internship.
Present your experience to SAM staff your internship experience.
Attend workshops, informational interviews, division meetings, and check-ins as available.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Required Qualifications
Strong project management and organizational skills required, and prior experience with event coordination preferred.
Demonstrated interest in art-making, community service, or arts programming. Competitive candidates will be able to articulate why this internship supports their professional goals in museums, public engagement, or the wider arts industry.
Strong written and communication skills, and ability to clearly articulate goals, progress, and outcomes to a professional audience.
Clear understanding of concepts related to racial equity, intersectionality, and social justice.
Demonstrated proficiency in general computer use, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and proprietary information.
Ability to independently take initiative, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
Ability to work accurately with close attention to detail.
Ability to ask for help and accept supervision and evaluation of your work.
Ability to work with co-workers, vendors, and volunteers professionally and tactfully.
Ability to adhere to museum policies and support management decisions in a positive, professional manner.

ABOUT SAM
Seattle Art Museum’s vision is to be the museum for all of Seattle—a bold, dynamic hub of creativity, belonging, and cultural leadership, shaping the future of art and community. To create a welcoming community where people find inspiration and discover our common humanity through exceptional art and dynamic, engaging programs. Art is always at the start and heart of what we do. Collecting, conserving, and displaying extraordinary works of art is the governing motivation of our museum. So too is fostering a vigorous exchange of ideas while cultivating connection with the broad array of communities we serve. As the leading visual arts institution in the Pacific Northwest, SAM shares its global connections, powerful exhibitions, and dynamic programs to engage, educate, and inspire. SAM is a vibrant, three-site organization that is supported by 365 employees, 10 executive leaders, and more than 200 volunteers.

EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT
15 hours per week, for 10 weeks. Schedule is flexible within Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm office hours. Start and end dates may also be flexible depending on intern needs and academic schedule.
Due to the hands-on nature of this internship, a majority of this position’s work will be on-site. Limited weekly hours for remote work may be available, if flexible scheduling is needed.

WORK CONDITIONS
Exposure: Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with light background noise. Events work will be performed at outdoor sites. Evening events may feature loud noise and bright lights during musical performances.
Stationary Work: Approximately 60% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 40%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required at museum events.
Communication: Clear and effective communication with volunteers, donors, members, the public, and co-workers is necessary.
Moving: The ability to move up to twenty pounds on occasion is necessary for moving files, equipment, and supplies. Must be able to regularly position self to access files.
Office Work: Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare, and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.

ACCOMODATION
If you need assistance applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know at [email protected].

The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for all employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of this position. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. For candidates, we ask that, if possible, you wait until you're invited to a screen, online technical assessment or interview before requesting an accommodation.

$21.30 - $21.30 an hour

Requirements

• Strong project management and organizational skills required, and prior experience with event coordination preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in art-making, community service, or arts programming. Competitive candidates will be able to articulate why this internship supports their professional goals in museums, public engagement, or the wider arts industry.
• Strong written and communication skills, and ability to clearly articulate goals, progress, and outcomes to a professional audience.
• Clear understanding of concepts related to racial equity, intersectionality, and social justice.
• Demonstrated proficiency in general computer use, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and proprietary information.
• Ability to independently take initiative, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work accurately with close attention to detail.
• Ability to ask for help and accept supervision and evaluation of your work.
• Ability to work with co-workers, vendors, and volunteers professionally and tactfully.
• Ability to adhere to museum policies and support management decisions in a positive, professional manner.

Responsibilities

• Administrative support for events, including onsite coordination, supply orders, filing, printing, and outreach.
• Coordinate volunteers and teaching artists for event set up, tear down, and workflow for Thursday and Sunday programs.
• Assist teaching artists and work with guests during hands-on art activities.
• Develop and deliver a presentation describing lessons learned, key activities, and elements of museum education practice at the end of your internship.
• Present your experience to SAM staff your internship experience.
• Attend workshops, informational interviews, division meetings, and check-ins as available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed