Office of People and Culture Internship (Sep 2024)

About Whitney Museum

The Whitney Museum of American Art is a prominent institution founded by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney in 1930, renowned for its collection and exhibition of 20th and 21st-century American art. They curate, preserve, and showcase innovative artworks, serving as a vibrant hub for exploring the diversity and evolution of American artistic expression.

Your role

Internship program overview

The Whitney’s Academic Year Internship program offers a semester-long paid internship for undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited academic program. The internship is hybrid, with some onsite work. For Fall 2024, interns commit between 16–21 hours per week over 10–12 weeks for a total of 200 hours. Interns are assigned to a specific department at the Museum for the duration of the internship.

The Whitney seeks an Office of People and Culture intern for the Fall 2024 semester.

Expected Projects & Assignments

• Assist the Employee Experience team with talent acquisition and staff onboarding efforts, and troubleshoot existing hiring workflows.
• Instigate outreach to other vendors for employee enrichment programming.
• Provide support in event planning for employees and interns alike, and assist with maintaining the administration of the Whitney Museum's future internship programs.
• Lending a hand in Learning & Development initiatives.
• Redesign and propose new performance management frameworks and toolkits.
• Act at the frontline of the department, addressing questions from employees.
• Aid with ongoing digitization initiatives.
• A draft copy of internal staff memos.

Training & development

Provided Training

• HRIS administration and maintenance (PayPro).
• Familiarity in navigating and utilizing an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
• Basic data reports and visualization.

Outcomes

• The intern will exit their programming having accrued a basic understanding of their component of museum administration within the realms of payroll, benefits administration, and overseeing the employee life cycle.

Salary & benefits

Interns will be paid a stipend of $3000.

If you join as a full-time employee, you will get the following benefits:

• Health insurance coverage
• Generous paid time off
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Free admission to many museums in New York City and nationally

Career progression

Interns at the Whitney have the opportunity to explore various departments and roles related to exhibitions, programs, administration, and visitor services, gaining valuable skills and knowledge. As they demonstrate their abilities and interests, interns are encouraged to apply for full- or part-time positions that align with their career aspirations and experiences within the museum.

Work-life balance

Whitney's Academic Year Internship program mandates a commitment of 16–21 hours per week over 10–12 weeks, totalling 200 hours, ensuring interns gain valuable experience while accommodating academic schedules and personal commitments. 

Culture & vibe

The Whitney fosters a culture of inclusivity and diversity, valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of all individuals. With a commitment to equity and belonging, they cultivate an environment where every voice is heard, celebrated, and empowered to shape their collective mission of showcasing American art in its fullest and most representative context.

About you

Skills & Qualifications

• Have some knowledge and interest in modern and contemporary American art.
• Be people-focused, charismatic, and dedicate themselves to upholding the OPC’s values.
• Hold an interest in museum administration; previous museum experience is not required.
• Undergraduates and graduates currently enrolled in accredited academic year programs are eligible.
• Applicants must have completed a minimum of one year’s worth of academic coursework; undergraduate freshmen are not eligible.
• Must have proficient working knowledge of Microsoft 365 software (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

Source

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• whitney.org/about
• whitney.org/about/job-postings
• youtube.com/user/WhitneyFocus