Arts & Community Engagement Intern — Public Programs (In-Person)

The Phillips Collection; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

The Phillips Collection invites applications for a Public Programs Intern in Washington, DC. This in-person internship supports the Public Engagement Manager and participates in Afterschool Art Club, Open Recess, and Studio Saturday programs at Phillips@THEARC.

Interns gain hands-on experience in community engagement, arts programming, and museum operations, with 12–20 hours weekly over 10–15 weeks, January 25 to May 7, 2027, and potential academic credit as approved.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Support the Public Engagement Manager with the preparation and facilitation of programming at Phillips@THEARC, including Afterschool Art Club, Open Recess, and monthly Studio Saturday programs led by teaching artists.
• Participate in program preparation, planning meetings, and on-site program activities as needed.
• Support program logistics, including preparing materials, setting up and resetting program spaces, assisting with registration and participant flow, supporting teaching artists and staff, photographing programs, and participating in post-program debriefs.
• Support coordination with teaching artists, community partners, and visiting groups to help ensure programs are prepared and run smoothly.
• Assist with the maintenance and organization of program records and shared operational systems in coordination with the Community Engagement Assistant, including S-drive files, attendance and participation records, program documentation, and other tracking materials.
• Assist with additional Community Engagement initiatives, administrative tasks, and day-to-day program coordination as needed.

Skills

Travel ability

Weekend/evening availability

K-12 experience

Teaching art

Proactive attitude

Professional presence

Organizational skills

Time management

Independent and collaborative

Written/oral communication

MS Word/PowerPoint proficiency

Education

Undergraduate/Graduate student status

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The Phillips Collection invites applications for a Public Programs Intern in Washington, DC. This in-person internship supports the Public Engagement Manager and participates in Afterschool Art Club, Open Recess, and Studio Saturday programs at Phillips@THEARC.

Interns gain hands-on experience in community engagement, arts programming, and museum operations, with 12–20 hours weekly over 10–15 weeks, January 25 to May 7, 2027, and potential academic credit as approved.