Internship & Fellowship Programs

The MFAH internship and fellowship program provides specialized training and career readiness for undergraduate and graduate students, fostering the next generation of museum professionals and active community partners. Interns and fellows gain firsthand experience working on one or more meaningful projects under the guidance of staff mentors. Interns and fellows also have the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of diverse museum careers through regular professional-development presentations and outings.

 

Summer Academy: Connect with Art and Museum Professionals

Are you curious about art and culture? Would you like to develop your ability to look closely, think critically, and connect deeply with works of art? Have you ever wondered how art museums work—how collections are formed, how exhibitions are created, how artworks are cared for, and how museums engage with their communities? What might it be like to work at a museum—and how could that experience connect to your own learning and goals? If these questions spark your curiosity, we invite you to apply for the MFAH Summer Academy—a free, three-day experience at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Students will go behind the scenes at the museum, engage in thoughtful conversations, and explore the connections between art, identity, education, and careers. All participants will receive a $350 stipend, and lunch will be provided each day.

Shared Goals for All Participants

  • Develop Visual Literacy Skills: cultivate the ability to closely observe, describe, and interpret works of art using visual evidence.
  • Explore Object-Based Learning (OBL): introduce and practice OBL strategies, highlighting how artworks can spark inquiry, reflection, and interdisciplinary connections.
  • Foster Meaningful Dialogue: encourage curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking through facilitated group conversations about art and museum experiences.
  • Understand the Role of Museum Education: provide insight into how museums engage diverse publics through educational programs.
  • Build Personal Connections to the Collection: create opportunities for students to connect their own experiences, identities, and questions with works of art in the MFAH collection.
  • Understand Museum Careers & Practices: gain exposure to museum roles—educators, curators, conservators, registrars—and how collaboration shapes visitor experiences.
  • Apply Theoretical Frameworks: explore how museum education intersects with disciplines like education, history, sociology, and art history.

University Students: Connect with Art and Museum Professionals

Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students at colleges/universities in the Houston area
Program Dates: July 9–11, 2025 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

How to Apply
The deadline to apply is Friday, June 27, 2025.
Complete the application form in its entirety to be considered.

Required documents:

  • Résumé
  • Academic letter of reference from a teacher or professor

Title all documents with your first and last name:
Example: Amy Adams_Resume, Amy Adams_Letter of Interest, Amy Adams_Reference Letter

Email the required documents to: nac@mfah.org

 

Summer Internship & Fellowship Opportunities

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) offers a range of summer internship and fellowship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Detailed job descriptions and application instructions can be found on the Museum’s Opportunities for Internships and Fellowships page.

All summer internships and fellowships span 10 weeks, running from early June to late August. Hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break. Unless specified otherwise in the job description, these opportunities are expected to be conducted in-person.

 

Summer Internship & Fellowships FAQs

Do I need to be a full-time student to apply?
No, we accept both part-time and full-time students.

Are housing and commuting accommodations provided?
Housing assistance and accommodations are not offered. Resources to assist with commuting, such as metro cards, are offered through the Human Resources department.

Are accessibility accommodations provided?
Yes, please inform us and we can arrange any necessary accommodations.

Can I apply if I’ve recently graduated college?
After graduating, you have the opportunity to apply for an internship or fellowship as long as it has been within a year since your graduation. We welcome recent graduates to explore and pursue these opportunities to further enhance their skills and contribute to our organization.

Can I re-apply if I’ve previously worked as an intern or a fellow at the MFAH?
Yes, if you meet the requirements for the position listed in the job description, you’re welcome and encouraged to apply.

What should I expect after submitting my application?
Thank you for your interest in our internship opportunities. Once applications are successfully submitted, they are promptly reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate supervisor for consideration. While our internship positions are highly competitive, we carefully consider all qualifying candidates. Applicants selected for an interview will receive additional communication regarding the status of their application. Please note that we do not send out rejection letters to candidates who are not being considered.

Questions? interns@mfah.org

 

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all applicants whose experience and interest has prepared them to consider this opportunity and support our organizational commitment to workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence. Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for selections and decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in opportunities with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the application process or 2) the interview process; 3) perform essential functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of an opportunity with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org

 

Other Opportunities

In addition to internships and fellowships, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers numerous volunteer opportunities. Learn more about volunteering.

 

The Summer Internship Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, receives generous funding from the the Lubrizol Foundation and gifts in honor of Beth Schneider

All Learning and Interpretation programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, receive endowment funds provided by Louise Jarrett Moran Bequest; Caroline Wiess Law; Windgate Foundation; the William Randolph Hearst Foundation; Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Fondren Foundation; BMC Software, Inc.; the Wallace Foundation; the Neal Myers and Ken Black Children’s Art Fund; Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Ballard; Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Tate; the Eleanor and Frank Freed Foundation; Virginia and Ira Jackson; the Favrot Fund; CFP Foundation; Neiman Marcus Youth Arts Education; gifts in memory of John Wynne; and gifts in honor of Beth Schneider.

Guided Tours Colleges Universities Internship & Fellowship Programs Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Program Information for Visiting Students Information for Instructors