Opportunities
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Museum Internship Program
Fall 2026 to Spring 2027
Application Deadline: Monday, May 18, 2026, 11:59pm
Job Description: Undergraduate intern (part time/non-paid/course credit)
Position Overview/Goals: Become an Art, Design & Architecture Museum intern. Help sustain the artistic vibrancy of our campus community while exploring a career in art history, museum studies, digital humanities, and/or cultural work. Interns contribute to the museum’s internal operations—including collections, archives, exhibitions, and communications—while also supporting its broader public engagement.
Background: In 2012, the AD&A Museum initiated a dynamic undergraduate internship program in order to fulfill its goal of engaging with members of our campus community and the greater Santa Barbara area. The Museum has since partnered with various institutions promoting access to education, arts, and culture in Santa Barbara (including local artist studios and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art), providing interns with a wide range of learning opportunities that contribute to their academic and professional development.
Interns may work across the Museum’s departments—Curatorial, Registration and Collections Management, Communications, and the Architecture and Design Collection—as well as with partner institutions such as UCSB Library Special Collections. Interns also engage emerging digital practices through collaboration with the Material / Image Research Lab (MIRL).
Requirements: Enrollment in the AD&A Museum Internship Seminar (Fall/Winter/Spring ARTHI 192A/B) is required. This year-long course lays the theoretical and practical foundation for museum work through assignments, guest lectures, field trips, and outreach initiatives.
Interns must:
• Attend weekly classes and complete seminar assignments
• Meet weekly with their supervisor
• Conduct internship activities as assigned
• Participate in museum events when requested
• Commit to the full academic year
This position requires someone who is personable, collaborative, well-organized, accountable, and enthusiastic. Priority will be given to applicants with an interest in the visual arts, cultural research, museum work, or digital practices. All majors are welcome to apply.
Responsibilities:
• Meet weekly with your supervisor
• Conduct internship activities as assigned by supervisor
• Attend weekly seminar (ARTHI 192 A/B) and complete relevant assignments
• Participate in Museum events upon request
Internship Benefits:
• Professional training and experience working in museum settings
• Involvement in the visual arts and community outreach
• Development of research, writing, communication, and networking skills
• Academic credit towards your degree
Application Requirements:
• Completed application form
• Cover letter
• Resume
• 1 letter of recommendation from a current or former supervisor
• Interview upon request
For questions about the program and to submit your application, please contact the AD&A Internship Coordinator, Nathan Segura at nathansegura@ucsb.edu, with the subject line “AD&A Museum Internship Application.”
*If submitting as separate documents, please include lastname_firstname in each file name*
Internship Hours and Units: 3 units minimum per quarter (2 units from the seminar + 1 unit from the internship) with a range of 3-12 hours of internship work per week (1 unit = 3 hours per week).
Duration: Interns must commit to the program for the full academic year.