The Art Services and Preparation (ASAP) department is responsible for all aspects of exhibition planning and installation. Its work includes preparatory drawings of exhibitions that detail construction, layout, and material specifications as well as assistance with transportation, installation, and final exhibition inspection. ASAP also locates and retrieves artworks for other museum departments, in addition to performing its own periodic inventories.
The Conservation department is responsible for the treatment, safety, and maintenance of the museum’s vast collection of artworks, ranging from Impressionist paintings to Minimalist sculptures. A background in art conservation is not required for this internship.
Curators are responsible for the collection, exhibition, and interpretation of artworks. Drawing upon art-historical expertise, the curators decide what artworks to acquire for the museum’s permanent collection and work with the conservators and registrars to oversee their proper care and maintenance. They research or oversee research of these artworks, maintain detailed records on them, and interpret them for the public through exhibitions and publications. As exhibition organizers of both artworks in the permanent collection and works on loan from other institutions or private collections, the curators have wide-ranging responsibilities: they conceive of the theme of an exhibition, select the artworks, secure loans as needed, determine the placement and presentation of the artworks, prepare wall texts and other didactics, and work with Education to develop public programs such as lectures and symposia. Curators also work with the Publishing and Digital Media department to produce collection and exhibition catalogues, and with the Interactive department to produce website content. Finally, curators cultivate and maintain relationships with artists, galleries, and colleagues at other institutions, as well as trustees, acquisition-committee members, and other donors and supporters of the museum.
The curatorial program dedicated to Architecture and Digital Initiatives, established in 2014, is the first of its kind in the world. Curators within this program have organized Guggenheim Helsinki Now (2015), Åzone Futures Market (2015) and Architecture Effects (2018) and are currently developing the forthcoming exhibition Countryside: Future of the World with Rem Koolhaas/AMO (2019). The curatorial team led by Troy Conrad Therrien, Curator of Architecture and Digital Initiatives, works to define and activate the Guggenheim’s engagement with architecture and technology. The strategy requires looking beyond traditional exhibition programming to more discursive models such as think tanks, public forums, online content development and the establishment of rich networks for intellectual exchange.
In 2006, the Guggenheim Museum became the first modern and contemporary art museum in the West to establish a curatorial program dedicated to Asian art. Since then, the Asian Art curatorial team lead by Samsung Senior Curator of Asian Art, Alexandra Munroe, has organized Cai Guo-Qiang: I Want to Believe; Anish Kapoor: Memory; The Third Mind: American Artists Contemplate Asia, 1860–1989; Being Singular Plural: Moving Images from India; Lee Ufan: Marking Infinity; and Gutai: Splendid Playground. Curators working within this program are responsible for the intellectual and strategic development of the Guggenheim’s exhibitions, collections, and educational initiatives dedicated to modern and contemporary art from across Asia, as well as Asian-born artists working outside the region.
The Development department is responsible for raising a significant part of the museum’s budget through contributions, memberships, grants, and sponsorships. The department has several branches: Corporate, Institutional, Major Gifts, Membership, Operations, Special Events, Young Collectors Council, and Patrons Circle.
Corporate Development builds relationships with various corporations through sponsorships and memberships. This team works closely with corporations to develop innovative local and global collaborations, and offer customized opportunities for partners to advance their business objectives while providing employees and clients with exclusive access to the Guggenheim experience.
The Institutional Development team raises funds from foundation and government sources to support area of activity including general operations, exhibitions, education and public programs, conservation, capital projects, and the library and archives. Focus is placed on written proposals and reports, so strong writing skills are imperative.
Major Gifts interns will assist with cultivating high-level donors within specific Affinity Groups and Committees (Photography Council, International Director’s Council, Collections Council, Education Committee, and Friends of Conservation), as well as through exhibition funding and special projects. Interns will help to research prospective donors, assist in planning and facilitating events, draft letters and proposals, maintain donor records, and communicate with and steward donors.
The Membership intern will communicate with and steward donors, facilitate research projects, and assist in planning and executing events, including Art After Dark, Exhibition Openings, and Member Private Views. Additionally, the Membership intern will assist with processing and handling contributions from the museum’s largest donor base. Applicants should have strong communication and organizational skills, as well as a passion for customer service and events.
The Development Operations team supports the work of the entire Development department through its database and filing system, research projects, list and mailing management, event administrative support, financial processing, donor stewardship and recognition, and statistical and analytical reporting. Candidates with a financial, research, or administrative background or interest might consider an internship with this branch of Development.
The Special Events team is responsible for the planning, coordination, and administration of various fundraising and rentalevents at the museum and offsite, including receptions, parties, galas, and exhibition openings.
A branch of Individual Development stewards the Young Collectors Council (YCC) and Patrons Circle. The YCC and Patrons Circle intern will communicate directly with our members over the phone, through e-mail, and in person at events. Interns will be tasked with research projects to help identify and cultivate new members. Interns will also help prepare materials for mailings and related events. Additionally, the interns will help with the planning and execution of special membership events, including curator-led tours, artist studio visits, and gallery walks.
The Directors’ Office has a dual function: the Museum Director’s Office is responsible for the overall direction and administration of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, establishment of goals, and the planning and development of policies for the museum; the Foundation Director’s Office manages the museum within the scope of the Guggenheim Foundation, including its relationship with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project.
The Education department offers placements in the development, implementation, and administration of programs for a range of museum audiences including adults, schools, families, children, and general gallery visitors, as well as across a variety of learning interests including art, history, literature, art/museum education, film, and new media. Program areas include Learning Through Art; School, Youth, & Family Programs; Public Programs; Public Engagement; and Internships.
The Public Programs staff is responsible for the design, management, implementation and evaluation of a wide variety of learning experiences for adults including scholarly lectures/panels, artist talks, thematic symposia, private tours, literature readings, film screenings, workshops, and site specific performances. The programs are often closely tied to the changing exhibition schedule, the permanent collection, and the Frank Lloyd Wright building and seek to draw a diverse audience of general museum visitors, students/scholars, artists and art world professionals.
The Exhibition Design department designs and oversees the installation of exhibitions in all Guggenheim museums and outside venues for traveling exhibitions. The department is a repository for architectural information: museum drawings and models, and a library of maquettes of the collection. The department works with curators to determine the layout of exhibitions and designs aspects necessary for the installation of artwork. Interns in this department usually come from an architecture background and must be fluent in 3D-imaging software such as CAD or Vectorworks. Please note: when applying, candidates should submit a design portfolio or small visual sample of work.
The Exhibition Management and Collections department oversees the planning and effective execution of exhibitions as well as exhibitions that travel to non-Guggenheim sites.
The Finance department is responsible for the planning, control, and administration of the financial operations of the museum.
Global Communications guides the branding, marketing, and communications strategy for the Guggenheim Foundation including Special Projects and SRGM, and supports the efforts of the network museums. The department leads efforts to cohesively position, convey and protect the Guggenheim’s strong international image and reputation to a diverse range of constituencies including: the media, Trustees, staff, members, visitors, and prospective visitors worldwide.
Graphic design is an integral part of the image of the museum. The Graphic Design department is responsible for the design and installation of the museum’s building and exhibition signage, as well as the design and production of various printed materials, including exhibition-related ephemera (e.g., invitations, educational guides, and direct mail), informational brochures, and publications for all museum departments. Please note: when applying candidates should submit a sample of their design portfolio.
The Interactive department oversees Guggenheim.org and the Guggenheim app. Interns in this department are exposed to and may assist with website and app management including content production, editing, quality assurance (QA), design, competitive analysis, research, and reporting. Interns may also assist with special projects and exhibition-related initiatives. Ideal candidates will have coursework in user experience design, user research, and/or website/app development; as well as art history, English, or related fields. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, basic HTML/CSS, and Microsoft Office Suite is required. Some familiarity with data management and visualization tools such as Google Analytics is recommended.
The library consists of published resources focused on modern and contemporary art, architecture, and photography, with an emphasis on the museum’s international collections and exhibitions, and serves the research needs of museum staff. The archives contains primary-source documentation that reflects the museum’s history, exhibitions, and collections, and is open to museum staff and qualified researchers. Library and Archives staff are responsible for the maintenance and management of the archives and library holdings. Ideal candidates will be in pursuit of, or hold a Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences. Candidates who have taken coursework in cataloging, rare books, library services, archival management, and/or digital preservation are also encouraged to apply.
The Marketing department is responsible for reinforcing the Guggenheim brand identity and promoting public awareness of the museum, its exhibitions, and its programs. Core department efforts include advertising, social media, e-mail marketing, and outreach. Working collaboratively, the Marketing department also provides in-house marketing expertise to Development, Education, Curatorial, Visitor Experience, Retail, and special projects across the organization.
The Media and Public Relations department is responsible for the transmission of information to both the press and the public. Intern responsibilities include creating press materials, communicating with the media, maintaining press files, and assisting during media previews and other public-relations events. The Press Office also maintains a press archive and circulates relevant clips internally.
The Photography department is responsible for photography of all art objects in the Guggenheim’s collections. The museum’s photographers also create architectural views of the Frank Lloyd Wright building, photograph installation views of all exhibitions shown at the Guggenheim, New York and take on a variety of special projects, often related to the Guggenheim’s exhibition program. All current photography is created digitally and the department also manages a substantial archive of historic Guggenheim images on film. Interns in this department will need to be fluent in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom image handling software. Candidates with experience in photography archiving and digital asset management will also be considered.
The Guggenheim is unique among American museums for its ability to simultaneously publish books and catalogues in several languages. The Publishing and Digital Media department designs and edits exhibition catalogues and collection books of the highest quality and scholarship, and working with international distributors, it ensures their availability in bookstores on every continent.
The Registrar department is responsible for the maintenance of records relating to the collections of the museum, and oversees the movement, packing, transportation, and storage of objects in the museum’s collections. The Registrar department communicates with all exhibition lenders and oversees all loan agreements, developing and implementing policies and procedures pertaining to the acquisition, management, and disposition of collections. The Registrar department also handles arrangements for accessions, loans, shipping, customs, and insurance.
The Retail Business and E-Commerce department is responsible for operating on-site retail stores as well as an online presence. Candidates with interest or experience in design, architecture, merchandizing, product development, and marketing in addition to candidates with coursework in business or arts administration are all encouraged to apply. Knowledge of Excel, Photoshop, InDesign, and/or Google Analytics is preferable.