Internships

Bartels Art Museum Scholar Summer Internships

Through the generosity of Nancy Horton Bartels and her late husband, Henry E. Bartels, the Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) offers summer internships to Yale undergraduates and to undergraduates from New Haven County now attending a historically Black college or university (HBCU). Projects are intended to introduce students to museum operations and best practices in administrative, conservation, curatorial, education, and research departments. The internships are named in honor of former YCBA directors. Internships run for eight weeks from June 16 to August 8, 2025. The stipend for Bartels Summer Internships is $5,000. This program provides opportunities for both Yale students and students from New Haven to become familiar with the various career opportunities at one of the museums in New Haven. This program aligns with Yale’s commitment to create a stronger and more inclusive community through partnerships with HBCUs. 

About the YCBA

The Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) is the largest and most comprehensive collection of British art outside the United Kingdom. The YCBA's collections of paintings, sculpture, and works on paper (which include archives, drawings, manuscripts, photographs, prints, and rare books) present the story of British art and culture, and its global contexts, from the fifteenth century to today. An extensive reference library is available to the staff and public to support research on British art, the collections, and their histories. The YCBA's exhibition of the permanent collection provides an overview of British art, culture, and history over six centuries. It is the subject of research by graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral associates, and visiting scholars. Special exhibitions also take place on a rotating basis.

The Bartels Art Museum Scholar Summer Intern will work directly with staff in the department hosting their internship. Projects are designed to give the intern a full view of museum careers and opportunities while providing transferable skills such as administration, public programming, research, and visitor engagement.

Eligibility

Any current HBCU undergraduate who graduated from high school in New Haven County and has finished their first year is eligible to apply. Any current Yale undergraduate who has finished their first year is eligible to apply. Applicants do not need to be art history majors. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background and credit check.

To be considered, HBCU undergraduates must have lived in and graduated from a high school in one of the following towns or cities: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Naugatuck, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Northford, Orange, Oxford, Prospect, Seymour, Southbury, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Wolcott, or Woodbridge.

Required Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills. Proficiency in MS Office programs, particularly Word and Excel, is preferred.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality in handling museum information.

Bartels Art Museum Scholar Academic-Year Internships

Through the generosity of Nancy Horton Bartels and her late husband, Henry E. Bartels, the YCBA offers academic-year internships to Yale undergraduates. These internships are intended to introduce students to museum operations and best practices. Interns are paid $17.50 per hour and work up to ten hours a week. 

About the YCBA

The Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) is the largest and most comprehensive collection of British art outside the United Kingdom. The YCBA's collections of paintings, sculpture, and works on paper (which include archives, drawings, manuscripts, photographs, prints, and rare books) present the story of British art and culture, and its global contexts, from the fifteenth century to today. An extensive reference library is available to the staff and public to support research on British art, the collections, and their histories. The YCBA's exhibition of the permanent collection provides an overview of British art, culture, and history over six centuries. It is the subject of research by graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral associates, and visiting scholars. Special exhibitions also take place on a rotating basis.

Eligibility

All current Yale undergraduates are eligible to apply. Graduating seniors are not eligible for academic year internships after graduation. Academic-year interns must be available to work ten hours a week. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background and credit check.

Required Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills. Proficiency in MS Office programs, particularly Word and Excel, is preferred.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality in handling museum information.

For more information, contact James Vanderberg, Educator, High School, College, University, and Community Outreach: ycba.internships@yale.edu.