YCBA internships are dynamic, cohort-based learning experiences that allow students to have a first-hand look at the professional life of a museum. The program includes Yale undergraduates, as well as undergraduates from around the country through New Haven Promise. New Haven Promise is a hiring initiative through Yale University for undergraduates who attended New Haven Public Schools. Interns work closely with staff across departments while participating in shared programming that emphasizes mentorship, personal growth, and cross-departmental learning. Our program aims to connect the student’s individual academic study to museum practice and foster a sense of belonging within the Yale Scholarly Collections.
“I’m here to get a little taste of everything. One of the best aspects of this program is that we get to experience a variety of aspects of the museum profession.”
–Kemper Rodi, 2025 Bartels Summer Intern, Paintings and Sculpture
Internship Opportunities
Bartels Art Museum Summer Internships
Funded through the generosity of Nancy Horton Bartels and her late husband, Henry E. Bartels, Bartels Summer Internships are open to Yale undergraduates who have completed their first year. Interns participate in a full-time, eight-week, cohort-based program that combines departmental work with shared learning experiences across the YCBA and the Yale campus. Working in a museum goes beyond art-historical knowledge. Projects can vary widely and reflect the breadth of skills needed at the YCBA. Past projects have included curatorial research, imaging, documentation and digitization of collection objects, hands-on conservation support, exhibition preparation and project management, interpretive writing, database management and IT support, and library and archival research. Intern projects are designed to offer hands-on learning and professional development that will add value to a multitude of career pursuits.
“I haven’t had any genuine curatorial experience in a museum before, so this is my first glance at that, and it’s been very rewarding.”
–Jiayang Jin, 2025 Bartels Summer Intern, Prints and Drawings
2026 Program details:
Dates: June 8 – July 31, 2026
Schedule: 35 hours per week, 9 am – 5 pm
Rate of Pay: One-time stipend of $5,040
Staff holidays: June 19 and July 3
Deadline to apply is February 13, 2026
Bartels Academic Year Internships
Bartels Academic Year Internships offer Yale undergraduates part-time opportunities to engage with museum work during the academic year. Our collection stewards and explores a complex global history of British art. Our interns have an opportunity to apply their skills and academic pursuits within the context of the YCBA mission. Interns work closely with departmental supervisors on ongoing projects and gain insight into museum operations over the academic year. These internships are designed for longer-term projects that will complement the individual academic path of the student.
Program details:
Dates: September 8, 2026–April 24, 2027
Schedule: Up to 10 hours per week
Rate of Pay: $18.00 per hour
Application call will be announced in April 2026. Check back soon!
New Haven Promise Summer Scholar Internships
New Haven Promise Summer Scholar interns at the YCBA are part of a dynamic, cohort-based learning experience that connects students across the museum and to other cultural institutions on campus. As part of an immersive summer experience, students will gain real-world experience through goal-oriented projects, and network building through sustained mentorship with staff. They also participate in the Intern Enrichment Series with Promise interns and Yale undergraduate interns at the Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven Promise interns are an integral part of the YCBA, and we are committed to fostering long-term mentoring relationships that support their growth during the summer and beyond.
“This internship has demonstrated to me how computer science is relevant to the museum profession. It connects my interest in computer science to the real world in a really compelling way.”
–George Cole, 2025 New Haven Promise Summer Scholar, Collections and Information Access
Program Details:
Dates: June 8 – July 31, 2026
Schedule: 35 hours per week, 9 am – 5 pm
Rate of Pay: $18.00 per hour
Staff holidays: June 19 and July 3
Deadline to Apply: February 6, 2026
Eligibility and Applying to YCBA Internships
Applicants do not need to be art history majors! We encourage students from all academic backgrounds to consider how their skills can connect to the varied needs of the museum. From community engagement to information technology and project management, museums offer a gateway to professional careers in all fields.
Any current Yale undergraduate who has finished their first year is eligible to apply for either a Bartels Academic Year or a Bartels Summer Internship.
New Haven Promise Scholars are eligible to apply for New Haven Promise Summer Internships. Students must be in good standing with their school or program of study and be approved by New Haven Promise.
To apply, please compile an application package which includes:
- A cover letter expressing
- Your interest in the role
- How your skills and experiences have prepared you for it (this could include examples from jobs, internships, volunteer work, or community service)
- How this placement will help you achieve your future career or academic goals
- A resume
- Include contact information for one academic or professional reference who could serve as a recommender if you are a finalist for the position
Application packages should be sent as a single PDF file to YCBA.Education@yale.edu, or apply directly at Student Employment:
- Summer 2026 YCBA Bartels Intern: Prints & Drawings
- Summer 2026 YCBA Bartels Intern: Public Engagement
Questions about the YCBA Summer Internship program can be sent to YCBA.Education@yale.edu