Mexic-Arte Museum has served as a pipeline for the professional development of emerging Latinx artists and arts administrators, as well as given a spotlight to established artists. Our internship program aims to cultivate the next generation of museum professionals by offering hands-on experience and career-building opportunities.
Interns will gain valuable skills through projects in various departments, working under the mentorship of museum professionals. This program provides the chance to build professional networks, enhance creativity and critical thinking, and apply practical knowledge in a real-world setting.
We are looking for interns who are flexible, organized, self-motivated, and eager to collaborate in a professional environment. Ideal candidates will bring enthusiasm, creativity, and a passion for the arts, and will be encouraged to contribute their ideas to meaningful projects.
This program is made possible by the support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) initiative: Latino Museum Initiative Expansion Project, which is designed to provide opportunities for internships and fellowships at American Latino museums for students enrolled in Institutions of Higher Education, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
Program Information
Spring, summer, and fall internships run for ten weeks with a commitment of 10 hours per week during office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-6 pm and Friday 9 am-5 pm).
Pay rate: $22/h
Requirements
*Current Undergraduate student in the Austin, TX area.
Qualifications and requirements will vary based on the position. Please read the Google Application form thoroughly to see if you are qualified for your desired position.
Internship Program Cycle
| Summer Semester 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Program Dates | June 17th – August 28th |
| Application Open | May 15th, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | June 5th, 2026 |
Optional (but encouraged):
How to Apply
Apply by clicking which department you want to apply to and complete the corresponding Google Form.
The application requires:
- Resume
- Letter of interest
- Unofficial transcript
Optional (but encouraged):
- Academic or professional letters of recommendation
If you need an access accommodation or have a question regarding available accommodations, or if you need this application in an alternative format to successfully submit your candidacy, please contact the Internship Coordinator
Collections
Working collaboratively with the department’s Registrar, the Collections intern will assist in enhancing and increasing the accessibility of the Mexic-Arte’s Permanent Collection. The intern will gain hands-on experience in cataloging, data entry, researching, and packaging the Permanent Collection. Specifically, the Collections intern will work on standardizing existing records and digitizing new artworks and cultural materials, helping to make the collection accessible to the general public. They will gain experience in the accessioning process, preservation, and the Mexic-Arte’s collections management system, PastPerfect. In addition, the intern will assist in packaging objects in the Permanent Collection and creating an inventory of those objects
Curatorial
Through fostering diversity and embracing cross-cultural understanding, Mexic-Arte has created a space by and for Mexican Americans in central Texas
Interns will gain an international, national, and local perspective of traditional and contemporary Mexican and Latinx/a/o/e art through researching artists, helping with exhibition proposals, assisting with exhibition archives, writing for exhibition didactics, writing for various exhibitions and programs, and general departmental support. In Spring 2026, Mexic-Arte Museum will prepare for projects such two fall exhibitions, the Curatorial intern will assist with the preparation of these exhibits (research, exhibit text, exhibit layout, other).
Development
In Summer 2026, Mexic-Arte Museum will focus on three development projects: fundraising for the temporary relocation to the Austin History Center, scaling the membership program, and obtaining sponsorships for the Viva la Vida Festival & Parade. The development department is responsible for stewarding the funding sources for each of these projects. The development intern will support this stewardship at various points in the giving lifecycle: researching, soliciting, applying, documenting, processing, and thanking. The development intern’s impact on these projects will support the overall membership program and fundraising ecosystem.
Digital Media
The Digital Media intern will assist in organizing assets, strategizing updates the website, add past content and build new event pages, improve its accessibility, and create and utilize SEO/marketing trends and management practices.The main project for the Spring 26’ semester will be building out the new 5th St Mexican American Cultural District webpages. Other tasks include archiving past exhibitions and events and working with the Collections team to learn how to photograph, categorize, and archive high-quality images and put them into Mexic-Arte’s Past Perfect database and the Culture Connect platform.
Education
The Education Intern will assist with in-house educational programs, which include: assisting with summer camps, leading tours, hands-on activities during tours, preparing for and facilitating creative projects, family days, workshops, as well as exhibition/art history related planning/execution and activities. Will learn how to manage and connect with partnered schools and community groups to run art education programs efficiently. Other opportunities include: touring youth and adult groups through exhibitions, developing curriculum, assisting with education outreach, shadowing teaching artists or MAM staff, and helping with program evaluation.
Graphic Design
The Graphic Design intern will assist in designing signage, programs, photography, merchandise for the store, and invitations for the Museum’s educational programs, events, and more. Learning to implement graphic projects, and procedures at Mexic-Arte, interns will work under the Museum’s Visual Communicator to develop all designs and text-oriented content.
Preparator
Museum Preparator works closely with the Curatorial staff in the planning and installation of Exhibitions. Preparator is also responsible for logistics and production during special events, routine gallery maintenance, and assisting the Museum Registrar with collections management and preservation. Desired applicants should have an interest in both the technical (gallery prep, installation, lighting, etc.) as well as creative (visual design, logistics, etc.) aspects of exhibition preparation. During Summer 2026 the Preparator intern will be assisting the Museum Registrar with packaging artworks of the Permanent Collection and creating an inventory. In addition, they will assist with the technical aspects of planning for 2026 Fall exhibitions.
Special Events & Marketing
The Special Events & Marketing intern will assist in managing the Museum’s external communications and executing special events. This includes opportunities to help produce advertisements, press releases, newsletters, brochures, email marketing, and social media content. The intern will earn hands-on experience in coordinating the logistics of a large scale event as Mexic-Arte Museum begins planning for the 2026 Viva la Vida Festival & Parade.
Current
The Spring 2026 internship program at Mexic-Arte Museum comprised dedicated students from The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University, each contributing to various museum departments. Their collective efforts enriched the museum’s programming and operations, particularly through hands-on contributions to exhibits like En lo mas negro del verano and cultural events such as Viva la Vida and Mexic-Arte’s various Hispanic Heritage Month events. From curatorial research and educational content creation to event planning and development support, the cohort gained valuable professional experience while advancing the museum’s mission to engage the public with Latino/x/e art and culture. Their behind-the-scenes work helped ensure the success of key initiatives and fostered deeper community connections.
Past
The Fall 2025 internship program at Mexic-Arte Museum comprised dedicated students from The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University, each contributing to various museum departments. Their collective efforts enriched the museum’s programming and operations, particularly through hands-on contributions to exhibits like En lo mas negro del verano and cultural events such as Viva la Vida and Mexic-Arte’s various Hispanic Heritage Month events. From curatorial research and educational content creation to event planning and development support, the cohort gained valuable professional experience while advancing the museum’s mission to engage the public with Latino/x/e art and culture. Their behind-the-scenes work helped ensure the success of key initiatives and fostered deeper community connections.
The Spring 2025 internship program at Mexic-Arte Museum comprised dedicated students from The University of Texas at Austin and St. Edward’s University, each contributing to various museum departments. Their collective efforts enriched the museum’s programming and operations, particularly through hands-on contributions to exhibits like Beyond the Shape: El Arte de Chente Rodriguez and cultural events such as La Fete de 5 de Mayo and Mexic-Arte’s 3rd Annual 5 de Mayo Luncheon. From curatorial research and educational content creation to event planning, graphic design and development support, the cohort gained valuable professional experience while advancing the museum’s mission to engage the public with Latino/x/e art and culture. Their behind-the-scenes work helped ensure the success of key initiatives and fostered deeper community connections.
The Fall 2024 internship program at Mexic-Arte Museum comprised dedicated students from Texas State University and the University of Texas at Austin, each contributing to various museum departments. Their collective efforts enriched the museum’s programming and operations, particularly through hands-on contributions to outdoor exhibitions like Las Calaveras at Republic Square: Celebrating Our Shared History and major cultural events such as the Viva la Vida Parade and Festival. From curatorial research and educational content creation to event planning, graphic design and development support, the cohort gained valuable professional experience while advancing the museum’s mission to engage the public with Latino/x/e art and culture. Their behind-the-scenes work helped ensure the success of key fall initiatives and fostered deeper community connections.
The Summer 2024 internship program at Mexic-Arte Museum brought together five University of Texas at Austin, one Texas State University, and one Emory University student interns who made meaningful contributions to projects like creating an interactive map of the Mexican American Culture Corridor, supported Mexic-Arte’s efforts on the Cultural Heritage District designation of the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor — which highlights the cultural organizations and business along 5th St.— assisting the Nuestro Estilo summer camp at Austin Public Library, as well as developing press releases and marketing for a banner reveal event. Their work spanned digital media, education, curatorial planning, and community engagement, reflecting the museum’s mission to foster cultural heritage and creativity.
The Spring 2024 internship program marked the inaugural group of interns in the Latino Museum Internship Expansion Project at Mexic-Arte Museum, where eight talented students, eight from the University of Texas at Austin and one student from the University of London collaborated across departments such as Curatorial, Education, Preprator, Graphic Design, Development and Digital Media, contributing to exhibitions like Mix ‘n’ Mash and Creating Encuentros: Changarrito 2012–2024. Their work included assisting with exhibition design, developing educational materials, and supporting digital content creation, providing them with valuable professional experience in the museum field. The program aimed to advance careers in studying American Latino/x/e life, art, history, and culture, fostering the next generation of museum professionals.