Internships & Assistantships

Duke University undergraduate and graduate students can gain important work experience at the Nasher Museum in many ways. Please browse through the different ways to be a part of the museum and fill out the application or email the contact listed at the links below to begin the process.

• Internships for Academic Credit
• Graduate Assistantships

This internship program is a special opportunity for Duke juniors and seniors who study art, art history or related disciplines—and also speak Italian. Students will gain first-hand experience while immersing themselves in an amazing collection of modern art at this unique museum, housed in an 18th-century palace on the Grand Canal. Activities include managing the galleries during public open hours, assisting visitors, staffing the ticket office, cloakroom and other visitor facilities, supporting the museum staff in various departments and participating in the educational activities of the museum, including presentations to the public, guided tours and workshops with children. The program includes educational activities such as seminars, conferences, educational trips and guided tours for interns.

To apply for the Nasher-Duke-sponsored two-month summer internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy students must meet the following criteria:

• be a Duke junior/senior by Spring 2022
• be studying art, art history or related area
• be fluent in English and spoken Italian

Application and supporting materials must be sent to Ellen C. Raimond, Ph.D., Assistant Curator of Academic Initiatives, at ellen.raimond@duke.edu by 5 PM on Friday, January 14, 2022. 

For consideration, please submit:

• Cover letter explaining interest and reasons for participating in the internship program at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
• CV including internships and work experiences, a list of relevant academic courses, and language skills.
• University transcripts to date.
• Two letters of reference (academic and/or professional reference).
• DO NOT submit your application to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Find out more information on The Internship Program at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Buona fortuna!

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND RESULTING GLOBAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS THE INTERNSHIP MAY BE CANCELLED AND/OR MODIFIED AT DUKE UNIVERSITY’S DISCRETION AT ANY TIME.

Love art? Enjoy conversations about culture and society? The Nasher Museum welcomes undergraduate students from all majors to apply. Student guides learn how to give guided tours of the museum’s exhibitions. They work with K-12 school groups, adult visitors, people with dementia and Duke class visits. Arts major not required.

Learn more and complete the online application. Applications are due by Friday, December 10.

The Nasher Museum is hiring a Graduate Teaching Assistant to provide support for the Academic Initiatives department. The Teaching Assistant’s primary responsibility is organizing and leading tours for university classes visiting temporary exhibitions, the permanent collection, and study storage at the Nasher Museum. Applicants should be graduate students, currently enrolled at Duke, with experience teaching undergraduates. Museum experience or experience working with art objects is preferable.

To apply, please email a CV, cover letter with your interest in the position, experience teaching, and/or working in museums, and the names of two references to Julia McHugh, Ph.D., Trent A. Carmichael Curator of Academic Initiatives, at julia.mchugh@duke.edu.

Complete details (pdf)