Conservation Internships for Graduate Students
About the Internship
This 11-month internship is an integral part of the training for students enrolled in advanced conservation programs. During the internship, graduate interns work alongside and learn from conservators under whose supervision they carry out in-depth treatment on a broad range of objects reflective of the expansive nature of the Museum’s collections. While the focus is on treatment, some analytical investigation may be carried out when relevant.
In addition to practical training, interns are immersed in The Met's community of interns through weekly intern programs. These sessions include discussions, talks in the galleries and presentations by staff from various departments.
Open to:
- Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a recognized graduate-level conservation training program within the United States that stipulates an internship as part of the degree requirements (exceptions may be considered for those in a program without a required internship year). Applicants must have completed at least three semesters of their training program.
- Ability to speak and write in English is essential.
International Applicants: Accepted interns are responsible for ensuring that they have valid legal status under applicable U.S. visa regulations while participating in the Museum’s program. International students should know that, although the Museum will act as your host institution, The Met does not sponsor visas for interns. If you require a visa, you may be eligible to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 visa program) by going through an outside agency that has been authorized by the State Department to sponsor a J-1 trainee visa. These sponsors are responsible for supporting and monitoring foreign nationals during their exchange programs in the United States. We recommend that you consult with the U.S. embassy in your home country to determine which visa will allow you participate in this internship. Please be aware that obtaining a visa is usually a lengthy process and can cost upwards of $1,500 USD; it must be completed well in advance of the internship start date.
- $26 per hour
- All graduate conservation interns will be eligible for benefits as employees of the Museum including medical, vision, and dental insurance; pre-tax commuter benefits;, and others as outlined in the current non-union staff benefits guide.
Application period: November 10, 2025–January 9, 2026
Interviews period: Late January/Early February 2026
Notification deadline: Late February 2026
Internship period: September 18, 2026–August 13, 2027
- Complete the form. It will ask you to provide personal and academic information, write a short essay and upload a PDF copy of your curriculum vitae (CV).
- Curriculum Vitae: Upload your current CV as a PDF, saved as “LASTNAME_CV.pdf”
- Letters of Recommendation: Two confidential letters of recommendation must be submitted in addition to your application. These letters must come directly from your recommenders; they may not be sent by you. At least one letter should be from someone outside your academic program.
If you have any questions, please contact collegeprograms@metmuseum.org. Please note that we are unable to provide status updates or amend application materials following the deadline. Please do not contact individual Met staff to inquire about internships.
What to Expect After Applying
First, we gather substantial educational projects from supervisors across many Museum departments. We categorize the projects based on their learning outcomes, goals, and department areas. We read the applications and match applicants with projects in their areas of interest. If there is no project available in the department or area you select on your application, we consider your application for all related projects. We select students who above all are enthusiastic and eager to learn. We look for students who demonstrate passion for and commitment to their interests and goals and for whom an internship will be an impactful learning experience.
Once the application deadline passes, the first round of review begins. An Internship Review Committee comprised of staff from across the Museum will consider your application for the two Museum areas you’ve selected. Reviewers evaluate applications using the rubric discussed below and recommend the strongest applicants proceed to a second round of review by the internship supervisors. During this round of review, supervisors evaluate applications using the same rubric, and then select at least four applicants as finalists. These applicants will move to the interview stage. Supervisors will conduct virtual interviews and then recommend one candidate for the internship. Final candidates are sent to the Director’s Office for approval.
Selection Criteria
Please see the Application Evaluation Rubric (PDF) for a detailed description of how your application will be evaluated, as well as an explanation of the selection criteria below.
It’s important to explain what you want to learn from an internship at The Met in your essays. Researching the variety of jobs available in an art museum—and the skills needed to do those jobs—will help you shape and articulate your goals. Once reviewers understand what you’d like to get out of the internship, they can evaluate whether The Met’s program and internship projects can help you meet your goals for learning.
Reviewers look at your past jobs, internships, volunteer work, academic courses, and your personal journeys and consider how this internship could help you grow and/or constitute a turning point in your studies or career. Your application will be stronger if you’re able to demonstrate how the internship could have a strong impact on your growth in one or more areas. This potential impact could be evident in your essays and supported by the experiences on your résumé. For summer applicants, this potential can also be supported by your letters of recommendation about your potential for personal, academic, and professional growth.
Reviewers evaluate the level of personal and academic responsibility your application demonstrates. We’re not only considering your grades, but also whether you’ve been consistent and followed through with your commitments to your chosen activities, jobs, or volunteer work. Reviewers want interns who will show up for themselves and their peers and are ready to learn and take advantage of everything this internship experience can offer. We’re looking across all your materials to find a picture of how ready you are to learn and commit to this internship; a few low grades will not knock you out of consideration. For summer applicants, letters of recommendation are also helpful.
Reviewers look at your past exposure to the arts and art museums, and whether you’ve had any experiences like our internship program. If you’ve already had several museum internships, especially at large museums like The Met, reviewers want to know how The Met’s program can offer something new, and how you’d continue to grow from this experience. Students who have had very little or no prior experiences in the arts due to systemic barriers or unequal access to art and culture will be rated higher in this are
Life as a Met Intern
Seminar Series
Weekly seminars give interns an understanding of the wide range of work that occur at The Met, and how Museum professionals collaborate to plan and support the daily operations of one of the world's largest museums.
Public Engagement
Full-time interns complete a two-week MuSe training on museum teaching and public speaking, then design tours or programs that reflect their interests—offering visitors relevant, engaging, and accessible insights into art and The Met from an insider's perspective.
Helpful Links for Internship Applicants
