Internships and Fellowships
Students interested in experiential learning and insight into museum professions can consider applying for an internship or fellowship at the Ackland.
We offer opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students from UNC-Chapel Hill and other colleges and universities.
Ackland internships and fellowships are one to two academic terms in duration (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Students typically work in one of the Museum’s departments, focusing principally on a project designed to join Museum priorities with students’ interests. Students also participate in smaller-scale projects and routine aspects of museum work, as well as a series of special sessions just for interns and fellows that introduce them to current projects at the Ackland.
Contact us for more information about our internship and fellowship program, or about specific positions listed below.
Please note that we do not currently offer internship positions for high school students.
For Graduate Students
Paid Internships and Fellowships
Information about paid internships for graduate students, in art history and in other disciplines, is posted at the end of every Fall semester. Spring 2025 internships and fellowships have been appointed.
The Museum has the following graduate positions available. All applications are due February 17, 2025.
Object-Based Teaching Art History Fellowship
Academic year 2025-2026
UNC-Chapel Hill Art History PhD candidates are eligible to apply.
Graduate Fellowship in Museum Practice
Academic year 2025-2026
UNC-Chapel Hill graduate students enrolled in any graduate program are eligible to apply.
Joan and Robert Huntley Art History Scholarship
Summer 2025
UNC-Chapel Hill Art History graduate students at any level are eligible to apply.
Field Experiences
Graduate students in the School of Information and Library Science may arrange to work with Ackland staff members on projects that fulfill their field experience requirements.
For Undergraduate Students
Fall, Spring, and Summer Internships
Each semester, the Museum invites undergraduate students – from Carolina and from other colleges and universities – to apply for internships, either as volunteers or for academic credit. Undergraduate interns work between 7 and 20 hours per week in one of several Museum departments. Application deadlines are typically in February for summer internships, March for fall internships, and October for spring internships. Spring 2025 internships and fellowships have been appointed.
Please check back in February 2025 for more information on summer internship offerings.
For reference, most undergraduate internship applications should include:
- 1-2 page letter of interest
- CV or Resume
- Most recent transcript (unofficial copies are OK)
- Names of two references
- Future applications should be submitted to acklandlearn@unc.edu.