2026 CUNY Conservation Training Summer Internship Program

About the CUNY Conservation Training Summer Internship Program

In 2023, the success of the “What is Art Conservation?” workshops for City University of New York (CUNY) students launched a partnership with the Museum of Modern Art and CUNY to offer four students an eight-week full time, paid training internship in the Department of Conservation. This internship is open to any student who has previously attended the “What is Art Conservation?” workshops. This program funded by the Mellon Foundation is designed to further an interest in the conservation of cultural heritage, explore museum careers and to gain professional experience during the summer break.

This opportunity offers students training and development through immersion with conservators across different media specialties, including the conservation of paintings, works on paper, objects, and conservation science. Through these hands-on experiences, interns will increase their understanding of museum conservation practices and gain important experience through research and laboratory work. With the support of MoMA’s dedicated conservation staff, interns will also gain a greater understanding of the broader profession of caring for cultural heritage.

The Museum of Modern Art is committed to connecting people from around the world to the art of our time, and being a catalyst for experimentation, learning, and creativity, a gathering place for all, and a home for artists and their ideas. The collection constitutes one of the most comprehensive views into modern & contemporary art with a collection of 200,000, spanning paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, media and performance art works, architectural and design objects, and films. The conservation department is key to the care of the collection, meeting the stewardship questions posed by diverse materials.

This internship requires full-time, in-person commitment (Monday-Thursday, 9:30am to 5:30pm).

All CUNY Conservation intern applications are due by Sunday, March 1st by 11:59 PM EST.

Duration:

June 8—August 13; Ten Weeks

Application Deadline:

March 1, 2026

Decision Notification:

April 20, 2026

Stipend:

$6,160

Eligibility:

The internship program is open to CUNY undergraduate students and graduates who have previously attended MoMA’s introductory two-day workshop: “What is Art Conservation?” Students must also be enrolled full-time at a CUNY college, or have graduated from CUNY in Spring 2022 or later.

How to Apply

The following items are required as part of your online application through MoMA's UKG Recruiting Portal:

1. Essay

Three short essay responses, submitted in PDF format. Essays should be no longer than 650 words in total and answer the prompts below as follows:

• Please describe any experience you might have with arts, crafts, or other activities requiring precision and manual dexterity that may not be reflected in your coursework above. This experience can be in any context in or outside of school and may include any forms of art making such as, but not limited to: acrylic nails, bookbinding, ceramics, graffiti, illustration, painting, printmaking, sewing, tattoos, etc. (300 words maximum)


• Please describe a meaningful experience that has contributed to your personal growth? (300 words maximum)


• Please describe why you are interested in being a Conservation intern at MoMA? (300 words maximum)

2. Résumé

Your résumé/curriculum vitae, in PDF format, directly uploaded to your application.

3. Letter of Recommendation

At least one letter of recommendation, in PDF format, directly uploaded to your application.

4. Transcript

Transcript(s) of undergraduate and/or graduate records, in PDF format, directly uploaded to your application.

Unofficial transcripts are accepted. If you do not have access to an unofficial transcript, allow sufficient time to order a transcript from your college or university to attach as a PDF by the deadline.

Please note: we will not review applications received after the deadline, and we will only review complete applications. 

Select applicants will be contacted to arrange interviews in late March. If we request an interview with you, we will contact you to arrange a convenient date and time for you.

Please email any questions to: [email protected] and [email protected]. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement: Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).