The Smithsonian Experience

Throughout your Smithsonian internship, you'll work with experts in their fields on one-of-a-kind projects. You'll also have access to our world-class libraries and research facilities. But it's not all work—you'll also receive special discounts, invitations to exclusive events, and behind-the-scenes tours of Washington's top destinations.

• Events and Activities
• Discounts
• Special Facilities
• Career Opportunities

SPECIAL INTERN OPPORTUNITIES

Smithsonian interns have many opportunities to attend special events arranged by the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies. These may include ice cream socials, networking receptions, and lectures about museum careers. Other activities include free IMAX® movies and planetarium shows, free tickets for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and tours of the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, and the Pentagon.

Special events are also arranged at individual museums by intern program coordinators. These include lectures by curators and staff, behind-the-scenes tours, and social events.

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SMITHSONIAN EVENTS

Smithsonian interns can take part in more than 100 educational and cultural activities each month. These range from films and festivals, to tours and performances, to lectures and demonstrations.

Calendar »

MUSEUM SHOPS

On presentation of a valid Smithsonian ID, interns receive a 20 percent discount in Smithsonian Museum Shops. Each shop features items related to the museum’s collection, including books, posters, and crafts.

Museum Shops »

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FOOD FACILITIES

On presentation of a valid Smithsonian ID, interns receive a 30 percent discount in all public food facilities at the Smithsonian.

Public Dining Facilities

Interns have access to staff food facilities from Monday through Friday in the Hirshhorn Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, and the Castle. The prices in staff facilities have already been discounted.

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COMPLIMENTARY SHOWS

Smithsonian interns receive one complimentary ticket per week for IMAX® screenings at the Lockheed Martin IMAX® Theater at the National Air and Space Museum and the Johnson IMAX® Theater at the National Museum of Natural History. You can also receive free tickets for selected programs at the Einstein Planetarium at Air and Space museum's. Vouchers are not valid for evening Hollywood films (aka "feature films")

IMAX® movies and showtimes »

LIBRARIES AND REFERENCE CENTERS

Interns are encouraged to take advantage of the twenty branches of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries (SIL), which house 1.5 million volumes, 40,000 rare books, 15,000 current journals, and 2,000 manuscripts. You will find reference materials, individual subject files, journals, books, and audiotapes on every museum topic.

Hours for most libraries are 8:45 am to 5:15 pm, Monday through Friday.

Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Online Catalogue

Interns also have access to the Library of Congress and Washington-area public libraries.

Library of Congress
District of Columbia Public Libraries

Many people become interested in museum careers during their Smithsonian internships. And many Smithsonian interns go on to get jobs at the Smithsonian sometime after their internship is completed. In fact, we highly encourage interns to apply for Smithsonian jobs after receiving their degrees. After all, the Smithsonian employs more than 6,400 people across the world!

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MUSEUM FIELD

The Museum Studies Web site contains articles, bibliographies, and other information on museum work and museum-related careers. The Museum Studies Bibliographies contain more than 1,000 bibliographic citations to publications on the role and function, history and philosophy, and nature and structure of museums.

Museum Studies

SMITHSONIAN JOBS

As the Smithsonian works to share its collections and research with the American people, it must continue to build a workforce with an amazing diversity of skills. Tens of millions of people visit our museums, participate in our programs, read our magazines, or engage us through the Internet. It is our mission to provide them with an experience they will remember for a lifetime. You can help create the memories.

We believe that a workforce composed of a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds supports and enhances our daily work life as well as the richness and diversity of our exhibits and programs.

Human Resources
Current Job Vacancies
How to Apply