Student Internships
Hanes Gallery Internships
The Hanes Art Gallery/stArt gallery internship is a practicum, offering students hands-on experience in the operation and activities of an academic art gallery, with specific attention to how the galleries serve as a site for exhibitions and events, as well as learning and discourse pertaining to visual art.
Our interns can choose between: Gallery Programming and Operations, Marketing and Communications, Education and Engagement, or Curatorial and Exhibitions. Across all groups, interns develop skills in collaboration, communication strategies, timeline creation, and the art/audience interface.
Interns take part in weekly meetings to check in on projects and receive feedback from internship supervisors, the Assistant Director of the Hanes Gallery, the stArt Gallery Manager, and the Acquavella Director of University Galleries and Collections. These meetings may include visits by members of the WFU or broader community where their expertise is applicable.
Gallery Programming and Operations
The Gallery Programming and Operations Internship offers hands-on experience with the logistical and administrative work that brings exhibitions and events to life. Interns will assist with exhibition installation and deinstallation, art handling and preparation, event setup and coordination, space management, and day-to-day operational needs at either gallery. They will help coordinate artist talks, receptions, and public programs, gaining exposure to event planning, vendor coordination, scheduling, and behind-the-scenes problem-solving. Interns will frequently collaborate with Education & Engagement and Marketing & Communications interns, contributing to cross-functional projects and gaining insight into how programming, communications, and operations intersect. This role provides a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to run a university gallery, from planning and production to execution and assessment, and is ideal for students who want broad exposure to all aspects of gallery programming and operations while developing practical skills in arts administration, exhibition management, and cultural programming.
Education and Engagement
The Education and Engagement Internship is designed for students passionate about connecting audiences with art and strengthening relationships between the gallery, the university, and the broader community. The intern will lead guided tours for classes, community members, and stakeholders; develop interpretive and educational materials that support exhibitions; conduct research to deepen content knowledge; and assist with community outreach initiatives and partnership-building efforts. They will collaborate on the development and facilitation of public programs that enhance visitor engagement and foster critical dialogue around the exhibitions on view. This role offers practical experience in museum education, public-facing communication, and program development within an academic gallery context. An Art History major or minor is preferred but not required.
Marketing and Communications
The Marketing and Communications Internship focuses on developing and implementing strategies to expand the gallery’s visibility and strengthen its connection to the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities. Interns will create and schedule social media content, design promotional materials, draft newsletters and press communications, document exhibitions and events, and collaborate on integrated marketing campaigns that support programming across Hanes and stArt Gallery. The role emphasizes audience development, brand consistency, digital engagement analytics, and strategic messaging within the arts sector. This position is well-suited for students who are creative, detail-oriented, and interested in marketing, public relations, and communications strategy. Experience with Canva or Adobe Creative Suite is preferred but not required.
Curatorial and Exhibitions
The Curatorial and Exhibitions intern will work closely with the Acquavella Director of University Art Galleries & Collections, Laura Minton, and gain hands-on experience in curatorial research, exhibition planning, and exhibition development. They will collaborate on the planning and execution of the monthly FOCUS exhibition series in Benson University Center, assisting with artwork selection, research, interpretive materials, and installation logistics, while also supporting upcoming exhibitions at Hanes Art Gallery. They will also have opportunities to work alongside Hanes and stArt Gallery interns and contribute to broader gallery initiatives, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how curatorial practice intersects with programming, education, engagement, and operations. Art history major required.
FAQs
Gallery internships occur in the Fall and Spring semesters and follow the academic calendar.
Interns commit to a mixture of in-person gallery work and independent work. Each week, interns will work 4-8 scheduled hours in the gallery, take part in one hour group intern meetings as needed, and complete additional independent work outside of their scheduled hours as needed. If completing an internship for credit, interns must work at least 6 hours in the gallery per week.
Unfortunately, no. We do not pay interns at this time.
Students can only enroll in Art 293 if they are a declared major or minor in studio or art history. Unfortunately, students who intend to declare are not eligible. We try to avoid exceptions in all circumstances in this regard.
Non-major/minor students are welcome to do the internship without credit, but they will not receive course credit in response.
If you’re interested, review the descriptions of each internship position. Fill out the application.
If you are interested in more than one internship position, please submit a separate application for each position. You will only be selected for one position.
Students may do multiple internships, but they can only receive course credit for Art 293 once.
FALL 2026 DEADLINE: March 30 , 2026