IDEAL INTERNSHIP GRANTS

IDEAL Internships advance inclusivity, diversity, equity, access, and leadership within the museum field. The Trust, recognizing long-standing barriers to entering curatorial and other museum careers, seeks to expand access for students from disadvantaged and underserved backgrounds as part of a broader effort to foster systemic change. Through new collaborations and educational opportunities, the Trust aims to encourage a wider range of perspectives, narratives, and voices within museums, historic sites, and other cultural organizations stewarding and promoting the decorative arts. The Trust offers grants of up to $5,000 to support paid internships. Funded internships should be open to all eligible applicants and are intended to broaden the participation of traditionally disadvantaged students. The Trust seeks to support summer and academic-year internships that focus on the decorative arts, material culture, and object-based research, exhibitions, communications, and educational programming. There is an opportunity for a second year of funding if the grantee institution can demonstrate sufficient impact.

Application Process and Deadline

To apply for an IDEAL Internship Grant, please submit a proposal by August 31 to grants@decorativeartstrust.org. Requests for additional information may also be submitted to this email address.

All application materials should be combined into a single PDF file. Proposals should address the following questions and be limited to four pages (not including supporting materials, images, etc.):

1. Provide the names and titles of lead employees participating in the internship or providing mentorship. How diverse is your institution’s professional and management staff currently? Does your institution have a diversity officer on staff?
2. How will the internship be marketed? Is the internship geared toward an intended audience (educational level, academic program, school affiliation, etc.)?
3. What is the timing and duration of the internship? How many hours will be devoted to the internship? How are the grant funds to be allocated (salary, transportation, equipment, housing, etc.)? Are you requesting a full $5,000 grant? Will grant funds be allocated for any purposes other than the benefit of the intern (salary, transportation, housing, etc.)? The expected hourly rate for IDEAL interns is $15/hour.
4. Describe in detail the proposed object-based research, exhibition, installation, or education program tied to the internship and its capstone project. What outcomes are expected of the internship (professional development, networking, public outreach, etc.)? How will the institution evaluate the impact of the internship? What opportunities are available for professional development and public outreach, such as tours, presentations, virtual programs, and writing? How will the intern benefit from the experience? Please provide specific information about the expectations, focus, structure, and activities intended for the internship.
5. How will the institution evaluate the impact of the internship?
6. What is the institution’s current investment in inclusivity and equity internships? How does your proposal for an IDEAL internship differ from or improve upon other initiatives at your institution?
7. How will this internship foster a conversation of equity and inclusivity within your organization?
8. What interests you most about this internship opportunity, and how will it transform your institution?
9. Is there any additional pertinent information you wish to add?

Click here to see a sample proposal.

As part of our funding guidelines, institutions that receive grant support are expected to have at least one staff member maintain a Trust membership for the duration of the project. Our website outlines the various membership levels. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about this requirement.

Applications will be reviewed by the members of the Trust’s Inclusion & Diversity Committee of the Board of Governors, which will announce selections by October 31.

All IDEAL Internship Grants and funded internships are administered in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws, including 42 U.S.C. § 1981, and are open to all qualified applicants without regard to race.

Partners

The Trust seeks partners—including art museums, history museums, and historic sites—with a demonstrated commitment to serving the breadth of their local community, thereby allowing the Trust to contribute to their mission through an IDEAL internship. Potential partners should have an established track record of hosting successful internships.

Outcomes

Interns will work toward a defined end goal or capstone project that ensures their academic and professional growth. Whenever possible, the interns’ goals and expectations will be incorporated into the assigned work. The Trust expects partners to provide opportunities for broader professional development, peer-to-peer networking, and public outreach through tours and presentations. The Trust requires partners to evaluate and report on the success of the internships. Through the Trust’s magazine, bulletin, and social media outlets, the interns and their mentors and host organizations have a platform to share their research and projects.

Format

The format and duration are to be determined by the prospective host institutions (e.g. full-time summer internship, part-time semester-long internship, or a part-time academic-year internship). By permitting such flexibility, the Trust will allow partners to select the model best suited for their needs and capabilities.

2026 Recipients 

• Recipients Overview
• Chester County History Center, West Chester, PA
• Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA
• Dennos Museum Center, Traverse City, MI
• Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, SC
• Yakima Valley Museum, Yakima, WA

For more information about the IDEAL Internship Initiative or the Decorative Arts Trust’s other Emerging Scholars Program initiatives, please contact us.