IDEAL INTERNSHIP GRANTS

IDEAL Internships focus on inclusivity, diversity, equity, access, and leadership. The Trust recognizes the homogeneity of the museum field and strives to improve access to curatorial careers for students of color as a path toward achieving systemic change. The Trust will help build a more inclusive future by creating opportunities for students of color through new collaborations that promote a shift in the narratives and voices found in the museum field.

Application Process and Deadline

To apply for an IDEAL Internship Initiative Grant, please submit a proposal by August 31 to thetrust@decorativeartstrust.org. Please combine sections of your proposal into one single PDF file. Requests for additional information can also be submitted to this email address. The Trust is offering grants for up to $5,000 to museums and historic sites in support of internships that improve and promote inclusivity, diversity, equity, access, and leadership in the museum field by creating opportunities for underrepresented communities. The Trust seeks to fund summer and academic-year internships, ideally for disadvantaged high school and undergraduate students. Internships should focus on the decorative arts and object-based research, exhibitions, installations, and educational programs. There is an opportunity for a second year of funding if the grantee institution can demonstrate sufficient impact. Proposals should address the following questions and not exceed four pages:

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.

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.

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 inclusivity internships and the ability to offer internships that are led by or include the mentorship of museums professionals of color.

Audience

In addition to an emphasis on inclusivity, diversity, equity, access, and leadership, these opportunities will preferably focus on disadvantaged high school and undergraduate students. Museums and historic sites with established connections to high schools, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and public institutions of higher education that primarily serve communities of color should utilize those networks to promote an IDEAL internship.

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.

Mentorship

In the spirit of nourishing the students’ enthusiasm for and interest in museum careers, the Trust will ensure that each institution is sincerely dedicated to educating and advancing future museum scholars of color. Curatorial colleagues with a demonstrated interest in and ability to offer strong mentorship and a comprehensive experience are a must. Although these grants speak to diversity, they must also speak to the education and professional development of the students. Therefore, each internship should be led, in whole or part, by a colleague of color. The chance to have direct and meaningful contact with museum professionals of color creates opportunities for advocacy and relationship building that creates equity and reinforces the impact that the Trust seeks to make on the lives of students of color.

Format

Partner organizations will host IDEAL internships tied to the study and interpretation of the decorative arts. 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.

2025 Recipients 

• Asheville Art Museum, Asheville, NC
• Bard Graduate Center, New York, NY
• The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
• Filoli, Woodside, CA
• High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
• Liberty Hall Historic Site, Frankfort, KY

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