McDermott Intern for Adult Programs

Description

Position: McDermott Intern for Adult Programs 

Reports to:  Senior Program Manager for Arts & Letters Live 

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly 

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid holiday, personal and sick time; $500 for professional development 

Schedule: Generally, Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch (with occasional weekends and evening hours for special events on & off-site); ability to work remotely 2 days per week following 90-day introductory period  

Internship Period: September 1, 2026 - May 28, 2027 

Salary: $15/hour, 35 hours per week  

Deadline: March 16, 2026 

Mission 

The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive. 

The DMA will: 

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate. 
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art. 
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity. 

Scope of Internship   
The intern will assist with the development, implementation, and promotion of numerous onsite, offsite, and virtual lectures, performances, workshops, and special events for adults throughout the year, including Arts & Letters Live, the DMA’s literary and performing arts series. The intern will split their time between in-office work and program support on evenings and weekends. The intern will assist in program management and will work closely with guest speakers, performers, volunteers, artists, and the public. While reporting to the Senior Program Manager of A&LL, the intern will work closely with the Program Manager for Adult Programs as well as multiple team members for a holistic experience within the Adult Programs team. The intern will work with their supervisor to plan and lead a pre-event tour(s); coordinate and take the lead on an Arts & Letters Live event; and lead the content creation for the Museum Murder Mystery event.     

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Interact with visitors and provide customer service support during evening and weekend programs. 
• Process ticket orders and answer emails and phone calls from the public.  
• Collaborate with colleagues to brainstorm, research, and develop programming for adult audiences. 
• Write content and copy for web and promotional materials. 
• Attend weekly meetings with the Manager of Adult Programs and the Program Manager of Arts & Letters Live plus regular departmental meetings within Adult Programs and Education. 
• Contribute to and collaborate with the Adult Programs team to achieve departmental and institutional goals. 

Note: On an average work week, the intern will be asked to split their time between in-office work and program support on evenings and weekends. Various duties include answering emails and phone calls from the public, processing ticket orders, researching program ideas, writing copy, attending meetings, and collaborating with the Adult Programs team to achieve departmental and institutional goals.  

Internship Goals:

• Gain experience with program development in a museum setting, including planning, budgeting, logistics, execution, and evaluation.
• Grow skills in customer service and public speaking.
• Learn the process of proposing and developing program ideas through creative collaboration with colleagues. 
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop program ideas connected to the permanent collection and upcoming exhibitions.  
• Learn methods for creating educational content for adult audiences inspired by the Museum's diverse collection areas and exhibitions.
• Create educational content for adult audiences inspired by the Museum's diverse collection areas and exhibitions.  
• Ascertain professional goals and interests through the support of mentorship.  
• Develop professional communication and interpersonal skills through collaboration with Museum colleagues. 
• Understand the roles and functions of different staff within the Museum as well as the relationship between the departments and how they all function together to comprise the organization. 

Requirements

Required Experience, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in art history, art education, museum studies, or the humanities prior to the start of the internship.  
• Strong time management and organizational skills to successfully balance program and office duties.  
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.  
• Ability to work on a team.
   

Preferred Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• Prior experience with event planning or program coordination. 

Internship Project:  

• Conceptualize and write an original script for a Museum Murder Mystery Game event.  
• Research and lead one public onsite tour during second half of internship.  
• Take the lead on a select Arts & Letters Live event serving as primary point person for communication with the author’s. publicist, coordinating travel and event details, and writing and delivering an author introduction. 

Application Directions: 

McDermott Internship Program applications must include all of the below items in order to be complete. Please ensure you have reviewed the list below closely and all files are included with your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and late materials will not be accepted. If you have any difficulty with the application process or the Paylocity system, please first reach out to internships@dma.org for assistance. 

Upload and attach your resume, personal statement cover letter, and two letters of recommendation in your application form, as specified below. If your two references would prefer to submit their letters directly, please direct them to submit the letter of recommendation through the McDermott Internship Recommendation Form. All items must be received no later than March 16, 2026. 

Please save the files with your last name and document type in the title: e.g. Smith_Cover Letter_Position Title_2026. 

Resume or CV 

Submit in application under Select Resume to Upload 

Personal Statement Cover Letter 

A detailed one to two page cover letter explaining your interest in an art museum career. Include information regarding your personal learning expectations for the internship; any prior museum or art related experience; and any prior teaching experience, especially as it relates to the specific position. 

Submit in application under Upload Cover Letter 

Two Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic reference. Please list these individuals in the reference list of the application. Only two references are required in the application.

Submit in application under Upload Additional Files or Direct your references to upload through this link: 2026 DMA McDermott Internships: Letter of Recommendation Form 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 

Equity 

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all. 

Diversity 

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity. 

Inclusion 

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture. 

EOE 

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.