Summary

The Art Institute of Chicago’s department of Experience Design is excited to offer a McMullan Arts Leadership intern position to work with their Visual Design team.

The Experience Design team is the creative studio at the heart of the museum, hosting a multidisciplinary team of visual designers, video and audio producers, developers, project managers and integration specialists. The Visual Design team is responsible for all things visual in the museum—ranging from exhibits, to print materials, digital products, environmental and service design, and brand.

The McMullan Arts Leadership Internship in Visual Design offers the opportunity for a designer early in their career to explore their interests and refine their skills through a broad range of creative design projects.

The intern will join a museum-wide intern cohort and have access to a range of programs to support their development in addition to their placement in Visual Design. Mentorship is provided throughout the experience, and connections with an intern alumni network will be established.

Key Details

Compensation: $17.50/hour

Term: 32 weeks (September 2026 – April 2027)

Schedule: PT (max. 14 hours/week)

Format: The internship will be fully onsite. Due to onsite necessity, applicants based or attending school in the Chicagoland area during the internship timeframe will be prioritized. Internet access and appropriate technology will be necessary to complete this internship; technological accommodations will be provided by the Art Institute of Chicago based on necessity.

Deadline: 07/27/2026 (11:59 PM CDT)

Eligibility

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate student; recent graduates (within one year of graduation) will also be considered;
• Applicants must be based in the Chicagoland area and/or attending school in the Chicagoland area over the course of the internship term;
• Strong interest in developing typographic skills and understanding of grid systems;
• Creatively approach to the use of typography, image, and color;
• Proficiency in Adobe’s Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro);
• Comfortable working in a team environment and contributing to group discussions as well as receiving feedback;
• Collaborative approach to problem solving + problem solving mindset;
• Ability to balance multiple projects in a fast-paced studio environment.

About

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

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