Careers & Internships

A degree from the School of Art and Art History at DU opens doors to a wide range of creative, professional, and civic pathways. We are committed to helping students translate their creativity, critical thinking, and visual literacy into meaningful careers. 

Through internships, hands-on learning, and mentorship from faculty and alumni, students gain real-world experience in museums, galleries, design studios, nonprofits, cultural organizations, and beyond. These opportunities allow students to explore professional interests, build networks, and develop practical skills that complement their academic work.

Internships

Undergraduate

Academic credit for internship work, referred to as “Experiential Learning,” encompasses various categories such as internships, externships, cooperative education programs, clinical experiences, and more. To register your internship experience under Experiential Learning and receive DU credit or fulfill a degree requirement, collaborate with your major advisor to complete the form below before starting your experience. 

Experiential Learning Registration Form

Graduate

Students in the Museum Studies Concentration will enroll in an internship with an area art museum or professional gallery, or other arts/cultural organization, including opportunities in the University of Denver art galleries, usually taken during the summer following their first year of graduate studies. The class ARTH 4651, Museum Methods and Principles, is a prerequisite to taking the internship. Dean Sobel, Professor of the Practice of Art History and Museum Studies, usually arranges internships individually to suit each student’s needs and interests and closely monitors their performance. 

Recommended Opportunities

  • Denver Art Museum

    Since the 1950s, we have partnered with the Denver Art Museum (DAM) to further graduate-level museum studies education. Our long-standing partnership with this trailblazing community institution has evolved to provide a variety of benefits for our students.

    • DAM curators teach courses, allowing students to learn directly from professionals in their field. 
    • Students have the opportunity to take classes inspired by the museum's current exhibitions, allowing them to experience the artwork they are studying firsthand.
    • Students are invited to participate in DAM learning opportunities such as the Logan Lecture series. 
    • Pre-art conservation majors gain hands-on experience in their field with professional conservators in Denver museums and conservation centers.
    • The DAM partners with DU to offer the Hamilton Artists-in-Residence program, which brings visiting artists to the University.

     

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  • Clyfford Still Museum

    Many of our pre-art conservation majors participate in internships at the Clyfford Still Museum, which displays the work of abstract expressionist Clyfford Still. In addition, the CSM's conservator teaches our Introduction to Art Conservation class, giving students the opportunity to learn from an expert in the field.

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  • Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art

    Our relationship with the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art allows students to curate exhibitions from its collections and place their research in its permanent files. Because of our close connections with the Kirkland Museum, their works of art have been included in student-organized exhibitions on the DU campus.

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  • Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver

    Opportunities at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) include the multicultural curatorial fellowship and volunteering at lectures, exhibition openings, galas and more.

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  • Museo de las Americas

    At Museo de las Americas, students can volunteer or intern in all areas of the Museo — from acting as docents or assisting in art installation to collections, marketing or business.

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  • Downtown Aurora Visual Arts

    DAVA offers arts education to urban youth between the ages of 3 and 17. Students can gain experience in teaching art to youth and working in a nonprofit environment through roles as volunteers, interns and guest artists.

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Work Study Opportunities

Looking for a campus job in the arts?

Students with a work-study award through financial aid who want to work in the School of Art & Art History should visit PCO, DU’s job and internship board for students. Students can search for current job openings and apply through the site. For further information about student employment, visit the Career & Professional Development page for Student Employees. 

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Applications are open for the following work-study positions: Photography Lab Assistant I, Photography Lab Assistant II, Sculpture Studio Assistant I, Studio Assistant to the Sculpture Technician. We recommend also searching in PCO for positions like the ones listed below on campus. 

At HASC, students truly drive the projects and have a chance to receive top notch Collections Management training. This has contributed to our success in getting students placed in degree-related positions after graduation.

Nessa Kerr, Collections Manager, University Art Collections Student Opportunities
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Kelleher Studio Assistant Award

The Kelleher Family Endowment in Art supports visiting artists and student studio assistants in SAAH. Every spring quarter, the SAAH studio faculty meet to determine how the funds will be spent for the upcoming year. On alternating years, the funds are used to employ a Kelleher Studio Assistant selected by the faculty. 

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Why Study Art?

As a student in the School of Art & Art History at DU, you have the opportunity to explore various ways of creating, examining, understanding, displaying and promoting art. 

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Connect with Alumni

Maintaining a strong network of connections from DU, especially those who currently work in a field that utilizes their art degree, is vital to securing a job after graduation. 

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