Mason Exhibitions
Internship & Volunteer Program
Launch your career in contemporary art, research, and social engagement.
Mason Exhibitions is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of arts professionals through rigorous, hands-on experience. Interns and volunteers work side by side with curators, artists, researchers, and cultural practitioners—gaining firsthand insight into how exhibitions, public art, and creative research are conceived, produced, and shared with diverse audiences.
We invite motivated students, emerging professionals, and engaged community members to build substantive skills in contemporary art and exhibition-making. Whether your interests lie in curatorial practice, research, public art, communications, or collections, this program offers a dynamic entry point into arts and cultural careers. Applicants from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, especially those interested in how art intersects with social, cultural, and civic life.
About Mason Exhibitions & the Provisions Research Center
Mason Exhibitions serves George Mason University and the broader region through a constellation of programs that connect contemporary art, interdisciplinary research, and social engagement. Our work fosters dialogue around urgent cultural questions—linking artistic practice to scholarship, community life, and public space.
Internships are available across four interconnected units, allowing participants to tailor their experience to their interests:
Provisions Research Center for Art & Social Change
A research and development platform investigating how art contributes to more equitable, connected, and sustainable societies. Interns support research that informs future exhibitions and public projects.
Mason Exhibitions Galleries
Exhibitions featuring regional, national, and international artists, grounded in Provisions’ research themes. Interns assist with exhibition development, preparation, and public engagement.
Arlington: Mason Exhibitions Arlington
Fairfax: Gillespie Gallery of Art in Art & Design Building, George Mason University
Murals at Mason
A public art initiative commissioning student and professional artists to activate campus and community spaces through large-scale murals and projects.
University Art Collection
A teaching and research collection of over 3,000 artworks displayed across all Mason campuses. Interns may conduct in-depth research on selected works, contributing to documentation and interpretation.
Applicants may choose to work in one or multiple units.
Internship Areas
Visual Arts Management
Gain experience in arts administration, including marketing, fundraising, communications strategy, and organizational planning.
Exhibition Installation & Art Handling
Learn professional standards for packing, transporting, and installing artworks—essential skills for museum and gallery careers.
Communications/Graphic Design
Develop skills in visitor engagement, tours, and educational activities. Interns may also contribute to social media, graphic and web design, photography, and public relations—helping translate curatorial ideas for broad audiences.
University Art Collections
Assist with cataloging, research, documentation, interpretation, and display of artworks across campus.
Research & Creative Collaboration
Support exhibition research, source reference materials, and assist with collaborative artistic and curatorial projects.
Art & Social Change Library (Provisions Research Center)
Help maintain and expand the Provisions Library, an interdisciplinary resource focused on art, social justice, and cultural research. Responsibilities may include organizing materials, digital cataloging, updating thematic research clusters, supporting research inquiries, and connecting library resources to exhibitions and public programs.
What You’ll Gain
Hands-on, experiential learning
Mentorship from arts professionals
Professional networking opportunities
Skill-building in curation, research, communication, and project management
Opportunities to contribute directly to exhibitions and public art initiatives
Exposure to interdisciplinary and socially engaged artistic practices
Portfolio and résumé development
Eligibility & Commitment
Internships
8–30 hours per week/10-14 weeks, depending on program needs
Students seeking academic credit must confirm requirements with their academic department in advance
Primarily unpaid, with occasional paid opportunities supported by special projects or matching funds
In-person participation preferred; some hybrid, remote, evening, or weekend options may be available
Volunteering
Minimum 3 hours per week, with flexible scheduling based on project needs
Federal Work-Study (FWS) Opportunities
Mason Exhibitions offers a limited number of paid Federal Work-Study positions for eligible George Mason University students. The FWS program is need-based and determined through FAFSA. Students must be enrolled at least half-time and have an active FWS award. Applicants are encouraged to confirm eligibility with the Office of Financial Aid prior to applying.
Find more information about FWS at Mason in this link.
How to Apply
Please complete the application form linked below and upload your résumé. Selected applicants will be invited to interview to determine the best placement based on interests and availability.
Applicants are encouraged to apply toward the end of the semester for participation in the following semester. A limited number of summer internships are available; information regarding these opportunities will be announced in March or April. Exceptions to the application timeline may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
We look forward to welcoming curious, committed, and creative individuals who are eager to learn, contribute meaningfully, and grow within Mason Exhibitions’ collaborative community.
For more information or questions, please contact the internship coordinator, Steven Luu at sluu5@gmu.edu.