Internships

The Gallery 400 internship program welcomes UIC undergraduate students who want to broaden their education and professional experience by working at one of the nation’s most vibrant university galleries, showcasing work at the leading edge of contemporary art, architecture, and design. Working collaboratively under the guidance of the Gallery’s staff, interns assist in regular gallery work, ranging from curatorial research, programming, visitor services, and special projects to administrative roles. Our internship program provides hands-on opportunities to learn directly from arts professionals and to connect with professionals in various Chicago cultural institutions.

Our internships are Federal Work Study funded and interns are paid through the UIC Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Award (CURA). To be eligible for CURA, UIC students must have Federal Work-Study as part of their 2024-2025 financial aid award. You are required to submit proof of your Federal Work Study award in your application. See how to view your financial aid award notification here. Internships require a commitment of 7 hours per week and are typically a semester in length. A major in art history or fine art is not required. Academic credit can be arranged.

DEADLINE: Sunday, July 27, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CT. via Handshake

Exhibitions Intern

Archives Intern

Gallery 400 seeks an intern interested in organizing the Gallery’s history in our physical and digital archives. The new website that Gallery 400 launched in March 2021 is designed to document, in detail, the Gallery’s history of 40 years of events and exhibitions. It builds on extensive archival documentation undertaken in 2011 and 2012. The intern will work to recover, organize, and make public the documentation lost in the 2017 crash of Gallery 400’s old website. With mentorship from Gallery 400 staff, the intern will gain experience in archival organization, documentation, operational practices, and web content management. They will also oversee a plan to make it publicly accessible with assistance from the Richard J. Daley Library.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Upload, edit, and reformat fragmented materials on the website
• Develop an operational handbook and a catalog checklist system for the Gallery’s physical archive
• Write blog posts highlighting Gallery 400’s history of exhibitions
• Liaise with external partners and research regarding previous exhibitions and publications
• Upload exhibition installation photos to the Gallery’s website; re-upload high-res images for various exhibition web pages
• Attend and staff exhibition openings and select events (including occasional evenings and weekends)
• Staff the front desk regularly

DESIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of web content management (WordPress) and Adobe Photoshop and InDesign preferred
• A high degree of organization and attention to detail
• Strong writing and proofreading skills

TO APPLY: Submit a résumé, cover letter, and proof of your Federal Work Study award in a single PDF here or search Handshake via code #10049072

Communications Internship

The Communications Intern assists the Communications team in creating visibility for Gallery 400’s exhibitions and programs, attracting new audiences and retaining our current ones through print and digital platforms. Together with the Communications Graduate Staffer, the intern will strategically produce marketing and promotional materials for exhibitions and programs. With excellent editorial and digital skills and attention to detail, the intern follows the Gallery’s style guide and uses our design templates to ensure consistency and accuracy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create and distribute marketing materials (posters, postcards, and mailers) across Instagram, Facebook, and designated on-campus sites
• Monitor and devise engaging content for social media including reels and interviews; ensure consistent communication across all platforms
• Maintain and update the Gallery’s website, press contact lists and Flickr
• Attend meetings, exhibition openings and select events. Includes occasional evenings and weekends
• Staff the front desk regularly
• Performs other related work as needed

DESIRED SKILLS

• Proficient with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere, Microsoft
• Office, and Google Suite
• A high degree of organization, attention to detail, and excellent proofreading and
• copyediting skills (grammar, punctuation, typography, style)
• Familiarity with social media and marketing platforms including Facebook,
• Instagram, and Mailchimp

TO APPLY: Submit a résumé, cover letter, and proof of your Federal Work Study award in a single PDF here or search Handshake via code #10049025

Public Programs and Learning Engagement Intern 

The Public Programs and Learning Engagement Intern supports the public programs, events, and community outreach associated with Gallery 400’s upcoming exhibitions, Learning Together: Art, Education, and Community (Fall 2025). Working closely with the Assistant Director, the intern will perform outreach to promote relevant programming and invite potential and current partners to collaborate with the Gallery. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Assist with the development, planning, and execution of public programming 
• Communicate with artists and other partners involved in Gallery 400 programs 
• Write social media posts to promote programs and exhibitions 
• Staff programs and events as needed (includes occasional evenings and weekends) 
• Develop teaching resources for educators related to current and future exhibitions 
• Lead gallery tours for students and the broader public 
• Assemble contact information and correspondence for marketing and outreach 

DESIRED SKILLS

• A high degree of organization and attention to detail 
• Passion for teaching with art objects 
• Excellent written and public speaking skills 
• Strong ability to work independently and collaboratively

TO APPLY: Submit a résumé, cover letter, and proof of your Federal Work Study award in a single PDF here or search Handshake via code #10049234