Internships
at the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
Application Deadlines:
Summer Cycle 2025: February 7, 2025
Fall Cycle 2025: May 9, 2025
Spring Cycle 2026: October 3, 2026
Are you passionate about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and histories?
Established in 1997, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) has amplified AANHPI voices across the Smithsonian for nearly three decades, bringing untold stories to the national stage through virtual and temporary exhibitions. Our mission is to ensure the comprehensive representation and inclusion of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders across the Smithsonian’s collections, research, exhibitions, and programs. We view museums as spaces for civic engagement, hands-on learning, critical thinking, and constructive dialogue. Through education initiatives, publications, and public programs, APAC provides new avenues to document, celebrate, and share the rich and diverse history, art, and culture of AANHPI communities every day, everywhere, and all the time.
APAC has two primary internship tracks - Education and Operations.
- The Education track will focus on projects that expand AANHPI representation in K-12 education nationwide and interns’ knowledge of educational platforms and community partnerships.
- The Operations track will focus on projects related to upcoming exhibitions and expanding interns’ knowledge on museum operations and procedures.
While these tracks are separate, the internship program’s foundation is a cohort-learning environment, where interns can expect to collaborate with and learn from one another. All interns at APAC will work alongside staff, receive professional development, and expand their knowledge on museum operations and “behind the scenes” work throughout the internship.
APAC occasionally offers a curatorial/archival track. Applicants can see if the curatorial/archival track is available by looking on SOLAA.
- The Curatorial/Archival track will focus on curatorial and/or archival projects that focus on AANHPI representation in the Smithsonian archives and/or collections, including research and writing, and potential program development. Curatorial interns will also be in a cohort-learning environment with other APAC interns.
Additional information on the internship tracks and how to apply can be found in our Application Guide.
How can I apply?
All applications and the accompanying materials will be submitted through the Smithsonian’s SOLAA portal. Instructions on how to apply can be found in our application guide.
Applications must include:
- A three (3) page Personal Abstract
- Resume or Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Unofficial academic transcripts from all higher education institutions attended
- One (1) Academic Writing Sample (no more than 5 pages MAX)
- One (1) Letter of Recommendation
* The Personal Abstract and Academic Writing Sample should all be formatted in 12pt font, Times New Roman, and double-spaced.
Application Timelines and Deadlines
- Spring Cycle 2025
- Application Opens: September 3, 2024
- Application Deadline: October 4, 2024, at 11:59PM EST
- Internship Start and End Dates: February 3 - April 18, 2025
- Summer Cycle 2025
- Application Opens: January 2, 2025
- Application Deadline: February 7, 2025 at 11:59PM EST
- Internship Start and End Dates: June 2 - August 8, 2025
- Fall Cycle 2025
- Application Opens: April 7, 2025
- Application Deadline: May 9, 2025 at 11:59PM EST
- Internship Start and End Dates: September 2 - November 14, 2025
- Spring Cycle 2026
- Application Opens: September 2, 2025
- Application Deadline: October 3, 2025
- Internship Start and End Dates: February 2, 2025 – April 10, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Asian Pacific American Center’s Internship Program? A ten-week cohort-based internship experience. In the Spring and Fall cycles, the internship is part-time (10-17 hours a week) with a $24/hour stipend. In the Summer cycle, the internship is full-time (35 hours a week) with a weekly $850 stipend.
How many interns are accepted? For the Spring and Fall cycles, two (2) interns will typically be accepted unless otherwise noted. For the summer cycle, four (4) interns will typically be accepted per cycle unless otherwise noted.
Who is eligible? Current undergraduate students (current sophomores, juniors and seniors) and recent graduates from an undergraduate program (within 15 months of graduation). All applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. All majors are welcome!
Where is the internship? The internship program will be an in-person experience at the APAC office in Washington, D.C.
When does the internship take place? Internships take place over the course of around 10 weeks in three cycles: Fall, Spring, Summer. Please check the application guide for more details.
What is the expected weekly time commitment? Spring/Fall cycle interns are expected to commit 10-17 hours per week for ten weeks. Summer cycle interns are expected to commit 35 hours per week for ten weeks.
Is the Asian Pacific American Center’s Internship Program paid? During the Spring and Fall cycles, each intern will receive a $24/hour stipend. In the Summer cycle, each intern will receive a weekly $850 stipend.
Is housing provided in Washington, D.C.? No, Interns are required to find their own housing accommodations. For some guidance, please check out the Smithsonian Office of Internship Programs' information on travel and housing for the Washington, DC area. If you're selected for an internship, you'll receive some informal, unofficial guidance to help you prep for your internship, including finding housing.
Is there a vaccination requirement? The Smithsonian may require proof of vaccination. Please see additional information regarding reasonable accommodations here.
What happens after I submit my application in SOLAA?
After the internship deadline (see date above) passes, the Asian Pacific American Center Internship Committee will review all completed applications submitted to SOLAA. Within approximately 2-3 weeks, the committee will notify selected candidates for a virtual interview. Once the interviews are completed, the committee will make their selections for the semester and notify candidates within 2 weeks. Internship offers will be delivered via email. All candidates who submitted an application will receive a status update through SOLAA approximately 5 weeks after the internship deadline has passed. Notification times may vary depending on the size of the application pool and staff capacity.
Within a week, after a student is selected and accepts their internship position, APAC will send several forms for the accepted student to fill out as soon as possible. Any delay to these documents could impact the students’ internship start date and eligibility.
Any Questions can be directed to APAC-Internships@si.edu.
