14 Free Art and Design Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student, internships can be a worthwhile way to explore art and design, especially if you want a career in the field. Internships offer a way to develop skills beyond the classroom. Art and design internships give you exposure to professional environments and help you develop transferable skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. Many internships are offered by colleges, museums, and cultural institutions, making them valuable learning opportunities.
Why should I do a free art and design internship in high school?
A free art and design internship can be a smart investment in your future. They give you the chance to build a strong foundation of skills, from creative problem-solving to professional communication. Gaining professional experience early also helps you confirm whether a career in art and design is right for you, so that by the time you apply to colleges, you have a clearer sense of direction. Free internships tend to be highly competitive, meaning they can strengthen your college applications by showing initiative and ability in art.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 free art and design internships for high school students.
1. Design Hive
Location: Cooper Hewitt, New York, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective cohort
Dates: December 2 - May 19
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors based in New York City
Design Hive is a paid design program that introduces students to the process of transforming creative ideas into finished products. You work as part of a youth-led team to study design objects and understand how designers move from initial concepts to execution. The program meets weekly at Cooper Hewitt, with some sessions held off-site to explore design in real-world contexts. Collaboration plays a key role, with group projects focused on collective problem-solving. Regular attendance is required to fully participate in discussions and project-based work.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective, remote program that connects high school students with internships at fast-growing startups. Opportunities span across a range of fields, such as technology, AI and machine learning, deep tech, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Many host companies are backed by Y Combinator and led by founders with experience at organizations such as Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. Interns work closely with a startup manager and receive guidance from a dedicated ladder coach while working on real projects. The program concludes with a presentation of project outcomes, and an optional combination program adds a CEO-focused internship component that involves direct collaboration with startup founders. All available roles are listed in the program’s application form.
3. MAD Artslife Interns
Location: New York, NY
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically 20 - 25 students per summer
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: April 21
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and juniors enrolled in New York City public and charter high schools
The MAD artslife internship is a paid, six-week summer program for rising high school sophomores and juniors attending New York City public or charter schools. The program introduces you to a range of museum careers, including curatorial work, marketing, visitor services, and education. The first week focuses on orientation and team-building activities, followed by collaborative projects with museum staff and local designers. You work on hands-on assignments in the artist studios, such as creating artwork and producing a podcast. The internship also includes leadership development and public speaking. Off-site visits to other cultural institutions offer additional insight into how museums engage with their communities.
4. Brooklyn Museum Creative Practice
Location: Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $16.50hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 15 - 20 students per year
Dates: September - June
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: NYC teens who are enrolled in high school as a sophomore, junior, or senior
This paid internship provides practical experience assisting with art classes while introducing students to educational roles within museums. You will support teaching artists by setting up studio spaces, assisting with instruction, and engaging with participants. The program includes collaborative art projects connected to museum themes such as social justice and community involvement. You also interact with artists and museum staff to learn about different creative career paths. The experience focuses on building transferable skills, including time management and public engagement. Taking part in the internship builds relevant experience while contributing to museum-based programs.
5. URBN Internships
Location: Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 - August 7
Application Deadline: November 3
Eligibility: High school students
URBN, the parent company of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People, offers a 10-week paid internship for students interested in fashion and retail. You will analyze current fashion trends, assess consumer insights, and work with creative teams on projects. Most positions are based at the company’s headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, while some roles may be offered remotely. The program provides practical experience within specific fashion-related functions and pays a competitive hourly rate. Interns also develop leadership and workplace skills suited to a fast-moving retail environment.
6. MoMA’s In the Making Program
Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), NY
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 18 - 24 students per session
Dates: 6 - 7 weeks in summer (three times a week)
Application Deadline: Typically, late May to early June
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 - 18
MoMA’s in the making is a studio-based program for New York City teens that focuses on exploring contemporary design through hands-on experimentation. The curriculum covers architecture, wearable technology, and sustainable fashion construction. Participants take part in extended studio sessions, interact with professional designers, and join guided gallery visits that inform their creative practice. The program provides access to advanced digital tools and concludes with a public exhibition of student projects. Through collaboration with practicing artists, students build technical fabrication skills, learn 3D modeling, and produce portfolio-ready design work.
7. Brooklyn Museum Apprentice Program (MAP)
Location: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY.
Stipend: First-year apprentices: $16.50 per hour | Second-year apprentices: $17.50 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 40 - 45 apprentices per year
Dates: November - August
Application Deadline: Early October
Eligibility: New York City high school students aged 14 - 19 years
The Brooklyn Museum Apprentice Program (MAP) is a paid internship that prepares teens for museum education roles through the study of art, history, and design. You will explore topics such as decorative arts, textile history, and social justice using the museum’s collections. The program includes curatorial research, creating original lesson plans, and leading gallery tours for diverse audiences. A key component emphasizes community engagement, encouraging students to view design as a tool of social engagement. Throughout the experience, participants build professional skills in public speaking, archival research, and collaborative project management.
8. The Met High School Internship Program – The Costume Institute
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10 - 12 interns per cycle
Dates: Summer: Typically late June through mid-August (8 weeks); School year (spring): February 10 - May 29
Application Deadline: Summer: January 14; School year: October 27
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 11 who reside in and attend a high school or home school in either New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
The Met High School Internship (Costume Institute) is a paid program for students in the New York area that introduces fashion through historical and curatorial perspectives. You will study topics such as fashion history, textile preservation, and museum operations. The experience includes supporting curatorial research, organizing archival materials, and leading themed tours for the public. A distinctive element of the program is Teen Fridays, during which interns collaborate to plan and host peer-focused events. Through close collaboration with museum professionals, participants develop skills in research, public speaking, and archival practices.
9. Whitney Museum "Youth Insights" (YI) Artists
Location: Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free MetroCards for transportation and all necessary art supplies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 20 - 25 students per semester
Dates: Fall semester: typically runs October through January | spring semester: typically runs February through May
Application Deadline: Spring: early January; fall: early September
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 - 12 who are residents of and attend school in New York City
The youth insights (YI) artists program at the Whitney Museum of American Art connects contemporary art with personal identity through themes such as craft, consumer culture, and social justice. Although it is not focused exclusively on fashion, you will work with wearable art and textile-based methods, including airbrushing, knitwear, and mixed-media sculpture. The program involves hands-on projects such as creating satirical installations, visiting artists’ studios, and collaborating on a final gallery exhibition. A key element is mentorship from professional artists, which supports the development of critical thinking and an understanding of the professional creative process.
10. RISD Pre-College (Scholarship Track)
Location: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Cost: Covered by scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective
Dates: June 27 - August 1
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors 16 - 18 years old | U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The RISD pre-college scholarship track is a selective, six-week program that offers in-depth exposure to apparel design, including garment construction, textiles, and fashion history. The curriculum extends beyond basic foundational sewing to advanced techniques such as 3D draping, custom pattern drafting, and formal critiques modeled on professional design reviews. A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on critical making, encouraging students to explore identity and sustainability through wearable forms. Participants develop technical proficiency using industrial sewing equipment while building skills in conceptual storytelling. By the end of the program, students produce a polished, college-level portfolio. While the full-tuition enrollment option increases accessibility, earning one of the limited full merit scholarships at RISD represents a significant accomplishment.
11. Disney Dreamers Academy
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students selected annually
Dates: March 25 - 29 (tentative)
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 - 12 between the ages of 13 and 19 years who are legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States or the District of Columbia and are first-time participants
The Disney Dreamers Academy provides an intensive introduction for motivated, driven high school students in film and animation. Through the entertainment and storytelling track, you will study character development, storyboarding, and the production workflow behind animated projects. The program includes hands-on sessions with Disney animators, career expos featuring industry leaders, and behind-the-scenes learning experiences across the parks. One distinctive component is the Be 100 mentorship, which connects students with well-known creatives and public figures. Throughout the experience, students build skills in visual storytelling, networking, and professional leadership.
12. The Met High School Internship Program
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 60 - 70 interns per summer
Dates: 10 weeks between July and August
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 - 11 who reside in and attend a high school or home school in either New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, and who have not completed another internship at The Met
The Met High School Summer Internship offers students from the tri-state area an immersive introduction to museum careers and professional practice. You will work alongside specialists in areas such as curation, social media, and design, gaining insight into the operations of a major cultural institution. The program emphasizes career development through structured career labs focused on networking and professional skills. Mentorship-based projects explore how art connects to public education and broader social issues. The experience is well-suited for students interested in the educational and community-oriented dimensions of the art world.
13. Smithsonian Young Ambassadors Program
Location: Washington, D.C. (1 week) plus local internship (4 weeks)
Stipend: $2,350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~15 - 20 students selected nationally
Dates: Typically, late June to early August
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: High school seniors graduating in the current academic year | Minimum weighted cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale | U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid social security number
The Smithsonian Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a leadership program focused on supporting Latino perspectives in the arts, including film and animation. Within these creative tracks, you can study visual storytelling, digital media, and cultural representation in the film industry. The program includes hands-on workshops, access to Smithsonian media archives, and individual sessions with industry professionals to understand production workflows. A key component is a stipend awarded after completing a four-week internship at a local museum. Through archival analysis and the creation of original media projects, participants build both technical and curatorial skills.
14. Wide Angle Youth Media (WAYM) Internships
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25 - 30 interns per session
Dates: Academic year (fall, spring) and summer sessions
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the session
Eligibility: Baltimore city and county youth within the high school age range
The Wide Angle Youth Media (WAYM) internships provide high school students in Baltimore, Maryland, with a paid opportunity to gain hands-on experience in media production and creative fields. The program introduces you to areas such as video production, photography, graphic design, digital storytelling, and journalism. Interns create media projects for real nonprofit clients, working in teams to manage assignments from initial concept through final delivery. The experience includes professional development workshops and the creation of a strong portfolio. A defining feature of the program is its focus on social justice storytelling, using media as a tool to amplify youth voices and address community issues.
Image Source - Cooper Hewitt logo