Teens Program Intern, Dia Beacon

About Dia Beacon

Located in Beacon, New York, Dia Beacon presents Dia Art Foundation’s renowned collection of art from the 1960s to the present as well as special exhibitions, new commissions, and educational and public programs. Occupying a former box-printing factory on the banks of the Hudson River, the contemporary art museum spans nearly 300,000 square feet and features installations of works by some of the most significant artists of the last half century. 

Internship summary

Dia seeks a Program Intern to work with Dia Teens during its 2025 summer intensive. Working closely with Learning and Engagement’s program team and an artist educator, the Program Intern is a critical member of the program team, providing wide-ranging daily administrative and operational support while also directly supporting the teen cohort’s culture and community. Over the course of the summer, the Program Intern will engage with contemporary art and artists and develop a deep relationship with the Learning and Engagement department at Dia. Additional learning opportunities include engaging with family and community-based programs as well as participating in staff trainings, attending Dia lectures or events, and engaging with colleagues in the field of arts and museum education. 

Internship details 

Department: Learning and Engagement 

Duration: July 1–August 22, 2025

Schedule: Tuesday–Friday, 10 am–4 pm, on-site, up to 28 hours per week (off-site field trips may extend hours)

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Work on-site at Dia Beacon up to 28 hours per week; attend all Dia Teens program sessions and team meetings as directed 
• Support and contribute intelligence to the administration, production, and facilitation of the Dia Teens program; work closely with the program team and artist educator to support the culture and day-to-day operations of the teen program, track attendance, organize and prepare workshop materials, maintain an organized program space, provide peer mentorship for participating teens, collect and organize program documentation, and participate in planning sessions
• With support from the Learning and Engagement team, articulate and work toward self-identified goals related to academic, community-based, and/or professional interests and participate in ongoing reflection throughout the duration of the internship
• Additional responsibilities and research opportunities available as agreed upon, in support of the intern’s self-identified goals 

Education, certification, and experience

• High school diploma or relevant internship/work experience required; college-level experience in art history, education, curatorial/museum studies, studio art, or a related field a plus
• Interest in working with out-of-school or community-based programming for youth with diverse ages, backgrounds, and learning styles required; applied experience working directly with children and youth a plus
• Knowledge of Dia Art Foundation’s history, mission, and sites a plus
• Prior participation in Dia’s Learning programs highly desired; alumni of Dia’s programming for youth and young adults strongly encouraged to apply

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Interest in contemporary art and pedagogy
• Commitment to making art and museum experiences accessible for young people
• Curiosity and eagerness to grow as a professional and as a learner in a collaborative team setting
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with both Mac and PC platforms preferred

Working conditions and physical demands 

• This is an on-site, part-time position with a Tuesday to Friday schedule
• Moderate computer work, some of which may include repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting, and sustained visual and mental applications
• Occasional lifting, bending, pulling, collating, and filling, some of which could be heavy (up to 15 lb.) or require the use of carts

Dia Art Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, Dia will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and supports a neurodiverse workplace. Candidates with nontraditional learning or career paths and/or applicants whose qualifications differ from those listed above are encouraged to apply.

Qualified applicants may apply for this position by emailing the following materials to [email protected] with “Teen Program Internship, Dia Beacon” as the subject heading.  

1.     Cover letter highlighting your interest in working with the Dia Teens program; sharing your experiences with community building, contemporary art, and/or education; and describing your professional goals related to arts learning, museum education, and/or youth development.

2.     Resume, CV, or equivalent overview of professional and/or learning-based experiences

3.     Optional: Applicants may also submit up to three supplemental materials relevant to their interest in this internship, such as documentation of projects that engage with learning, community building, or youth; curriculum samples or workshop plans; documentation of meaningful past experiences with peer learning communities; etc.

No phone calls or emails to addresses other than the one specified. 

06/13/2025