Are you passionate about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and histories? Apply for the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) Internship Program 2025.
About Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Internship Program
Opportunity Details
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. Their 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.
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.
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
Benefits of Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Internship Program
- In the Summer cycle, the internship is full-time (35 hours a week) with a weekly $850 stipend.
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Internship Program Requirements
- Open to 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!
Application Date and Process
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 Deadline
07 February, 2025
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Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Internship Program
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