The Department of History of Art and Architecture supports a variety of experiential learning opportunities for its undergraduate students to gain professional experience in galleries, museums and the cultural sector. Students can gain professional experience in several ways:
Fall and Spring Placements
Museum Studies students can secure an internship, externship, or other project-based professional placement for academic credit as part of their requirements. These take place during the fall and spring semesters, and include regular cohort meetings to ensure interns maximize their professional opportunities of their roles. Students should enroll in HAA0106 Museum Studies Professional Preparation in the semester before they plan to undertake an internship. This class is a prerequisite for HAA1905 Experiential Learning Placement. Students with questions about this process may contact Alex Taylor alex.taylor@pitt.edu.
Summer Opportunities
With the support of the Tomayko Foundation and other partners, we make available funds for students seeking to undertake internships and other professional experiences in the Summer. Details for available opportunities will be advertising in the Spring.
National Internships
Our students have also been competitive, securing appointments at national internship programs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, the Guggenheim Museum, the Smithsonian Institutions, and elsewhere. A database of these opportunities is available to students participating in the HAA0106 Internship Preparation class, or by contacting Alex Taylor alex.taylor@pitt.edu.
Other Opportunities
ACT Community Research Fellowship | Summer or Fall + Spring
Brackenridge Summer Fellowship | Summer
Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Fellowship | Fall or Spring