SUNY-Exclusive Internship Opportunities at the Thomas Cole Site

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The Thomas Cole National Historic Site is excited to partner with the State University of New York (SUNY) on internships!

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. established a system-wide mission to ensure that every undergraduate student across SUNY’s 64 campuses takes part in an internship or other experiential learning opportunity tied to High-Impact Practices (HIPs) before they graduate. First formally rolled out in 2023, this ongoing initiative is designed to drive social mobility, increase college retention, and connect student education directly with New York’s workforce needs.

Currently available positions at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site as part of this initiative:

  • Visitor Engagement Intern (Spring 2027) | Apply by December 4, 2026
  • Development & Special Events Intern (Spring 2027) | Apply by December 4, 2026
  • Education Intern: Art Camp (Summer 2027) | Apply by April 9, 2027
Internships are open only to currently enrolled SUNY students. Learn more about each internship below.

Visitor Engagement Intern | Spring Semester 2027

The Visitor Engagement Intern supports the Education department in welcoming visitors to the site. You’ll join a small, dynamic team at a beautiful historic site in the scenic Hudson Valley and gain front-line experience in museum education, interpretation, and visitor operations. The intern reports to the Director of Visitor Engagement.

  • Location: On-site at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site
  • Department: Education – Visitor Engagement
  • Supervisor: Director of Visitor Engagement
  • Suggested Majors: History, Art History, Arts Management, Anthropology, Education / Education Studies, Communication, Fine Arts, and Liberal Arts & Sciences (Humanities or Social Science)
  • Internship Term: Spring 2027 – 8 weeks between February and May (timing depends on course load and schedule) – 15 hours/week – 120 hours total
  • Schedule: Fridays–Sundays, 11 am–4 pm (some flexibility)
  • Compensation: Unpaid. Students should check with their campus career services office about funding available for students in unpaid internships at nonprofit organizations
  • Academic Credit: Eligible for academic credit. This internship totals 120 hours and is structured around the NACE Career Readiness Competencies. Contact your internship or career services office to register
  • Application Deadline: Friday, December 4, 2026

Working with site staff and volunteers, you will:

  • Welcome visitors to the site with warm and friendly greetings
  • Facilitate self-guided experiences, building knowledge of the site to inform the public substantively and answer questions accurately
  • Lead and facilitate guided tours and group visits
  • Stay informed about special offers, events and programming, and the surrounding Catskill area, and share this information with visitors
  • Stay informed about site policies and operating schedule, and communicate them to visitors
  • Communicate with your supervisor about daily operations
  • Assist with special events
  • Currently enrolled SUNY student studying history, art history, education, arts management, or a related field
  • Friendly, outgoing, and comfortable speaking with the public and small groups
  • Curiosity about American art, history, and the Hudson Valley
  • Available Fridays through Sundays, 11 am–4 pm, for 8 weeks during the Spring Semester

Individuals from backgrounds that have traditionally been underrepresented in museums are encouraged to apply. 

  • On-site at a historic property with a 19th-century house, studios, a visitor center, and outdoor grounds
  • Standing and walking for extended periods, including stairs and moving between buildings and across grounds in varied weather
  • Regular weekend hours, with occasional event hours
  • Public-facing role working with visitors of all ages, including school and tour groups
  • Reliable transportation to Catskill, NY, is recommended

Submit the following as ONE single PDF document:

  • Cover letter outlining your interest in the internship
  • Résumé
  • Contact information for two references familiar with your professional or academic experience
  • Unofficial transcript (to verify current SUNY enrollment)

Email your PDF to BOTH:

Subject line: SUNY Internship Application

Apply by: Friday, December 4, 2026

Development & Special Events Intern | Spring Semester 2027

The Development & Special Events Intern supports the Development department in fundraising, marketing, and events for the site. You’ll join a small, dynamic team at a beautiful historic site in the scenic Hudson Valley and gain hands-on experience in nonprofit development, event planning, and marketing. The intern reports to the Senior Manager of Events, Marketing, & Visitor Operations.

  • Location: On-site at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site
  • Department: Development – Events & Marketing
  • Supervisor: Senior Manager of Events, Marketing, & Visitor Operations
  • Suggested Majors: Business Administration, Communication, Arts Management, History, Art History, and Liberal Arts & Sciences (Humanities or Social Science). Students with a Museum Studies minor or museum coursework are encouraged to apply.
  • Internship Term: Spring 2027 – 8 weeks between February and May (timing depends on course load and schedule) – 15 hours/week – 120 hours total
  • Schedule: Three days per week, 11 am–4 pm (some flexibility)
  • Compensation: Unpaid. Students should check with their campus career services office about funding available for students in unpaid internships at nonprofit organizations
  • Academic Credit: May be eligible for academic credit. This internship totals 120 hours and is structured around the NACE Career Readiness Competencies. Contact your internship or career services office to register
  • Application Deadline: Friday, December 4, 2026

Working with site staff, you will:

  • Conduct prospect research on corporate sponsors, vendor partners, and business members
  • Take inquiries for event rentals and help schedule client calls and visits
  • Assist with developing and running community programs and special events
  • Help plan and create social media content
  • Stay informed about special offers, events and programming, and the surrounding Catskill area, and share this information with event guests
  • Communicate with your supervisor about projects and events
  • Assist with additional tasks as needed
  • Currently enrolled SUNY student studying business, communication, arts management, history, art history, museum studies, or a related field
  • Interest in nonprofit fundraising, marketing, or event planning
  • Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable speaking with clients and guests
  • Available three days per week during the spring semester

Individuals from backgrounds that have traditionally been underrepresented in museums are encouraged to apply. 

  • On-site at a historic property with a 19th-century house, studios, a visitor center, and outdoor grounds
  • Mix of office work (research, scheduling, content creation) and on-site event support
  • Standing, walking, and light setup during events, including some time outdoors
  • Occasional evening or weekend hours may be needed for special events
  • Reliable transportation to Catskill, NY, is recommended

Submit the following as ONE single PDF document:

  • Cover letter outlining your interest in the internship
  • Résumé
  • Contact information for two references familiar with your professional or academic experience
  • Unofficial transcript (to verify current SUNY enrollment)

Email your PDF to BOTH:

Subject line: SUNY Internship Application

Apply by: Friday, December 4, 2026

Education Intern: Art Camp | Summer Semester 2027

The Education Intern supports the Education department’s summer Art Camp for children ages 6–11. You’ll join a small, dynamic team at a beautiful historic site in the scenic Hudson Valley and gain hands-on experience in museum education, teaching, and youth programming. The intern reports to the Director of Visitor Engagement.

  • Location: On-site at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site
  • Department: Education – Art Camp
  • Supervisor: Director of Visitor Engagement
  • Suggested Majors: Education / Education Studies, History, Art History, Arts Management, Anthropology, Communication, Fine Arts, and Liberal Arts & Sciences (Humanities or Social Science)
  • Internship Term: Summer 2027 – 5 weeks, July 19–August 20 (final dates to be confirmed) – 120 hours total
  • Schedule: Monday–Friday. Week 1 (July 19–23): 11 am–3 pm. Weeks 2–5 (July 26–August 20): 8 am–1 pm
  • Compensation: Unpaid. Students should check with their campus career services office about funding available for students in unpaid internships at nonprofit organizations
  • Academic Credit: Eligible for academic credit. This internship totals 120 hours and is structured around the NACE Career Readiness Competencies. Contact your internship or career services office to register
  • Application Deadline: Friday, April 9, 2027

Working with site staff and volunteers, you will:

  • Help coordinate daily Art Camp sessions
  • Set up and prepare materials and spaces for camp activities
  • Lead and help lead artmaking sessions for campers ages 6–11
  • Communicate with your supervisor about daily camp operations
  • Currently enrolled SUNY student studying education, history, art history, fine arts, or a related field
  • Enthusiasm for working with children and helping them explore art and nature
  • Patient, organized, and comfortable leading small groups
  • Available Monday through Friday for the full 5-week camp schedule, including 8 am starts

Individuals from backgrounds that have traditionally been underrepresented in museums are encouraged to apply. 

  • On-site at a historic property with a 19th-century house, studios, a visitor center, and outdoor grounds
  • Standing, walking, bending, and moving art supplies throughout the day, including outdoor activities in summer heat
  • Early-morning schedule (8 am starts for most of the program)
  • Reliable transportation to Catskill, NY, is recommended
  • Because this role involves working with children, a background check may be required as a condition of the internship

Submit the following as ONE single PDF document:

  • Cover letter outlining your interest in the internship
  • Résumé
  • Contact information for two references familiar with your professional or academic experience
  • Unofficial transcript (to verify current SUNY enrollment)

Email your PDF to BOTH:

Subject line: SUNY Internship Application

Apply by: Friday, April 9, 2027

Meg DiStefanoInternships