Learning and Engagement Intern

Job Summary:

The Learning and Engagement department intern for the Spring 2026 cohort for the Ipu Kāʻeo Internship program will focus on Visitor Research. The goal for this program is to offer opportunities for local talent to obtain valuable work experience within Hawai’i.

Under the direction of the Associate Director of Learning and Engagement, the intern is responsible for designing and conducting a study of how HoMA visitors move through the exhibition Toshiko Takaezu:
Worlds Within. This process includes conversing with curators and educators to understand key concerns, developing research questions, designing a study, collecting and interpreting data, and creating a list of recommendations for how these learnings can be applied to future exhibitions. Visitor research plays a key role in the larger field of museum interpretation and allows for an informed, visitor-centered approach to building exhibition experiences.

This is a 9-week position from March 16, 2026 to May 15,2026

The Honolulu Museum of Art:

Opened in 1927, the Honolulu Museum of Art is a home for art and education created for the benefit of the entire community. Founder Anna Rice Cooke envisioned a museum that would bring people together through the power of art and “the deep intuitions that are common to all.” The museum was conceived of as a place of meaningful exchange and dialogue, celebrating the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of Hawai‘i’s multi-ethnic population.

From this founding intention grew the museum of today, with a world-class encyclopedic collection of more than 55,000 works of art, representing a stunning breadth of places and eras, from all corners of the globe and from the ancient past to the present day.

To learn more about HoMA, please visitour website.

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidate for a bachelor’s degree in an arts and culture, social sciences, or education related field.
• Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods, including observation, interviews and surveys
• Passion for creating accessible learning environments in arts and culture institutions
• Honesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic supported by commitment, enthusiasm, and follow-through.
• Ability to work within and support a diverse community of visitors, artists, and employees.

Desired Qualifications

• Recipient of or in final year of a degree in a related field, such as Education, Art History, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, or related field.
• Coursework or applicable experience in museum studies, progressive pedagogy, qualitative and quantitative research, learning assessment, or informal education settings.
• Commitment to a visitor-centered or learner-centered approach to arts and culture
• Interest in museums, arts and culture, and nonprofit organizations.
• Understanding of and dedication to advancing the Honolulu Museum of Art’s identity, vision, and values.

Learning and Engagement Intern – Project Schedule

Below is a weekly timeline with prospected timeline of project’s progress:

• Week 1:
  
  Orientation Week – Introduction to assigned department, tasks, and project
• Week 2:
  
  Meet with museum staff to identify key concerns and questions. Become familiar with museum visitor studies best practices. Museum Closed – Monday, March 23rd in observance of Prince Kuhio Day.
• Week 3:
  
  Draft purpose statement, scope, and preliminary research questions. All Staff Meeting – April 1st , 8:30am-9:30am. Check In #1
• Week 4:
  
  Review and finalize purpose statement, scope, and research questions, draft methodology and develop data collection tools and protocols
• Week 5:
  
  Begin data collection. Check In #2 – Presentation Outline Assigned. Pau Hana Q&A – April 17th at 5pm
• Week 6:
  
  Aloha Coffee – April 24th 9am-10am. Presentation Practice – April 24th at 10:30am-12pm
• Week 8:
  
  Internship Presentation Showcase – Wednesday, May 6th at 8:30am
• Week 9:
  
  Celebration Lunch. Exit Interview

Interns must be available for the following days in participation for the Spring 2026 cohort:

• HoMA Orientation Week - March 16th to March 20th
• Celebration Lunch & Exit Interview – Friday, May 15th

Compensation

The Honolulu Museum of Art is committed to practicing salary transparency. The salary for this…