Summer 2026 Mural Arts Internship Program

About the Internship
Mural Arts Philadelphia invites emerging creatives, organizers, and cultural workers to apply for its 2026 Summer Internship Program, a hands-on, paid opportunity to work alongside professional muralists, educators, and community partners on a real public art project.

This internship is designed for people who are curious about public art, social practice, and community-engaged work, whether you identify as an artist, designer, documentarian, organizer, or future arts administrator. Interns will collaborate on the full mural process: from early planning and community engagement through painting, documentation, and reflection.

No prior mural experience is required. What matters most is your interest in learning, showing up, and contributing meaningfully to a collaborative project rooted in Philadelphia communities.

What You’ll Do

Interns will:

• Collaborate with a professional muralist team on a public art project
• Support community engagement activities connected to the mural
• Learn foundational mural-making techniques and on-site safety practices
• Assist with documentation, reflection, and storytelling around the project
• Work as part of a small, diverse cohort in a collaborative environment

This is a physically active, outdoor role that involves standing, lifting light materials, and working on-site. Reasonable accommodations are available.

What You’ll Learn

This internship is designed as a learning experience for people exploring careers at the intersection of art, community, and social impact. Interns will gain:

• Hands-on experience in the full lifecycle of a public mural project
• Exposure to community-engaged art practices and ethical collaboration
• Foundational mural-making and on-site safety skills
• Experience working as part of a professional creative team
• Insight into career pathways in public art, nonprofit work, education, and community-based practice

What You’ll Gain?

Interns will leave with real project experience, stronger collaborative skills, and a clearer understanding of how art operates in public and community-centered contexts. While this internship does not guarantee future employment, it is designed to support your longer-term growth. Former interns often go on to pursue:

• Advanced study in art, design, social work, or related fields
• Careers in nonprofit arts, education, community organizing, or cultural work
• Continued involvement in public art or community-based creative projects
• The experience, skills, and professional references gained through this program are intended to help interns take their next step with greater clarity and confidence.

What We’re Looking For

Because there are only 10 spots, we are looking for applicants who can clearly explain:

1. Why this internship matters to them right now
2. How it connects to their personal, creative, or career goals
3. What they hope to learn from working on a community-based public art project

We value curiosity, reliability, collaboration, and respect for community knowledge just as much as artistic skill.

Who Should Apply

We strongly encourage applications from students and emerging professionals studying or exploring:

• Community-Engaged Art / Art for Social Change
• Studio Art & Fine Arts
• Graphic Design & Digital Media
• Film, Photography, & Media Arts
• Art History & Art Education
• Arts Management or Arts Administration
• Nonprofit Management / Administration
• Social Work, Sociology, or related fields

You do not need to be enrolled in a degree program, and you do not need formal art training. We welcome applicants who bring practical experience, such as:

• Community projects, volunteer work, or mutual aid
• Personal creative practice
• Organizing, teaching, mentoring, or facilitation
• Documentation, storytelling, or digital media work
• Lived experience that shapes how you engage with communities

Compensation & Schedule

$16.82 per hour

25 hours per week
July 6 – August 14, 2026
In-person, Philadelphia-based work

How to Apply
Please submit:

A brief statement of interest explaining why this internship is important to you (career goals, learning goals, or lived experience are all welcome).

We know that creativity and community work show up in many forms—not just finished artwork. Please add links to your work if you can. If not, please upload one (1) PDF or DOC with up to eight (8) images or examples of work that reflect your interests, experience, or way of working.

This can include:

• Artwork or design projects (finished or in progress)
• Photos documenting community projects, events, or workshops
• Film, photography, or media samples
• Writing excerpts, lesson plans, or research projects
• Flyers, social media content, or outreach materials
• Process documentation or collaborative work

If you’ve participated in a mural or project led by another artist, please note your role in the description.

If you don’t have traditional portfolio materials, that’s okay—process, participation, and lived experience count.

APPLY HERE

Our Commitment to Equity

Mural Arts Philadelphia is committed to fostering a workplace and learning environment that reflects the diversity of the city we serve. We strongly encourage applications from people of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, immigration statuses, and socioeconomic backgrounds.