Fun Facts

Smithsonian American Art Museum Lunder Conservation Center Intern Sarah Gowen explains the condition of a painting.

The internship program at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) is one of the oldest, if not in the modern sense the oldest, internship programs at the Smithsonian. It began in 1968 and has been in continuous operation for 45 years.

Since it’s inception, SAAM’s Internship Program has hosted and trained approximately 1200 students.

At any given time, approximately 10-15 percent of the American Art staff are former interns. 105 former interns have served as American Art employees in addition to many serving in other Smithsonian units or the National Gallery of Art.

SAAM hosts an alumni reunion reception for its former Interns (and Fellows) every year at the College Art Association’s annual meeting.

4 marriages have resulted among former SAAM interns.

The program now hosts “second generation” students as interns: children of individuals who were among the first groups of interns at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

You can find out more about the Smithsonian American Art Museum internship program here.