Internship Program
Spring 2025
Application Period: October 10 – November 15, 2025
Houston Center for Photography – Internship Program
The Houston Center for Photography seeks creative individuals interested in photography, visual arts, and nonprofit administration for internship opportunities. Offered year-round, internships at HCP provide a platform for undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates to gain practical, hands-on experience in our community engagement, exhibitions, education, and operations departments. HCP’s mission is to promote inquiry about photography and related media through education, exhibitions, publications, fellowship programs, and community collaboration. Our hope is to match each intern with duties that match their interests and learning goals.
For descriptions of each department, please scroll down the page.
Qualifications for an Internship at HCP
- Availability to commit a minimum of 8 hours per week for a 3-month term; a commitment of 15-20 hours per week is preferred
- A passion for photography, visual arts, and/or contemporary culture is essential
- Previous work experience is a plus, but not required, provided the candidate meets strongly all other qualifications
- Pursuing studies in college at the undergraduate or graduate levels, or a recent graduate
- Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, with ability to organize, and manage competing priorities
- Maintain a friendly and approachable style with an emphasis on ensuring positive visitor experiences
- Dedicated and reliable, with a proactive attitude and the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team
- Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment; with require minimal supervision
- Working knowledge of the Google Suite (or Microsoft Suite) is required, with familiarity of the other being a plus
- Knowledge and experience with Adobe Suite (Lightroom, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere) is a strong plus
- Experience with website platforms like WordPress and Squarespace is highly desirable
- A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for occasional errands are preferred, but not required
Benefits
HCP internships offer valuable benefits to support your artistic and professional growth. Interns receive a $300 honorarium upon completion of their internship, along with a complimentary one-year HCP membership that includes access to discounted classes, member-only events, and exhibition opportunities. Interns are also awarded up to $1,000 in scholarships to take two HCP education courses and or workshops within one year. Free access to HCP’s Digital Lab and/or Lighting Studio is included, featuring professional-grade equipment and software—training is available for those new to the lab. Additionally, interns may schedule a personalized 2-hour “Path to Success” consultation focused on academic or artistic planning with an HCP staff member with academic teaching experience, an experienced photographer, a working artist, or an art professional.
Internship Schedule
The internship term is 3 months and requires a firm commitment of a minimum of 8 hours per week. Candidates committing at least 15 hours per week will be prioritized during the selection process. While scheduling is flexible during standard business hours (M–F, 10 am–6 pm), candidates are also asked to be available for one or more special HCP events, which are held evenings and weekends.
- Summer Internships take place June–August. The deadline for applying is March 15th
- Fall Internships take place September–December. The deadline for applying is July 15th
- Spring Internships take place January–May. The deadline for applying is November 15th
Application Requirements
The application must contain a resume, a cover letter, and three references. If you are applying for the Marketing Intern position, there is an option to submit sample work.
As a Community Engagement intern, you will assist with the development and maintenance of HCP’s Community Engagement programs by conducting research in art and museum education, developing educational materials, and assisting with the facilitation of educational programs at HCP and in the community at events or partnering organizations. This position is ideal for someone embarking on a career in Art Education, Museum Education, Arts Administration, and Community Arts.
As an intern, your role may include some or all of the following responsibilities:
- Research potential opportunities for Community Engagement
- Research existing photography-based community education curricula
- Research museum education theories
- Organize and maintain Community Engagement supplies
- Assist with local community fairs and HCP community events
- Develop curricula for various community education programming
- Develop specific learning materials for current and upcoming exhibitions
- Assist Director of Community Engagement with developing guided tour content for current and upcoming exhibitions
- Research potential groups for guided tours
- Lead exhibition tours to school groups
- Assist with designing and distributing promotional materials for various Community Engagement programs
- Assist Community Engagement Manager and Teaching Artists with community programs
- Share the responsibility with other interns and staff of monitoring the gallery during open hours
As a Data & Finance intern, you will support HCP’s financial tracking, reporting, and data analysis efforts. This internship offers practical experience in nonprofit finance, donor analytics, and data management, and is ideal for students pursuing careers in Accounting, Finance, or Nonprofit Administration.
As an intern, your role may include some or all of the following responsibilities:
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Nonprofit Administration or Data Science
- Possesses strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to handle large datasets, reconcile financial records, and interpret findings to draw clear conclusions
- Required proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, financial modeling); familiarity with financial or accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks) and/or CRM/donor databases (e.g., Little Green Light) is a significant plus
- Demonstrated commitment to accuracy and detail in reporting and data management
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively present financial data and analytical findings to non-financial audiences
- Proven ability to be proactive, organized, and reliable while managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines
- Interest in the nonprofit sector and understanding how data and finance support organizational strategy; interest in cultural arts is a plus
As an Education Intern, you will assist with making available to the public HCP’s educational calendar and schedule of courses and workshops, providing information and technical support to students and faculty, preparing educational materials and analysing course enrollment data. This position requires collaborating with the Managing Director of Education, who works occasionally remotely for 1-2 weeks and is ideal for someone embarking on a career in Photography, Arts Education, or Museum Education.
As an intern, your role may include some or all of the following responsibilities:
- Publish new classes to the website
- Create or update educational web pages as needed
- Provide assistance with enrolling in courses
- Provide technical support to on-site and online courses
- Maintain educational data, including students, faculty, courses, and enrollment.
- Draft slideshows, handouts, and flyers for classes as needed.
- Prepare printouts for instructors and students on an ongoing basis
- Help maintain HCP’s Image Archive and use imagery for programmatic purposes.
- Organize student rosters, statistics on courses, class attendance records, and class evaluations
- Support during special events
- Share the responsibility with other interns and staff of monitoring the gallery during open hours
- Assisting the exhibitions department if needed during exhibition change over periods
As Exhibitions Intern, you will assist with the planning and executing of several exhibitions and events featuring celebrated work by well-known artists and cutting-edge photographic projects. This position is ideal for someone embarking on a career in Art History, Studio Art, or Curatorial Studies.
As an intern, your role may include some or all of the following responsibilities:
- Physically prepare for installation and de-installation of exhibitions
- Assist in registering and processing work received and shipped
- Assist with exhibition-related errands; a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for occasional errands are preferred, but not required
- Organize and review artist submissions
- Conduct research on artists in preparation for upcoming exhibitions
- Assist with exhibition materials (press releases, artist statements, and resumes), filing, and database maintenance
- Maintain exhibition supply and print inventories
- Assist with archiving of exhibition material
- Maintain accurate records and databases for exhibitions and artists
- Update and create exhibition pages for the HCP website
- Create press packets and curatorial materials
- Assist with gallery tours for school groups and visitors
- Share the responsibility with other interns and staff of monitoring the gallery during
As a Communications & Marketing intern, you will assist with implementing creative marketing and advertising campaigns online and in print and collaborate with all departments on content. This position is supervised by the Managing Director of Education and requires collaboration with all departments at HCP. This position is ideal for someone embarking on a career in Arts Administration, Communication, Marketing, Public Relations, or Studio Art.
As an intern, your role may include some or all of the following responsibilities:
- Analyze data to allow the department to make informed marketing decisions
- Help manage HCP’s Image Archive and use imagery for marketing purposes
- Create and edit photos and videos
- Create all social media marketing visuals for classes, exhibitions, and events
- Post events, programs and classes on free listing media outlets
- Write engaging copy for press releases, e-newsletters, and social media posts
- Participate in HCP events
- Share the responsibility with other interns and staff of monitoring the gallery during open hours
