Artslife

Artslife is a paid summer internship for 10 rising sophomores and juniors in New York City public and charter high schools. The program integrates art with leadership development, museum studies, and community engagement.

Interns explore careers across the museum and collaborate on projects with staff and arts professionals. The six-week program begins with team building, followed by hands-on experience, and behind-the-scenes exposure to museum work.

Artslife interns:

• Explore careers in the arts 
• Build career readiness skills
• Create artwork with local and visiting artists 
• Design and lead peer-to-peer tours 
• Strengthen presentation, communication, and public speaking skills 
• Visit cultural institutions across New York City 
• Earn $17/hour

The application portal for the Artslife summer 2026 internship is now closed. Have questions? Email us at education@madmuseum.org

RECESS Intensive Program

RECESS is a paid intensive internship program teens 13 to 18 to learn about art and art history with other NYC teens, develop and lead peer-to-peer tours, and learn how museums work. The internship takes place during NYC public schools’ winter and spring breaks.

Interns:

• Go behind the scenes to develop a tour of a MAD exhibition.
• Develop a youth-friendly tour of a MAD exhibition..
• Conduct peer-to-peer tours at MAD.

Artslab

Created by MAD’s Teen Council members, Artslab connects participants in MAD’s Artist Studios residency program with a group of New York City teens. Admission is free and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Have questions? Email us at education@madmuseum.org.

Celebrate the excitement of the World Cup through art and creativity!  On Jul 17, teens will join artist Katrina Majkut for a hands-on workshop inspired by her Fair Play series. Reimagining sports trading cards as inclusive celebrations of people and stories, Majkut’s work invites participants to reflect on what connects communities via their love of global play and beyond.

Using drawing, collage, and decorative materials, teens will design their own trading cards highlighting their strengths, passions, and personal stories. Inspired by teamwork, perseverance, and global connection, participants will create artworks that celebrate themselves and their communities.

Free for high school students (ages 13–18) with a valid school ID. Space is limited, and registration is required in advance. 

Teen Council

MAD's Teen Council is comprised of Artslife and Recess Intensive alumni who share a common interest in art, design, and community engagement. The Teen Council plans events for teens, including Artslab workshops.