Gardner Ambassadors

The Gardner Ambassadors program is an innovative new initiative that offers historically underrepresented students in the field, in particular low income students, students of color, and first-generation students, entry points into museum professions. The program has a dual focus on departmental training and visitor experience, with the goal of building a visitor-centered, diverse workforce for art museums of the future.

Each Gardner Ambassador interns part-time in a host department during the Academic Year or Summer. As part of the team, they contribute to collaborative and independent projects aimed at giving them perspective on museum careers, growing their professional skills, and building their networks. Gardner Ambassadors also spend a portion of their time in the Museum's galleries, where they assist visitors and provide them with opportunities for engagement with the collection. 

In addition, each week of the program includes a seminar session with their cohort, where Ambassadors dig into Isabella Stewart Gardner’s story and collection objects, participate in career discussions with Museum staff, and receive training for entering the workforce after graduation. 

While our primary commitment is providing training and mentorship to students in a museum environment, the program's curriculum is designed to build each Ambassador's overall workforce skills, preparing them to enter any professional field after graduation.

Applications for the academic year Gardner Ambassadors are accepted in October. Applications for the summer season of the Gardner Ambassadors program are accepted each February. Positions are currently offered exclusively to students at Bunker Hill Community College and the University of Massachusetts Boston, College of Liberal Arts. Please contact ambassadors@isgm.org for more information.