The Gardner Ambassadors program is an innovative initiative offering 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 workforce for art museums of the future.
About the Program
Each Gardner Ambassador interns part-time in a host department during either the academic year or the summer. Gardner Ambassadors 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 engage with the collection.
In addition, the program includes a weekly seminar with the Ambassador cohort, during which Ambassadors dig into Isabella Stewart Gardner’s story and collection, 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.
This is my first time ever being in a space like this. It’s my first internship ever. I’m learning and digesting new things every day, and I’m gaining so many skills and knowledge about things that I’ve never had before… Being a woman of color and being able to be in this kind of space is very empowering and uplifting.
More Information and How to Apply
Positions are currently offered exclusively to students at Bunker Hill Community College and UMass Boston, College of Liberal Arts. Please contact ambassadors@isgm.org for more information.
The Gardner Ambassadors Program is supported in part by the Wagner Foundation, Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, the Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Tammy Dowley-Blackman Group LLC, Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, and the Marriott Daughters Foundation. The Museum receives operating support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which is supported by the state of Massachusetts.
