Art and Design Intern

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Department of Planning and Development works in collaboration with communities to promote, plan, preserve, and develop successful neighborhoods for all. Reaching these goals requires city agencies to work together with residents, businesses, developers, advocates, funders, and each other. Planning and Development has a team of agencies that do just that. Our agencies include:  

Philadelphia Art Commission  

Philadelphia City Planning Commission  

Division of Development Services  

Division of Housing and Community Development  

Philadelphia Historical Commission  

Zoning Board of Adjustment  

We also partner with the PHDC 

Position Summary 

The Department of Planning and Development’s Art & Design Unit is in search of a Summer 2026 Intern.  

The intern will work directly with Sydney Conaway on fieldwork and deciphering data, and inventory report development relating to Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation’s (PHDC) Percent for Art program. There will be opportunities for an intern to contribute to a variety of elements related to the ongoing research and program development of PHDC’s Percent for Art program. This position is a temporary, part-time internship. Intern can expect to work on the following: 
 
Fieldwork: Assisting with surveying Artwork that will be conducted digitally in the field. We will record location, condition, materiality, and general site analysis of work produced under the Percent for Art program (approximately 350 pieces).  
 
In-Office Work: Intern will investigate and confirm ownership of Artworks with guidance of staff and assist with other in-office tasks related to the Survey. A field trip to City Archives and the Public Library will be necessary for understanding ownership and timelines of Artworks produced. This will provide the intern with exposure to the archiving process at the City. Additional activities include assisting in compiling and sorting through survey data with Sydney Conaway and collaborating with other Planning Department teams such as GIS. This work will contribute to a new web app that will display the Percent for Art Collection on a public interface. This application will show exact locations of artworks in addition to being able to sort by year, neighborhood, medium, whether the piece is indoors or outdoors, etc.  
 
Importantly, the culmination of this work will be paramount for both the Percent for Art program but also the broader arts and cultural community of Philadelphia. This research will contribute to the City’s understanding of its own Cultural Resources while building relationships and information to share with the broader Arts and Planning communities.  

The maximum number of hours allocated for this role is a maximum of 20 hours per week. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and references.  

Essential Functions 

The essential functions for this internship may include: 

• Data Collection 

• Data Interpretation 

• Graphic Representation (Adobe Suite) 

• Research and Analysis  

• Writing  

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

The intern should have a working background of public art, conservation, and general understanding of Urban Planning. Ability to use adobe suite, write proficiently, and the ability to perform outdoor research and analysis in the summer months. Any demonstrated site or art surveying experience is a plus.  

Education:  

Master’s level student with at least one year of graduate level courses in Art, Conservation, and/or Urban Planning/Design. Majors aligned with this position include Urban Planning/Design, Public Art, Fine Art, Historical Preservation, Conversation Studies, Curatorial Studies, and Landscape Architecture.  

Experience: 

The Intern must possess the ability to work independently and communicate research both verbally and in writing. 

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and references.

Hourly Rate: $16.28 

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx