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2026 Getty Marrow Media Arts Intern

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

F/T Non-exempt Internship

UNIT

Frank H. Watase Media Arts Center

APPLICATION DEADLINE

04/16/2026

OPEN DATE

03/13/2026

Position Summary:

The Getty Marrow Media Arts Intern will work in the Frank H. Watase Media Arts Center (MAC), which is dedicated to furthering JANM’s mission through unique documentaries, innovative exhibition components, and video life histories that preserve and share the Japanese American experience. They will participate in the creation of media components for the museum’s upcoming films & exhibitions, educational/public programs, and website, social media, and YouTube channel. In addition, they will have the opportunity to develop and produce their own Capstone Project in line with JANM’s mission. They will receive hands-on experience and training in preproduction development, cameras, sound, lighting, livestreaming, editing software, motion graphics, and archival media formats. 

Intern Stipend: $7,400 gross stipend for Full-Time (40 hours/week),10 consecutive weeks. 

Dates of Internship: 10 consecutive weeks, in-person, from June 15 – August 21, 2026. Full-Time (40 hours a week). Monday–Friday schedule. Require occasional evening & weekend hours. 

 

See below for more details and criteria.

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The mission of the Japanese American National Museum it to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience. The Japanese American National Museum is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  1. The Media Arts Intern will be focused on providing support (conducting research and interviews, scouting and shooting B-roll footage, transcription, logging clips, digitization of archival materials, and editing), for three upcoming exhibitions media components, all of which will significantly contribute to the final pieces.
    1. In the Future we Call Now: Realities of Racism, Dreams of Democracy, JANM’s upcoming redesigned permanent exhibition, looking at Japanese American history from immigration to today and will feature many new media components, including installation pieces tied to specific artifacts, experimental pieces exploring the future of community, newly restored archival home movies, and short documentaries focused on cross generational stories.
    2. Eating Together: Food in Japanese America / Little Tokyo Legacy Businesses: This exhibition will look at Japanese American’s long history with food, in California especially. Possible media components will dive into prewar agriculture, fishing, food during wartime incarceration, and their connections to the farms, restaurants, and traditions of today. We will also document longtime Little Tokyo restaurants and examine the impact of gentrification.
    3. Ireicho National Tour: The Intern may have the opportunity to attend the Tule Lake Pilgrimage to film contemporary footage of where the camp existed and collect site-specific stories from those stamping the Ireicho book of names that memorializes everyone of Japanese descent incarcerated during WWII.
  2. Complete and present Capstone project: develop and produce a short film that aligns with JANM’s mission.
  3. Other duties including, but are not limited to: livestreaming public programs, documenting community events, helping film interviews, editing videos for use on JANM’s social media. Attends regular department meetings and weekly one-on-one meetings with sueprvisor.
  4. Film JANM’s Natsumatsuri Family Festival (Saturday in August).

This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Incumbent will perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions outlined above. 

 

Criteria for Intern Candidates:

The internship opportunities are intended for students from backgrounds underrepresented in museums and the visual arts professions, eligible candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply for consideration. Candidates are sought from all areas of undergraduate study at any higher education institution and are not required to have demonstrated a previous commitment to the visual arts. In addition, applicants must meet the following 3 eligibility criteria: 

  1. Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in a bachelor’s or associate degree program and have completed at least one semester or 2 quarters of college by June 2026. Students who graduated the semester or quarter immediately before the internship begins are also eligible.
  2. Attend college in or be a permanent resident of Los Angeles County.
  3. Be a US citizen or permanent resident eligible to be legally employed in the US. Students with DACA status valid through the internship period are also eligible.

Additionally, please note that:

  • Students who have previously served as Getty Marrow Undergraduate Interns at the Japanese American National Museum are not eligible for consideration. 
  • Students enrolled in a second BA or BS or higher degree program are not eligible. 
  • Finally, staff members, and relatives of staff or board members are not eligible.

Education

High School Diploma. Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in a bachelor’s or associate degree program, and have completed at least one semester or two quarters of college by June 2026.

Must attend college in or be a permanent resident of Los Angeles County.

Experience/Knowledge

Interest in media arts work preferred. Previous experience in digital filming, video editing (using Final Cut Pro X and/or Premier Pro), and operating video cameras is strongly recommended. Competency in digitization/digital asset management, including scanning, editing photos in Photoshop is desired. Prior work with transcription beneficial. Strong research and written communication skills are critical. Willingness to learn and apply new skills. Strong proofreading skills. Professional phone manner is essential. Ability to discern how to prioritize, plan, and manage tasks according to firm deadlines, clearly communicate delays, and respond to requests in a timely manner is required. Being able to work well in a team as well as working independently is imperative. Demonstrated commitment and flexibility in order to ensure a high level of quality service. Ability to adjust and provide appropriate action when unanticipated need arises. Knowledge of Japanese American history and culture a plus.

Communication

Has excellent communication and negotiation skills. Must be able to provide courteous and effective service to co-workers, volunteers, and the general public. Is able to read, write, and comprehend routine reports and correspondence, including safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedural manuals. Is able to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group format and large group format.  

Computer

Is Computer literate, Internet savvy, and experienced with MS Office and Google Suite is required. Knowledge of Apple Macintosh systems and software (Final Cut Pro X and/or Premiere Pro )and experience with video cameras is strongly recommended. Experienced using scanners, photocopiers, and printers required. Familiarity with Photoshop is beneficial. Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.

Math

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning

Ability to act on own initiative, making consistently sound decisions. Must be able to comply with institutional policies and procedures. Ability to perform effectively under conditions of fluctuating workload. Ability to make practical decisions and solve problems, adapt to change and communicate effectively. Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form and articulate challenges and request support where needed. Reliable follow-through on assigned projects in a complete, well conceived, and timely manner. 

Physical

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The Intern’s workspace will be in the Media Arts Department, in the same office as the primary supervisor and department coworkers. The Intern will also work outside of the office for location film shoots and other various project aspects. They will have a computer with access to the JANM network, internet, scanner, and printer. Additionally, they will have access to all of the media arts equipment, including: state-of-the-art camera equipment, sound/lighting equipment, and video editing software.

 

The Getty Marrow Media Arts Internship at the Japanese American National Museum is a Temporary, Full-Time Internship position from June 15 to August 21, 2026. Please note, however, that this is an at-will position, meaning that your employment may be terminated at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause. There is, in other words, no guarantee that you will be employed until any date in the future, Including August 21, 2026.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To: Evan Kodani, Manager of MAC and Tad Nakamura, Director of MAC

Positions Supervised: None

Salary Range

$7,400 gross stipend for Full-Time (40 hours/week), 10 consecutive weeks