Visitor Engagement Intern

A Cover Letter is required for this application. 

Job Summary:

The Visitor Engagement Intern is one of the intern positions in the Fall 2026 Ipu Kāʻeo Internship program. The goal for this program is to offer opportunities for local talent to obtain valuable work experience within Hawai’i. Under the direction of the Head of Visitor Engagement, the intern will develop audience archetypes for the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) using ticketing data, surveys, observation, and cross-departmental insights.

Through collaboration with staff across visitor-facing departments, the intern will analyze visitor behaviors, motivations, and needs to create a practical tool that supports decision-making and improves the visitor experience. This tool is designed to be adaptable over time as audience data and trends evolve.

The intern will also collaborate with the Communications Intern to connect onsite and digital experiences, contributing to a more holistic understanding of the visitor journey.

This role is ideal for students interested in visitor experience, hospitality, tourism, marketing, or communications.

This is a 9-week position from September 16th to November 13, 2026.

The Honolulu Museum of Art:

Opened in 1927, the Honolulu Museum of Art is a home for art and education created for the benefit of the entire community. Founder Anna Rice Cooke envisioned a museum that would bring people together through the power of art and “the deep intuitions that are common to all.” The museum was conceived of as a place of meaningful exchange and dialogue, celebrating the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of Hawai‘i’s multi-ethnic population. From this founding intention grew the museum of today, with a world-class encyclopedic collection of more than 55,000 works of art, representing a stunning breadth of places and eras, from all corners of the globe and from the ancient past to the present day.

To learn more about HoMA, please visit our website.

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidate for a bachelor’s degree in arts and culture, social sciences, education, hospitality, tourism, marketing, communications, or a related field Current enrollment or recent completion of a degree in arts and culture, social sciences, education, hospitality, tourism, marketing, communications or related field.

• Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods, including observation, interviews, and surveys

• Interest in visitor experience, customer service, or audience engagement

• Honesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic supported by commitment, enthusiasm, and follow-through

• Ability to work within and support a diverse community of visitors, artists, and employees

Desired Qualifications

• Recipient of or in final year of a degree in a related field such as Education, Art History, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Hospitality, Travel Industry Management, Marketing, Communications, or related field

• Coursework or experience in museum studies, visitor research, hospitality operations, audience development, data analysis, or informal learning environments

• Interest in visitor experience design, service strategy, or communications

• Commitment to a visitor-centered approach to arts and culture

• Interest in museums, arts and culture, and nonprofit organizations

Learning Outcomes:

• Analyze survey, ticketing, and observational data

• Conduct visitor research using surveys and observation

• Develop audience archetypes based on insights

• Map the visitor journey across onsite and digital touchpoints

• Apply a visitor-centered approach to experience design

• Collaborate with cross-functional, visitor-facing teams

• Translate insights into actionable recommendations

• Present findings clearly to internal stakeholders

Project Schedule

Below is a weekly timeline with prospected timeline of project’s progress. Tasks are subject to change:

Week 1

Orientation Week – Introduction to Visitor Engagement, project scope, and systems

• Overview of ticketing and survey tools

• Introductory meetings with key staff (Sales, Ticketing, Front Desk)

• Begin frontline observation

Week 2

• Review ticketing and survey data

• Identify key questions, gaps, and opportunities

• Begin initial audience segmentation

Week 3

• Conduct structured observation at the front desk and in galleries

• Launch intercept survey

• Meet with Security, Events, and Membership staff

Check In #1

Week 4

• Meet with Café, Shop, and Learning & Engagement teams to understand visitor patterns and behaviors across amenities and spaces

• Continue data collection and synthesis

Week 5

• Observe tours and programs with Learning & Engagement staff

• Meet with Art School staff to understand program audiences

• Identify engagement and learning patterns

Check In #2 – Presentation Outline Assigned

Week 6

• Synthesize insights across all departments

• Map the full visitor journey from entry to exit across touchpoints

• Begin outlining key audience segments

Week 7

• Develop draft audience archetypes

• Define motivations, behaviors, needs, and pain points

Check In #3

Week 8

Internship Presentation Showcase

Week 9

Celebration Lunch

Exit Interview

Ipu Kāʻeo Internship Program – Required Attendance

Interns must be available for the following days in participation for the Fall 2026 cohort:

• HoMA Orientation Week – September 16th to September 18th

• Internship Presentation Showcase Practice –Friday, October 23rd

• Internship Presentation Showcase – Wednesday, November 4th

o To complete the program, an additional component for the intern is the creation and presentation of a 3–5-minute slideshow.

• Celebration Lunch & Exit Interview – Friday, November 13th

Compensation

The Honolulu Museum of Art is committed to practicing salary transparency. The salary for this position is $20.00 per hour with a minimum of 10 hours per week, and a maximum of 19 hours per week.

This opportunity includes a benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Shop, Museum Café, and Art School discounts.

• Onsite parking provided.

Working Conditions and Atmosphere:

Work takes place in an office environment. General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with flexible scheduling as appropriate. For part time work, please plan to be on-site for a minimum of 4 hours per shift.

Ability to operate general office equipment including computers, copiers, printers, etc. Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, up to 40 pounds of general office material or equipment.

The employee must be able to fulfill all Essential Duties with or without a reasonable accommodation. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned, at any time with or without notice.

EEOC Statement:

HoMA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. HoMA recruits, hires, trains, promotes, compensates, and administers all 

personnel actions and benefit programs without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, including pregnancy and gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, reproductive health decisions, marital status, arrest and court record (except as legally applicable), citizenship, credit history, military and veteran service, victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse victim status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibilities and essential functions of this position but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work duties and requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

HoMA maintains a policy of nondiscrimination in all employment practices and decisions, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals. This applies to both HoMA employees and applicants for employment with the Museum. Any form of harassment of any employee because of any protected status is prohibited.

HoMA welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life, and this is reflected in our diverse community of employees. We encourage applications from candidates across a wide variety of backgrounds, including, but not limited to, people of all races and ethnicities, people with disabilities, women, veterans, and all members of the LGBTQ community.