The Best Museums for Employment

All of the museums mentioned below should be on your bucket list. If you get the opportunity to gain employment at any of them, you should consider yourself very lucky as most people only ever dream of visiting such a beautiful place!

British Museum, London

The British Museum offers everything you could ever want from a museum in a beautiful setting. Once you step foot inside the exquisite building, all you need to do is look up, and you’ll find yourself in awe of the stunning wire construction of the roof. That’s before you even start on the exhibitions. Here, you’ll find gorgeous art exhibits, educational stories of history and space to learn of all the weird and wonderful things of the world, including Tantra.

 Working at the British Museum is a rewarding experience. Whether your role is to look after the collections, design the museum displays, or provide excellent customer service to all that walk through the doors, you can be sure that you will find a role to suit your expertise. They also offer some great staff benefits, including complimentary exhibition tickets, free entry at other national museums, discounts at the restaurant, and more. There are even voluntary roles if paid employment isn’t an option for you (for example, if you are simply on holiday in London and don’t want to apply for a working visa).

The building is awe-inspiring, the exhibitions are carefully curated to spark interest in everyone, and the staff benefits are fantastic. What more could you ask for in a workplace environment?!

Guggenheim Museum, New York

The Guggenheim Museum is sure to catch the eye of anyone who walks past. The architectural aspect alone is enough to draw you in. The building is so beautifully shaped; it captures the attention of all. There are several Guggenheim Museums worldwide; however, New York is arguably the most beautiful setting for anyone wanting to visit or work here. There are gorgeous exhibitions of contemporary and modern art, daily classes for all ages and film screenings and performances. If learning about the displays is more your thing, you can find daily tours of the museum, led by experienced educators who can answer all your burning questions.

Careers at the Guggenheim Museum are widely categorised. There are roles available for archivists, digital media gurus, curators, educators, and everything in between. The Museum even offers internships which is a great way to gain experience without having to organise a working holiday visa. Competition for available internships is sometimes fierce, so be sure to jump on the opportunities as early as possible!

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

The National Gallery of Art offers some beautiful exhibitions and highlights stunning artworks by international artists. While the Gallery has been closed recently, it is worth checking out when it is safe to reopen. As well as the gorgeous exhibition display plinths topped with intricate pieces, you will also find a striking sculpture garden, full of incredible sculptures, including wire furniture that is sure to take your breath away!

The National Gallery of Art offers paid internships, which is incredible for those wanting to gain invaluable experience but can’t afford to take time off work. This way, you get the best of both worlds! By their very nature, internships allow you to get hands-on with the work and gain so many new skills and knowledge. Paid internships mean you get paid for your time as well. However, this does mean that you may need to apply for a working visa prior to applying for such a position.

The Louvre, Paris

Perhaps the most internationally recognised museum in the world, The Louvre in Paris is striking from the moment you set eyes on it. With its unique pyramid shape, you will find glass and wire, similar in appearance to that of galvanised steel mesh panels, protruding from the ground in a very deliberate setting. The Louvre received 9.6 million visitors in 2019 alone, making it the most visited museum in the world! The Louvre has a rich history, as it first opened in 1793, and has therefore been around for centuries. You’re sure to find a great story when you visit the Louvre.

Working at the Louvre is of great competition, but also great reward! Around 60 curators are working at the museum, most of whom help to organise the displays and help with administration and the smooth running of the museum. There are also educators working at the Louvre, so if you have a background in teaching (specifically art and history), you may find a position here to suit you. While the Louvre may not offer internships (you would need to contact them directly if this is something you were interested in), the building itself offers such incredible interior design style that even just visiting this beautiful location is worthwhile!

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

You read that right – there is an entire museum in Amsterdam dedicated to the life and works of Vincent Van Gogh. And rightly so, as there is so much to dissect about his life from early childhood to his late years. Many artworks have many interpretations surrounding what they mean and how they make individuals feel upon viewing them. If you find the story of Van Gogh fascinating, this is a must-visit destination for any Amsterdam traveller. Even if you don’t know much about his story before visiting, you are sure to find the museum interesting as you learn all about the life, works and mental breakdowns of Van Gogh.

With an entire museum dedicated to the artist, you can be sure that the décor and design of the building itself highlight the artworks of Van Gogh, allowing you to immerse yourself in art from the moment you step through the door. Working at the museum is best suited to a particular type of person – those who are fascinated and intrigued by Van Gogh’s life. If this is you, there are many roles available within the museum: visitor services host, finance assistant, account manager and even security officers, the Van Gogh museum employs them all!