Block Student Associates
Block Museum Student Associates play a key role in animating the vision of the museum.
What do Student Associates do?
Block Museum Student Associates (BMSAs) are a cohort of multidisciplinary NU undergraduates who serve as public guides and facilitators in our galleries; peer-to-peer campus ambassadors of the museum; and in-house student advisors for all levels of museum staff and our Board of Advisors. BMSAs learn how to research original works of art and facilitate inquiry-based tours and conversations; meet with Block staff/leadership across departments for shared discussions on how museums work and why they matter; and develop a broad set of museum practice skills and experiences. Each spring, BMSAs work with our Curatorial colleagues to recommend an object for acquisition into the museum's collection.
Who are the Block Student Associates?
Student Associates span the campus, majoring in English, Classics, Anthropology, Economics, Art History, Global Health, Political Science, Environmental Science, Journalism, Legal Studies, Manufacturing and Design Engineering, Social Policy, and more.
Previous Cohorts:
| 2024–2025 | 2023–2024 | 2022–2023 |
| 2021–2022 | 2020–2021 |
Join the Block Museum Student Associate Program
The Block, Northwestern's campus art museum, is accepting applications to join our Student Associate Program in the 2026-2027 school year!
Block Museum Student Associates (BMSAs) are a cohort of multidisciplinary NU undergraduates who serve as public guides and facilitators in our galleries; peer-to-peer campus ambassadors of the museum; and in-house student advisors for all levels of museum staff and our Board of Advisors. BMSAs learn how to research original works of art and facilitate inquiry-based tours and conversations; meet with Block staff/leadership across departments for shared discussions on how museums work and why they matter; and develop a broad set of museum practice skills and experiences. Each spring, BMSAs work with our Curatorial colleagues to recommend an object for acquisition into the museum's collection.
This is a paid position ($16/hr, 6-10 hours per week) for the academic year. Work-study eligible and encouraged. No previous art, art history, or museum experience required; open to all disciplines!
If you are...
- Interested in art/museums and sharing this interest with others
- Excited about facilitating interactions with the public
- Dedicated, reliable, punctual, and responsive to communication
- Able to commit to at least one year of work
- Eager to join a community of passionate students
we'd love to invite you to apply!
You are welcome to apply for both the Block Museum Student Associates Program and the Undergraduate Curatorial Internship, but ultimately can only be selected for one.
Applications due on Sat. April 18, 2026 11:59PM CT
Questions? E-mail: isabella.ko@northwestern.edu
Student Stories
Read stories from our blog about the passion, research and leadership from the student team that shapes The Block.