The internship provides an exciting opportunity for students and young professionals to spend one month in Venice with hands-on experience in overseeing the daily operations of the National Pavilion UAE at the International Art and Architecture exhibitions at La Biennale di Venezia.

The program is open to Emiratis and long-term residents of the UAE aged 21 and above, with an interest or background in arts, architecture, diplomacy, international relations or representing the UAE on a significant global platform. To date, the National Pavilion UAE has engaged with over 240 interns, with many pursuing careers in the arts industries post their internship experience at La Biennale di Venezia.

The internship is supported by an educational training program that kicks off with in-depth training in the UAE in partnership with top cultural institutions, aimed at enabling the interns to engage fluently with the content of the exhibition in Venice. To foster cultural exchange and enhance the interns’ local experience in Venice, Italian interns selected from the prestigious Ca’Foscari University and IUAV in Venice work side-by-side with their UAE counterparts at the pavilion.

The next Venice Internship will take place from 10 May to 23 November 2025 for the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia.

The Program

The selected interns will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in different aspects of the Exhibition as both a cultural experience and a career platform. This starts with a training program in the UAE ahead of the 1-month placement at the National Pavilion UAE in Venice. This will comprise of a series of workshops and activities in the UAE in lead up to their time in Venice such as artist talks, visitor facilitation and protocol workshops, educational studio visits and guided cultural tours specifically planned for the interns to facilitate the practice, dialogue and study of their respective professional skills.

The program is a learning experience for all who take part, allowing them to gain practical experience of exhibition management experiences. Activities include:

Guest Services

Managing the pavilion during opening hours to the public, supporting and assisting visitors and journalists with press requirements, guided tours — all as representatives of the UAE.

Exhibition Management

Ensuring the pavilion space is always neat and tidy, equipment is in perfect working order, condition reports, filing exhibition inventory, and collateral are replenished and in good condition.

Communications Support

Work with fellow interns to manage and maintain systems to document visitor feedback as well as contribute with the documentation of the internship experience for social media use. They have the opportunity to share this social media documentation, which is non-compulsory, but an opportunity to develop this skill set in documentation.

Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants should be:

• Emirati or UAE Residents that have resided in the UAE consecutively for more than 6 years.
• 21 years old or above at the time of the internship period.
• Be a graduate or student of Bachelor of Arts, Architecture and/or other related majors such as; Communications, Design, Politics, International Affairs..
• Must be fluent English.
• Available to travel for up to 40 days (with written consent from parents).
• Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to travel. Preference given to COVID Vaccines approved in the EU.
• Available to attend mandatory training sessions in the UAE prior to internship in Venice. Please note that failure to participate in training will result in termination from the program.

Apply Now!

nationalpavilionuae.org