The gallery internship: When learning costs more than the artwork

This paradox reveals a harsh reality in the art market: the gallery internship, touted as an essential gateway, often functions as a system of free labor where exposure replaces a salary. But beneath this apparent normalization lie practices that range from simple imbalance to outright exploitation.

01When the internship becomes a disguised job

The line between internship and employment is often blurred in galleries. In 2022, the General Directorate of Labor flagged three Parisian galleries for assigning interns tasks that legally required paid employment—without compensating them. One of the most glaring cases involved a Marais gallery that had employed an intern full-time for two years to manage its inventory and collector relations, duties typically handled by a gallery assistant.

The tasks assigned to interns reveal this ambiguity. Logistical work: packing artworks, arranging shipments, managing stock (45% of time, per the Interns’ Collective survey). Administrative work: updating databases, handling contracts, tracking sales (30% of time). Relational work: greeting clients, managing social media, organizing events (20% of time). "Educational" work: research, attending meetings, visiting exhibitions (5% of time).

Galerie Perrotin, which regularly offers unpaid internships, justifies the practice as "immersion in a stimulating professional environment." Yet a former intern told market data platforms that her internship consisted mostly of "updating Excel files and preparing shipments for fairs"—far from the learning opportunities promised in the original posting.

02The real cost of an unpaid internship

Since 2014, French law has required a minimum stipend of €3.90 per hour for internships lasting over two months. Yet many galleries circumvent this rule by offering shorter internships or labeling them as "observation periods." This practice is particularly common in small independent galleries, where 68% of internships remain unpaid, according to a 2023 Artprice study.

For interns, the financial burden of an unpaid internship can be steep. Housing: in Paris, a shared studio averages €800 per month. Transport: a Navigo pass costs €86.40 per month. Food: a reasonable grocery budget runs about €300 per month. Miscellaneous: phone, insurance, outings (€200 per month).

In total, a three-month internship in Paris costs around €4,000—often exceeding students’ budgets, forcing many to juggle multiple jobs to fund their education.

Galerie Kamel Mennour attempted to address this issue by offering an €800 monthly stipend. A rare initiative in the sector, though still insufficient to cover all expenses.

03The galleries that pay: the exception that proves the rule

A handful of galleries have chosen to pay their interns at or above minimum wage. Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, for instance, offers paid internships at €1,200 net per month, while the Fondation Cartier provides a €1,000 monthly stipend.

These galleries justify the practice with several arguments. Attracting top talent: competitive pay helps select more qualified candidates. Boosting productivity: paid interns tend to be more motivated and engaged. Enhancing reputation: transparent compensation policies improve a gallery’s image.

Yet such examples remain rare. A 2023 survey by CIPAC (the Interprofessional Committee for Contemporary Art) found that only 12% of French galleries pay their interns above the legal minimum.

04The internship as a tool of social selection

The unpaid internship system favors candidates from affluent backgrounds who can afford months of free labor. A 2022 study by the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne revealed that 72% of gallery interns in Paris came from families earning over €60,000 annually.

This social selection results in a homogeneous pool of interns. Gender: 70% are women. Geographic origin: 85% are from France or Western Europe. Education: 90% hold degrees in art or art history.

Galerie Marian Goodman, which offers unpaid internships in Paris and New York, has faced criticism for a system that "effectively excludes candidates from modest backgrounds." The gallery dismissed the accusation, arguing that "the internship is an opportunity open to all."

05Alternatives to the traditional internship

In response to these critiques, some galleries are experimenting with new models. Paid internships: as mentioned, a few galleries offer stipends at or above minimum wage. Apprenticeship contracts: some galleries hire apprentices in work-study programs, paid between 43% and 100% of minimum wage depending on age. Mentorship programs: certain galleries offer paid mentorships with experienced professionals. Residency internships: some galleries provide short-term residencies with room and board.

Galerie Templon has launched a "solidarity internship" program in partnership with art schools, offering €800 monthly stipends exclusively to scholarship students.

06How to spot an exploitative internship

To avoid exploitative internships, consider these red flags. Duration: internships over two months must be paid. Tasks: internships should include educational components (research, meetings, exhibition visits). Supervision: internships require guidance from an experienced mentor. Transparency: postings should clearly outline duties, duration, and compensation.

Watch for these warning signs. Repetitive tasks: updating spreadsheets, packing shipments, managing stock. Lack of supervision: no mentor, no feedback. Excessive hours: over 35 hours per week, weekend work. No pay: for internships over two months.

07Toward professionalizing gallery internships?

The debate over paid internships in galleries is far from settled. In 2023, the Interns’ Collective launched a petition demanding universal paid internships in the art sector. The petition, which garnered over 5,000 signatures, was covered by market data platforms and The Art Newspaper.

Some galleries have begun improving internship conditions. Galerie Nathalie Obadia, for example, introduced "accompanied internships," where interns receive dedicated mentorship and personalized training.

Yet change remains slow. A 2024 Artprice survey found that 62% of French galleries still offer unpaid internships—a statistic that underscores how much work remains to reform the sector.

08The gallery internship: a necessary evil?

For many in the field, gallery internships remain a rite of passage. "It’s a necessary step to understand the art market and build a network," says a former Galerie Perrotin intern.

But this view is increasingly contested. "Internships shouldn’t be mandatory—they should be one option among many," argues a former Chantal Crousel intern. "There are other ways to train and network, like artist residencies, mentorship programs, or apprenticeships."

Some galleries are rethinking their internship policies. Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, for instance, now limits internships to three months and pays minimum wage—a model that could inspire others.

For now, the gallery internship remains a contentious issue. Between a valuable learning opportunity and outright exploitation, the line is often thin. One thing is clear: the current system cannot endure. It’s time for galleries to rethink their internship policies and offer fairer working conditions.