Meet Our Spring 2026 interns
People & Community
Meet our spring 2026 interns, who have just finished up their internships at the Phillips. Thank you, Julia, Roxanne, Brooke, and Annelise!
Julia Schettenhelm (she/her) is a first-year graduate student in The George Washington University’s Museum Studies program with a focus on Exhibitions and Visitor Experience. I received my BA in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Michigan. As the Advancement Intern, I supported the work of the department under the guidance of Miranda Burr, Director of Corporate Affairs. Through weekly meetings and conversations with the whole team, I have developed a greater understanding of how Advancement connects to all other departments and initiatives at the museum. My main goal for the semester was to draft a funding proposal for a project, which involved multiple drafts. As Miranda and I went through the process, I learned more about concise, professional writing for a corporate audience and donors as a whole. I also assisted in doing prospective donor research, sending out mailers to members and high-level donors, and communicating with donors ahead of the Annual Gala. I also had the opportunity to work the Gala on my last day! As a result of this internship, I am now interested in pursuing advancement work after graduation. I would like to thank the Advancement team for their mentorship, generosity, and for being so welcoming this semester.
Roxanne is a second year Master of Museum Studies student, graduating this spring from The George Washington University. This past spring, she worked in the Public Programs department under the supervision of Magdalena Van Thienen and Ashley Whitfield. Within this role, she planned and facilitated the arts and crafts workshop for April’s Phillips after 5: Miró by Night. This involved meticulous planning, budgeting skills, and ensuring the crafts were gallery safe. She has also assisted the Programs team with the set-up and operations of weekly programs ranging from Phillips after 5 to Living Room discussions. This internship has given her the opportunity to develop her skillset toward the creation of thoughtful programs as well as an appreciation of planning and teamwork required for the Phillips’s wonderful programs. Roxanne is grateful for this opportunity to explore the exciting world of public programs and is excited to take these enriching professional experiences with her.
I am Annelise Schader, a visual artist and part-time dance studio assistant. At the beginning of last year, I transitioned from a budding career as a USAID project implementer to explore the world of arts professionals. Fast forward to this spring, I started work as the Registrar Intern with Sarah Perdue, Associate Registrar of Exhibitions. My work ranged from drafting paperwork for outgoing and upcoming exhibitions to supporting de-installations and installations to ensuring that our master spreadsheets were up to date. Most notably, I had the opportunity to contribute to the installation of the international exhibition Miró and the United States. It was gratifying and one of the many highlights of my internship. In the fall, I will be moving to London to pursue graduate studies in fine arts at Goldsmiths, University of London. Meanwhile, I will be savoring my last summer in DC. I am incredibly grateful to my intern cohort and the mentors at the Phillips who have contributed to one of the most insightful and fulfilling work experiences I have ever had!
I’m Brooke Shapiro, Music Intern. As a senior at The George Washington University majoring in music and journalism, I am passionate about telling musicians’ stories through writing, media, and communications. Working primarily with Music Director Jenny Lin, I learned more than I could’ve imagined these past four months. I wrote program notes for almost every Sunday concert from February to May, crafting informative yet creative classical music commentary. I assisted with preparations for Phillips Music’s 86th season and organized program and reel archives for digitization. It was amazing to see what goes into planning a 9-month-long concert series, specifically how Phillips Music works in tandem with the museum’s special exhibitions. On Sunday Concert days, I got to dip my toes into the AV world with Juliette Bell, learning production skills by helping with audio setup, recording, and livestreaming. I also assisted with artist hospitality and stage setup. One of my regular Sunday tasks was greeting guests as they arrived and handing out programs—this seemingly menial task provided insight into what this concert series means to people. Over the course of the season, I learned the familiar faces that show up every week and saw friends and family members connect over live music. As people filed out of the Music Room during intermission or after the concert, not a Sunday went by where I didn’t hear some variation of “that was incredible.”
