Walt Disney Animation Studios Animation Research Library Intern, Summer 2026

Job ID 10134960 Location Burbank, California, United States Business Walt Disney Animation Studios Date posted Nov. 13, 2025

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Job Summary:

About the Role & Program:

Have you wondered how your skills and talents could translate into the world of Animation Preservation? Our internship program dives into the craft, technology and operations behind the archiving and conservation of our legacy production materials and art, while developing your skills and connecting you to industry mentors. You'll learn what it means to be a part of a collaborative team and how your unique talents can grow within our organization. Find yourself immersed in hands-on projects and learning guided by our archivists, collection specialists and leaders of the world's largest animation archive.

The Animation Research Library (ARL) is dedicated to the preservation of the artistic heritage of the Walt Disney Animation Studios for enrichment and inspiration. We house a collection of more than 65,000,000 pieces of original artwork, which includes, but is not limited to, conceptual art, storyboards, maquettes, hand drawn production art, 3D models, textures, image files and final rendered images.

What You Will Do

Working with the ARL’s Collections team, you will be part of our ongoing efforts to rehouse, reorder, and catalogue our archive of animation art. Working with our physical collection, you will learn the proper way to care for both 2D and 3D animation art, including how to properly handle art and store it correctly. You will also participate in the creation of catalog records in our collections management system, carefully noting physical characteristics and metadata associated with each piece of art. Which films the intern works with will depend on the priorities and the needs of the greater Walt Disney Company at the time of the internship.

Tasks will include:

Archiving and rehousing:

Processing the physical artwork that has been identified to be digitized into the ARL’s collections management database including:

Process and rehouse physical artwork for digitization using best museum practices – handling, identifying mediums and ensuring proper archival storage and production order
Support research and exhibitions by organizing, tracking and safely moving artworks and constructing specialized archival housing as needed.

Cataloguing:

Creating catalog records for animation artwork in a relational database

Capture metadata and catalog artwork into collections, including identifying medium, artist, measurements and labels for consistency across films.
Research films, characters and creators as needed to produce accurate and comprehensive catalogue records.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

Comfortable working in a highly collaborative environment
Detail-oriented, with conscientious work habits
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Basic familiarity with library and/or archives processes and standards
Interest in animation and/or original artwork
Experience with Google tools (Drive, Calendar, etc.) and Microsoft office programs
Comfort with handling potentially fragile objects
Requires the physical ability to lift, push, pull or physically maneuver a minimum of 35 lbs of materials and/or supplies

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

Experience in working in a library, archive or museum
Cataloging experience
Experience with relational databases

Required Education:

Junior or Senior year preferred

Preferred Education:

Majoring in art, art history, film or animation is a plus

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information:

Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship.
Be at least 18 years of age
Possess unrestricted work authorization
Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or Disney College Program

Additional Information:

Approximate internship dates: June 1, 2026-August 21, 2026
Able to have a consistent, reliable work schedule throughout the internship
Fully available M-F, 8:00am-5:00pm PST for the duration of the internship, 40 hours each week.
Able to provide own housing for the duration internship program in the Glendale, CA area
Able to provide/have reliable transportation to/from work

The pay rate for this role in California is $22.50 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

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About Walt Disney Animation Studios:

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Disney Animation continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, from the first fully-animated feature film, 1937's “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” to the upcoming fall 2024 feature, “Moana 2.” Among the studio's timeless creations are “Pinocchio,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “Zootopia,” and “Encanto.”

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Pictures, which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Walt Disney Pictures is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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Explore this Location Burbank, CA

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