Cooper Hewitt Design Hive

Design Hive is a paid, youth-led program at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. High school juniors and seniors dive deep into design objects and processes to develop their own collaborative projects, learning how designers move from an initial idea to a final design.

Pay: a $1,250 stipend upon successful completion.

Dates (2027): Tuesdays, 4:30–6:30 pm, January 19 – June 1, 2027 (DOE breaks observed), at Cooper Hewitt (2 East 91st Street) and offsite locations. Participants must attend all weekly sessions.

Eligibility:

• High school juniors and seniors
• Based in the New York City area

How to apply: apply through the Smithsonian’s SOLAA portal by Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 11:59 pm. The application includes short-answer questions, an essay, and two references (a teacher, mentor, or other adult who isn’t related to you). Optional demographic questions, including citizenship status, aren’t tied to your application and can be left blank. A virtual information session is available. Questions? Email McNallyK@si.edu.