Each semester, the CMA selects interns from the College of Communication and Fine Arts’ several departments and schools as well as from the University’s Honors College. Students may use the experience for course credit and are encouraged to do so. Past interns have worked with the CMA’s designers on projects for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Chucalissa Archaeological Museum, various University of Memphis departments, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Graduate assistants from the Departments of Art also staff the CMA. The Department of Art and the University support the stipend and tuition, respectively, that enable these students to gain valuable experience assisting CMA researchers. The GAs often work collaboratively and serve as project managers on small workgroup assignments.