Arts Administration Internships

Events and Marketing. Collaborating closely with colleagues in the City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division, the Event and Marketing Intern for the Worcester Cultural Coalition will assist in marketing and special event program coordination. Intern duties may include, but are not limited to: writing and creating content (i.e. press releases, social media posts, email blasts, website posts); assisting with grant application processes; data collection and management; communicating with vendors and members of the public; producing graphic design items; distributing promotional materials; assisting with in-person and virtual event coordination, setup/breakdown, and tabling; and conducting administrative assignments. Some weekends and nighttime hours may be required. Other duties may arise depending on individual interests and departmental need.

Literary. The Literary Intern provides general support for the Artistic Department but will focus on duties of the Literary office.  A successful candidate should demonstrate not only an interest in dramatic literature and new plays but should be motivated and possess strong writing and research skills.  Duties include gathering research for all season productions; organizing and assembling dramaturgical materials for rehearsal; script reading and evaluation; attending local productions on behalf of the Artistic Department; assisting the Director of New Work in the logging, tracking, and processing of scripts; supporting informal and public readings; researching, suggesting, and moderating talks with guest speakers; and writing articles for Huntington publications.

Marketing. The Marketing Intern will assist in all aspects of Marketing operations, ideally with a specialty in copywriting and editing. Depending on the candidate’s skill set and interests, there will be opportunities to assist and support the Graphic Designer with the creation of assets and graphics, the Digital Marketing Coordinator with the creation of emails and updating the website, and the Community Engagement Manager with the planning and execution of events and strategies to diversify our audiences.

A single application will offer the opportunity to be considered for all internship opportunities. The 2025 application link will be available here soon.

Applications are due by Monday, March 10. Students whose applications advance will be contacted for interviews with Prior staff and placement hosts. Acceptances and internship offers will be issued by early April. [Feel free to inquire with kfrisina@holycross.edu if your circumstances require a sooner answer sooner.]

All rising juniors and rising seniors are eligible to apply. Applicants are not required to have previous academic or professional experience in the arts, but should be able to make a clear case for their interest in and readiness for a summer immersed in arts administration.

Yes. All internships are full-time. 25-32 hours/week will be spent with your host placement, with the rest of your week (up to 40 hours total) spent in conversation with your internship cohort and working on an independent project.

Preparation phase (April-May)

• Three cohort sessions with mini-reading and -writing assignments (April and May). Sessions will cover: (1) cohort building; (2) common workplace skills, norms, and expectations; (3) a practical introduction to the arts and culture field; and (4) identification of student interests to shape your longer term, independent project.
• Individual meetings with the Prior’s Interim Executive Director to prepare for your specific internship.
• Development of action plan for internship by Savage Skinner Fellows and placement mentors.

Internship phase (May-August)

• Internship work (minimum 8 weeks, typically 25-32 hours or 4 days/week).
• Individual work on longer term independent project driven by student interests.
• Regular cohort meetings with Prior staff in which Savage Skinner Fellows engage in guided reflection and collaborative troubleshooting about their internship experiences.
• Note: the three categories of activity above together total full-time summer work.

Post-internship event (August)

• One-day retreat (on campus or Zoom) in which the Savage Skinner Fellows reflect on their internships and experiences; complete brief assignments to articulate new skills and experience and prepare assets for possible next steps in pursuing a career in the arts; and develop a collaborative presentation to showcase experiential learning takeaways.

Research on student experiential learning in the arts, including surveys conducted with student interns as well as host mentors, suggests that these activities are valuable for introducing professional and field norms, fostering community, providing structure, preparing assets for future work or research, and articulating other takeaways. Through the pre- and post-internship activities, we are excited to connect students with one another and to deepen their engagement with work in the arts!

In line with Holy Cross Center for Career Development programs such as the Crusader Internship Fund, funding consists of a standardized stipend award of $3500 for a full-time internship. Students who need to relocate for their internship are eligible to receive $500 of further funding, as are students who need to commute for their internship. Students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office will also be eligible for an additional $1,000 award. The maximum award will be $5,500 for those that qualify.

The first half of the stipend will be disbursed towards the end of the spring semester and the second half of the stipend will be disbursed to you upon completion of your midpoint evaluation.

Please note: This award is meant to provide financial assistance only, increasing access to internships that students may not otherwise be able to accept.

Students are responsible for securing their own housing.  Resources for summer housing are available through the Center for Career Development website.