Tag: Internships

Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2026: Many Temporary Positions (USA)

“JobMultiple temporary positions for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2026, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA. Deadline: 14 October 2025.

The Smithsonian Institution holds a Folklife Festival every summer in Washington, DC, as a way to encourage dialogue across cultural groups from around the country and the world. They are currently hiring dozens of temporary positions for the 2026 Folklife Festival. Just to list a few of the positions, those in communications, design and documentation include:

  • Digital Asset Management Assistant
  • Graphic Designer
  • Graphic Design Assistant
  • Writer/Editor
  • Lead Photographer
  • Videographer

In addition, they are looking for interns year-round, although the bulk of the work is in the summer. In the fall, winter, and spring, interns assist with research and planning for the upcoming Festival’s programs—best suited for students in anthropology, ethnomusicology, and language studies as related to the program. In the summer, they also seek interns to work on event production, technical crew, the Festival Marketplace, social media, web production, graphic design, foodways, curatorial team, the Festival Blog, public relations, accessibility, participant and volunteer coordination, video production, and administration.

UNESCO Internships (Various Locations)

Professional OpportunitiesVarious internships, UNESCO, various locations around the world. Deadlines: various.

UNESCO offers internships at multiple levels, and in multiple offices around the world. Here are a few examples:

Office of the Director-General Internships
Paris, France, 1-6 months, deadline: 30 June 2024

Under the authority of the Cabinet Coordination Officer, and under the supervision of one of the Director-General’s advisors, the intern will assist the Advisor in preparing files on subjects related to the fields of competency of UNESCO (education, science, culture, social and human sciences and communication). In this way, the intern will gain knowledge of UNESCO’s working environment and operations (including its mandate and cooperation with specialized UN agencies). They will also develop an understanding of UNESCO’s interactions with other international institutions (the United Nations system and the 2030 Agenda).

All Sectors/Bureaus Internships
Headquarters, Field Offices, and Institutes, 1-6 months, deadline: 31 December 2024

An internship with UNESCO will give you experience of the daily working environment of the United Nations specialized agency. You will be working in a team from one of the Programme Sectors or Central Services (the support services) of the Organization, at Headquarters, in one of the Field Offices, or in a Category I Institute. You will be part of a team in which you will be exposed to a range of colleagues, making a meaningful contribution to the work of the team and the Organization. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to improve an array of technical and professional skills in a multi-cultural environment. Interns carry out a variety of tasks, depending on the team in which they are working and the particular needs at the time. Activities will vary depending on the requirements of the assignment, and the specific Terms of Reference and learning objectives will be provided by the supervisor with whom you will be working.

There are also internships available specifically in the Communication and Information Sector, or in the Education Sector.

Peace Development Fund Internships (USA)

Professional Opportunities

Communications or Grant Program Internships, Peace Development Fund, Amherst, MA, or San Francisco, CA, USA. Deadlines: various.

The Peace Development Fund works to build the capacity of community-based organizations through grants, training and other resources as partners in the human rights and social justice movements. As a public foundation, they nourish, foster and encourage the diverse, self-sustaining and economically viable communities that are essential to building a peaceful, just and equitable world.

PDF offers either summer or semester-long internships in either San Francisco or Amherst, or work study through one of the Five Colleges in Massachusetts. Internships are unpaid. Flexible start and end date.

Communications Internship– Interns will work collaboratively with other interns and with PDF staff to support PDF’s communications work including social media, blogs, press releases, and written materials. Internship workplans will be developed to best fulfill both PDF’s programmatic needs and the interests of interns.

Grant Program Internship– Grant Program interns will work primarily on the Community Organizing Grant cycle and will have the opportunity to learn about community organizing principles, read grant applications from a wide range of organizations across the country, research best practices, and give input on eligibility of applications.

Washington Office on Latin America: Internships 2024 (USA)

Professional OpportunitiesSally Yudelman Internship Program, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Washington, DC, USA. Deadline: 31 October 2023 for spring 2024 internships.

WOLA’s Internship Program is named in honor of Sally Yudelman for her commitment and contribution to WOLA and the cause of social justice. Following Sally’s example, they hope to provide unique mentoring opportunities through internships, encouraging the next generation of young people to get involved in advocating for human rights in Latin America. Former interns can be found around the world working as human rights advocates, congressional aides, lawyers, journalists, professors, and even as members of WOLA’s staff.

Every semester, WOLA’s new interns are paired with staff mentors and absorbed into the work of the organization. They collaborate on a mix of research, analytical, and administrative work, and they are encouraged to get involved in the day-to-day activities of their teams.

WOLA selects three interns per session (Spring, Summer, and Fall), and each intern is assigned to work with two of the programs from the following; Border Security, Central American Monitor, Colombia, Communications, Cuba, Development/Fundraising, Drug Policy, Mexico and Migrant Rights, Operations and Human Resources, and Venezuela. The available programs are based on the intern’s interests as well as WOLA’s needs; they change every session.

Interested applicants should have a demonstrated interest in human rights, democracy, and social justice in Latin America; initiative and flexibility; the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; good organizational skills; follow-through; and attention to detail. A minimum of intermediate-advanced Spanish proficiency is required for all internships. Intermediate Portuguese language skills and an interest/experience in development, operations, or communications are pluses. Lastly due to the paid nature of this internship you must be authorized to work in the United States.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2023: Many Temporary Positions (USA)

“JobMultiple temporary positions for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2023, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA. Deadline: 2 December 2022.

The Smithsonian Institution holds a Folklife Festival every summer in Washington, DC, as a way to encourage dialogue across cultural groups from around the country and the world. They are currently hiring dozens of temporary positions for the 2023 Folklife Festival. Just to list a few of the positions, those in media and communications:

  • Social Media Coordinator
  • Graphic Designer
  • Graphic Design Assistant
  • Marketing & Media Relations Manager

Other positions are in administration, visitor services, marketplace, documentation, production, technical operations, etc.

In addition, they are looking for interns year-round, although the bulk of the work is in the summer. In the fall, winter, and spring, interns assist with research and planning for the upcoming Festival’s programs—best suited for students in anthropology, ethnomusicology, and language studies as related to the program. In the summer, they also seek interns to work on event production, technical crew, the Festival Marketplace, social media, web production, graphic design, foodways, curatorial team, the Festival Blog, public relations, accessibility, participant and volunteer coordination, video production, and administration.

Smithsonian: Curatorial Internships in African/American Crafts (USA but Online)

Professional OpportunitiesCuratorial Internships in African-American and African crafts, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. but virtual, January-April 2022. Deadline: November 20, 2021.

The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage is pleased to announce two new virtual internship positions as part of the African American Craft Initiative (AACI) and the Crafts of African Fashion (CAF) project. Beginning this winter, the internships will run from January to April 2022 and are part-time.

Working under the supervision and mentorship of curator Diana N’Diaye and project coordinator Sloane Keller, interns will have the opportunity to listen and learn from experiences of African and African American artists and artisans in their own words and participate in activities to amplify these powerful legacies for generations to come. The primary assignment will involve working as part of the initiative team, conducting research, and helping to coordinate programming activities. The interns will also learn about the Crafts of African Fashion project and assist with the development of funding proposals and programmatic activities. Selected applicants will receive a stipend of $1,500.

Intercultural Dialogue Platform Paid Internships (Belgium)

“Job2 Paid Internships: Social Media/Graphics, and Videography/Media, Intercultural Dialogue Platform, Brussels, Belgium. Deadline: 2 October 2020.

Intercultural Dialogue Platform is a Brussels based NGO founded in 2000, aiming at mutual understanding and harmonious interaction among the people of different cultural backgrounds. The organization carries out several international projects on promoting social inclusion, dialogue, civic engagement as well as preventing extremism, racism and discrimination.

Penn Museum Internships 2020 (USA)

“JobPaid and unpaid, graduate and undergraduate, summer internships, University of Pennsylvania Museum, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Deadline: February 7, 2020.

The Penn Museum offers paid and unpaid summer internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, and recent graduates from any college or university. Please see below for more information about eligibility for funding. The internship is made up of two parts: interns are placed in a Museum department and work on a project under a departmental supervisor; each week interns come together for the Museum Practice Program overseen organized by the Summer Internship coordinator. The program includes orientation, weekly lectures, collections tours, a field trip to a local museum, and final presentations. The Penn Museum strongly encourages applications from students who are members of groups underrepresented in careers related to museums and anthropology.

Smithsonian Paid Internships 2020 (USA)

“JobImpact Evaluation Internships, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. 10 weeks, year round, part-time paid opportunity. Deadline: Open until filled, posted January 13, 2020.

The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (CFCH) is seeking a part-time impact evaluation intern to work with the cultural sustainability team on conceiving and developing an impact evaluation framework and support the management of ongoing project evaluations. If you are passionate about monitoring and evaluation and are a team player with a positive attitude, then you are who they are looking for!

CFCH’s cultural sustainability initiative focuses on assessing and mitigating the risks to cultural vitality, transforming public dialogue, implementing community-based programs, and scaling the impact of the work. The initiative covers projects around the world and includes a variety of activities such as trainings, workshops, online exhibitions, exchanges, and cultural documentation.

This internship offers an opportunity to work closely with the cultural sustainability team on developing an impact evaluation framework for the initiative. It offers a chance to gain and/or expand your experience in researching methodologies and approaches, and to articulate and form best practices and tools/models for cultural sustainability programs and activities. The internship is also an opportunity to build your skills and competences in areas of communication (verbal and electronic); organization (schedules, contacts, and workspace); receiving feedback; and establishing professional work habits.

Catalan-American Cultural Heritage Exchange 2020

FellowshipsCatalan-American Cultural Heritage Exchange 2020. Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Washington, DC, USA. Deadline: at least 6 weeks prior to an individual’s start date.

The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage is pleased to invite applications from cultural heritage students and professionals in Catalonia to join this unique program. The program will provide new opportunities for three participants to explore and expand their careers in museums, cultural heritage, the arts, and arts management over a twelve-week period in 2020. We anticipate supporting two interns who are still developing their careers and one fellow who already has an established career path. The Center will welcome interns and fellows from Catalonia into a robust cohort from Washington, D.C., across the United States and around the world. They will study museology, cultural heritage, the arts, anthropology, folklore, ethnomusicology, and archival science. The program will also create a pipeline for graduate education in American universities; interns will receive support in applying to American graduate programs, including some that offer funding to complete a two-year master’s degree.

NOTE: Over 100 Smithsonian Institution internships are available annually, as well as a wide variety of fellowships at various levels: predoctoral, postdoctoral, and senior postdoctoral scholars, involved in cultural heritage, ethnomusicology, museum studies, and more. Fellows work directly with staff in the office in Washington, D.C., with access to Smithsonian archives, collections, and other resources. Applicants are welcome from the United States and around the world.