Intern Program
Bring your passion for the arts to work at Jacob's Pillow.
Applications for the 2026 Festival Intern Program are due February 2, 2026.
Summer Festival Intern Program
Be a member of the team behind one of the world’s most prestigious dance festivals! The Summer Festival Intern Program offers hands-on experience and training while working alongside our administration, documentation, and production teams. Each year, around 22 interns become an integral part of the Festival’s success.
Life-changing (sincerely!). Being surrounded by talented artists, skilled technicians, disciplined students, appreciative audiences, and finding a community of fantastic young professionals on such a historic land – that sort of thing changes a life like you'd never imagine.
Tyler Anderson, Community Engagement Intern
As a Festival Intern, you will
Life at the Pillow
As an intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience running the Festival and build lasting connections with peers, staff, and arts professionals. Curious? Check out our FAQs to learn more about intern life at the Pillow.
2026 Festival Intern Positions
Archives
Two Archives Interns work with the Archives team to provide public access to Jacob’s Pillow’s extensive collection of videos, photographs, books, and other historical materials; input all festival documentation into the Jacob’s Pillow Archives online catalog system; and support audience engagement events.
Audience Development / Marketing
The Audience Development/Marketing Intern works closely with the Audience Development Manager to collaborate on and execute strategic marketing initiatives to develop new in-person and digital audiences for both free and paid events, as well as building strong relationships with local and regional community members and organizations, and serving as a supporting liaison to the Community Engagement department and The School at Jacob’s Pillow on marketing projects and initiatives.
Community Engagement
Two Community Engagement Interns work collaboratively within a small team to implement the Pillow’s community programs through relationship building, critical thinking, and administrative activities. Community Engagement Programs serve participants of all ages and experiences, from individuals encountering movement for the first time to the advanced dancer. The Community Engagement Interns contribute to the administrative, financial, and logistical functions of programming, simultaneously building relationships as they interact with community partners, distinguished artists, and a range of participant groups—each with specific needs and interests.
Company Management
Company Management Interns play a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Interns will take on a range of responsibilities focused on artist services, coordination, and hospitality, ensuring that all logistical aspects of festival performances and artist care run smoothly. Each intern will serve as the secondary point of contact for their designated artists or companies. Interns will be responsible for supporting the logistics of performing companies or individual artists, and providing exceptional hospitality and care for them. Additionally, they will support the Production Department by communicating and collaborating on any performance or artist-related needs.
Digital Marketing
The Digital Marketing Intern support's the organization's digital marketing efforts and enhancing its dynamic digital presence. Reporting to the Digital Marketing Manager, this intern will also work closely with the Director of Marketing and Digital Marketing Coordinator, contributing to a collaborative team focused on expanding audience reach through strategic digital initiatives.
Patron Services
The Patron Services Intern plays a vital role in delivering an exceptional experience for patrons, artists, and staff at Jacob’s Pillow. Working directly with the Patron Services team, the intern will gain hands-on experience in all aspects of guest services, including box office operations, ticketing, and front-of-house support for the 2026 Festival season. This position offers the opportunity to develop customer service and event management skills, engage with diverse patrons, and work in a dynamic arts environment.
Philanthropy
The Philanthropy Intern will work alongside a dynamic Philanthropy team during Festival 2026. The intern will play an important role in the day-to-day fundraising operations of the summer Festival, and also be part of delivering major special events including the summer Gala, Annual Director’s Dinner, and School Sponsor Luncheon. The Philanthropy intern gains invaluable experience from being front-facing with our Members and supporters, and also what the inner workings are of a fast-paced fundraising team.
Photography
The Editing/Photography Intern works closely with the Festival Photographer to build a strong digital catalog of all Festival photography and to support the collection needs of the department. Primary assignments will include editing images for the photography team for quality and fast turn around, support of photographic process centered on dress rehearsals, Festival performances, classes, and events to produce images for the promotion of Jacob’s Pillow and inclusion in our digital Archives.
Public Relations
The Public Relations Intern supports the organization's PR, communications, and publicity efforts to enhance its brand visibility and reputation. Reporting to the Public Relations & Communications Coordinator, this intern will assist with all aspects of securing, tracking, and archiving media coverage on Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival while managing the composition of weekly press releases, compilation of press kits for media, and other print and digital materials as assigned.
School Programs
School Programs Interns work coordinate and implement five on-site, professional advancement and development programs involving an international roster of artist faculty and program participants, as well as participate in operations and logistics for The School at Jacob’s Pillow 360 Intensives being held nationwide in partnership with peer institutions. School Programs Interns gain hands-on experience in the administrative, philanthropic, and logistical functions needed to successfully deliver unique, in-depth programs led by a world-class, international roster of artist faculty.
Video Documentation
The Video Documentation Intern plays a vital role in capturing and preserving the dynamic experiences of the Festival. Working closely with the staff videographers, the intern will gain hands-on experience in video production, post-production, and archival management, contributing to both the Festival's promotional efforts and its extensive historical documentation.
Our Alumni
Alumni of the program have gone on to work at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Boston Ballet, The Brookings Institution, Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, Dance Magazine, Dance/USA, Edinburgh International Festival, Glimmerglass Festival, The Howard Gilman Foundation, Jacob’s Pillow Dance, The Joyce Theater, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, MASS MoCA, The Metropolitan Opera, Merce Cunningham Dance Company/Merce Cunningham Trust, New York City Center, New York Live Arts, New York Philharmonic, The New York Public Library, The New York Times, New Zealand Opera, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Spoleto Festival USA, Standard & Poor’s, Sundance Film Festival/Sundance Institute, University of the Arts Helsinki, Walt Disney Imagineering, Williams College, and YouTube, among others.