Summer Festival internships run May 30 through September 1, 2023, and are part of a structured program decades in the making. Jacob’s Pillow internships offer invaluable training and mentorship towards your professional career. By interning with Jacob’s Pillow during the summer, you join a team of seasoned arts professionals and assist with multiple programs pertaining to the Festival, The School, the Archives, and Community Engagement. View 2023 Summer Festival Internships.
As a Summer Festival Intern, you will:
- Be a member of the team executing one of the world’s most prestigious dance festivals.
- Experience a Festival environment offering world-class ballet, contemporary, cultural, dance/theatre, and jazz dance; public events including artist talks, master classes, community classes, open rehearsals, and free performances; access to one of the field’s most valuable dance Archives; and professional advancement training in The School at Jacob’s Pillow.
- Receive on-the-job training and experience working with the Festival’s staff.
- Gain a broad perspective on the international performing arts field.
- Join an international community of artists, faculty, scholars, staff, students, and intern peers in a dance-filled environment.
- Enjoy the rich heritage of this National Historic Landmark in the beautiful Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.
- Learn more details about intern life at the Pillow by clicking here!
Interns receive:
- Career talks, topical discussions, Staff-led seminars, training, and mentoring
- On-campus housing
- 3 meals per day
- $2,100 stipend
- Free performances and dance classes
- College credit, work-study, independent study, and/or cooperative learning programs may be available through your school. Or you may register for college credit at Jacob’s Pillow through our partnership with the Division of Continuing Education at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Check with your college registrar’s office and department to determine whether these credits will transfer to your school. Credit fee information is available after May 1.
We encourage all applicants to review the Intern FAQ. This internship is an immersive 14-week onsite experience located in rural Berkshire County MA. Interns will live and work among each other and other Pillow staff. All of these circumstances combined with a robust programming schedule necessitate one’s full attention. Not all internship opportunities are alike, rather, they mirror the professional field, some requiring odd hours and/or long hours. The culture and work environment is one of a collective teamwork mentality that present many opportunities for interns to work across departments to learn and pitch in on an array of projects and tasks that will facilitate the 9 week festival.
We accept international applications. Some restrictions to the information provided about the internship may apply. Please inquire with internprogram@jacobspillow.org for more detail.
Additional Special Opportunities: Candidates may be eligible for an additional stipend and other support through The Barbara and Amos Hostetter Internship Program. Read the full details of this sponsored program here. Please fill out any of the intern applications to express interest in this program and to begin a review of eligibility for financial support, including travel stipends to/from the Pillow.
Applicants must be 18 years of age in order to participate in the internship program. Criteria for acceptance are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, gender, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
Jacob’s Pillow is committed to providing an inclusive, diverse, accessible, and equitable environment that cultivates the celebration of the art of dance and its positive impact on communities. Jacob’s Pillow’s mission is to support dance creation, presentation, education, and preservation; and to engage and deepen public appreciation and support for dance. Organization-wide values include inclusion, leadership, integrity, flexibility, partnership, and sustainability. Learn more about Jacob’s Pillow, its mission statement, and its values here.
Jacob’s Pillow is a registered 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that provides equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law. This policy also prohibits employees from harassing any other employee for any reason including, but not limited to, race, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disabled status.
2023 Summer Festival Intern Positions
Archives / Audience Engagement
Two Archives / Audience Engagement Interns work in a newly-expanded facility open six days a week alongside the Director of Preservation and Associate Archivist to provide public access to the Pillow’s extensive collection of videos, photographs, books, and other historical materials.
Audience Development
The Audience Development Intern works closely with the Audience Development Coordinator, Digital Marketing Manager, and Director of Marketing to collaborate on and execute strategic 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 year-round projects and initiatives.
Patron Services
The Patron Services Intern works closely with the Director of Patron Services and Box Office Manager, House Managers, Theatre Manager, volunteers, and the public. Projects and responsibilities include serving as Assistant House Manager, gaining a comprehensive understanding of box office policies and procedures, assisting with community events, managing on-campus signage and promotions, and more.
Philanthropy
The Philanthropy Intern will have the opportunity to gain real work experience in a busy Philanthropy office. Duties include assisting with stewardship and cultivation of prospective donors; making arrangements for VIP visits; assisting with membership recruitment and retention; staffing the Member information table; and more.
Public Relations
Public Relations Interns work closely with the Public Relations & Communication Coordinator to assist with all aspects of securing, tracking, and archiving media coverage of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival while managing the editing and production of weekly printed performance programs.
School Programs
School Programs Interns work with The School staff to coordinate and implement five onsite, professional advancement programs involving an international roster of up to 40 artist faculty and 118 dancers, as well as operations and logistics for Pillow affiliated intensives being held worldwide in partnership with peer institutions.
Intern Life at the Pillow
Learn more about the internship experience and living at the Pillow during the summer.
