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Kennedy Center Internships

Kennedy Center Internships Mission Statement

At the nation's premier performing arts organization, the Kennedy Center Internship Program provides a variety of individualized and collaborative learning experiences to enhance career development for the next generation of dynamic, socially-responsive arts leaders. The Kennedy Center Internship Program is defined by experiences that are:

  • Authentic
  • High-Quality
  • Engaging
  • Inclusive
  • Diverse

Spring 2017 Applications are due by 11:59 PM on November 4, 2016

About Kennedy Center Internships

The Kennedy Center Collegiate Internship Program offers a broad spectrum of internship opportunities. Our interns are placed with talented teams and experienced professionals who act as mentors and share their expansive knowledge of the performing arts industry.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a rising sophomore, junior, senior or within one year post undergraduate degree to apply for the Kennedy Center Collegiate Program. International applicants are encouraged to apply, however, the Kennedy Center does not sponsor visas, thus applicants will be required to provide proof of visa at time of application.

Kennedy Center Internships Experience

Accepted Kennedy Center Collegiate Interns will participate in a rigorous term of educational and professional experiences designed to prepare them to enter a career in the performing arts industry.

  • Placement Projects: Interns complete a series of long-term projects in their individual placements, and are directly supervised by a manager or director in that department. Placement projects and tasks help our interns hone important skills unique to their desired career field.
  • KC Class: Interns participate in two alternating KC Classes throughout the term, consistently taught by a team of Senior Leaders at the Center. Each KC Class is designed by Senior Leaders, and includes readings, group work, case study analysis and presentations. KC Classes are intended to mirror an academic setting in a professional environment.
  • Informational Seminars: KC Interns attend informational seminars hosted by KC staff at all levels of the institution. Seminars familiarize interns with the many departments and divisions of the Kennedy Center, and demonstrate the breadth and depth of the programming, educational offerings, and other content offered by the Kennedy Center.
  • Professional Development Workshops and Networking: Throughout the term, there will be several opportunities for interns to network internally and externally from the Kennedy Center, as well as practice important networking and interview skills. Professional Development Workshops are offered on a variety of topics, including personal digital branding, career path strategy, and networking skills. Interns also participate in speed-networking events, visit other arts and non-profit institutions, and host interns at the Kennedy Center.
  • Tours and Events: We love to share all that DC has to offer with our Kennedy Center Interns! Interns going on several museum visits, tour the White House, and get to know DC with their fellow intern class.

Ready to start your application?


Step 1: Get to know our placements

The following are internship placements offered for the upcoming term. Each placement has a specific set of learning objectives and projects, which will inform you what your experience will be like in that placement.


Step 2: Prepare your materials

All applicants must prepare the following materials for submission with your application:

  1. Resume
  2. Unofficial Transcript
  3. Writing Sample of no more than 7 pages that demonstrates your ability to make a clear and concise argument on a topic of your choosing
  4. Letter of Recommendation
  5. Proof of visa (if you are an international applicant)

Step 3: Ready to start your application? Click here.

Spring 2017 Applications are due by 11:59 PM on November 4, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, we do not accept applications form former interns at this time. We like to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to the Internship Program; therefore, we will only accept applications from students who have not yet completed our program.
Kennedy Center Internship Program lengths vary depending on the semester. Fall internship terms are approximately 14 weeks, from September-December. Spring internship terms are approximately 16 weeks, from January-May. Summer internship terms are approximately 10 weeks, from June-August.
All applications are distributed for review by our hiring supervisors after the application close date. No application will be reviewed before this date. Hiring supervisors will review applications and contact candidates directly for an interview. Applications will be considered by their first, second and third placement preferences, but can also be considered in any placement where their skillset is applicable. It is possible that candidates can be contacted for an interview up to 5 weeks after the application close date. Due to the high volume applications, the Kennedy Center Internship Office cannot answer any questions about the status of any particular applications. Applicants will be notified via the Submittable application system once all placements are filled.
Yes! Applications are considered on a term-by-term basis, and as your qualifications may change over time, we like to see your most updated materials. We do keep applications on file, but candidates must reapply to be eligible.
Yes! Rising Sophomores, who are Freshman at the time of application, are eligible to apply. To be considered for a Kennedy Center Collegiate Internship, you must be a sophomore, junior, senior or graduate up to one year post graduation.
The Kennedy Center Internship Program is unpaid.
The Kennedy Center does not provide housing for interns, however, interns are encouraged to contact each other to arrange housing via a contact list and Facebook group created before each term.
The Kennedy Center provides a smartrip metro card for every intern who requests one. Full time interns receive $120 per month loaded directly onto their smartrip card, which can be used on the bus, metro or circulator. Part time interns receive $6/day for each day they intern at the Kennedy Center.
Yes! If you wish to complete this internship for academic credit, please notify your hiring supervisor during the interview process, and email all forms directly to the supervisor.

Internships at the Kennedy Center

Key Dates

Spring Term

Spring Application Available: August 1-November 4, 2016
Spring Term Dates: January 23-May 12, 2017

Summer Term

Summer Application Available: January 17-March 31, 2017
Summer Term Dates: June 5-August 11, 2017

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