Summer Festival internships run late May through the end of August 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 the sample positions from our 2024 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, single rooms
- 3 meals per day
- $2,500 stipend
- Travel stipends will be provided on a sliding scale ranging from $100 to $300. The specific amount will be determined based on the submitted travel expenses, with the corresponding scale applied accordingly.
- 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 strongly recommend that all applicants carefully review the Intern FAQ. This internship offers a fully immersive 14-week onsite experience situated in rural Berkshire County, MA. Interns will reside and collaborate with each other and other Pillow staff. Given the dynamic nature of this environment and the extensive programming schedule, full attention and commitment are essential.
It’s important to note that not all internship opportunities are the same; they reflect the diversity of the professional field, with some positions requiring unconventional or extended hours. The organizational culture promotes a collective teamwork mentality, providing interns with numerous opportunities to collaborate across departments. This allows for valuable learning experiences and active participation in a variety of projects and tasks that contribute to the success of the 9-week festival.
We accept international applications. Some restrictions to the information provided about the internship may apply. Please inquire with info@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.
2024 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, Associate Archivist, and Digital 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.
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 assist staff in the day-to-day management of a multi-venue dance festival and are responsible for a wide variety of logistics associated with artist services, campus management, and customer service.
Interns rotate between two assignments throughout the internships. While on both rotations, this individual will be the point person for all logistics regarding performances for that week–answering questions, coordinating technical needs with the Production Department, and general hospitality.
Patron Services
The Patron Services Intern works closely with the Director of Patron Services, Patron Services Coordinator, Box Office Manager, House Managers, and local volunteers. This internship provides front-facing interaction with the public on our campus, patrons who buy tickets, attend performances and classes, school groups or camps that join us throughout the summer, the artists that populate our stages, and the rest of the intern cohort.
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.
Production
Production Interns work alongside Jacob’s Pillow Production Staff as well as the visiting company’s staff and artists to gain hands-on experience and knowledge about all aspects of the production process. Interns will rotate through different production departments during the summer while working on Festival set-up, company load-ins, and backstage positions in the historic Ted Shawn Theatre (TST), the Henry J. Leir outdoor stage (HJL), and multiple non-traditional theater venues.
Public Relations
The Public Relations Intern works closely with the Public Relations & Communication Coordinator and the Director of Marketing 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 serve as an integral part of The School Staff to coordinate and implement five onsite, professional advancement/development programs involving an international roster of 40+ Artist Faculty and 118 dancers, as well as participate in preparation and logistics for The School at Jacob’s Pillow 360 Intensives being held nationwide in partnership with peer institutions.
Intern Life at the Pillow
Learn more about the internship experience and living at the Pillow during the summer.
