Dance/USA, the voice for the professional field of dance, offers internships to aspiring arts administrators.

Recent college graduates, current college juniors/seniors, and graduate students are eligible to apply! Those accepted will receive professional, on-the-job experience that is needed in today’s job market by working with and assisting our national office staff.

Applications are accepted on a rolling deadline. Part-time and full-time internships are available. Stipends or university credit are also available.

Internship positions may be available during the following months:

• Spring (January- March)
• Summer (May-July)
• Fall (September-November)

To apply, interested candidates must email their resume and a cover letter outlining internship interests, career goals, and availability to Melissa Lineburg, executive administrator. Please include Internship Application in the subject line.

With questions, call the Dance/USA national office at 202.833.1717.

Internships are available in the following departments (please see below for descriptions):

• Development
• Government Affairs
  
• Programming
• Research

Internship Descriptions:

Development
The Development Intern works closely with the director of development and executive director in the preparation of proposals and reports to Dance/USA's foundation, corporate, and government funders. The position also assists with stewardship of individual donors and special projects as needed.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting with stewardship of current donors and new major donor program
• Working with director of development on preparation of grant proposals and reports to funders
• Assisting with projects for the Board of Trustees
• Assisting with planning for Board of Trustees meetings and the Annual Conference
• Providing support for updating the database

Applicants must have excellent oral and written communications skills, be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, and be able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Website/html skills are a bonus.

Government Affairs
The government affairs intern will learn the tools and techniques of advocacy while becoming familiar with federal policy and legislative issues of concern to the performing arts community.

Complete description coming soon!

Programs/Annual Conference
The Programs/Annual Conference intern assists in planning Dance/USA's Annual Conference. This internship is available for a term of January-July surrounding the conference. Applicants must be available to attend the full Dance/USA Conference.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Researching conference logistics for off-site locales - buses, tours, etc.
• Working with Programs staff on catering, locales, and schedule 
• Researching and confirming AV logistics at all conference locales 
• Assisting with and process/track speaker contracts regarding engagement, lodging, fees, registration 
• Professionally corresponding with speakers, honorees, and business partners through verbal and written means
• Collecting and posting bios, images, etc. for all Speakers and Honorees for web placement 
• Honors Celebration- helping collect biographical information, photos, articles, and quotes for Honor, Ernie, Champion, and Trustee awardees; working with Communication staff on press releases; working with Development staff to collect information for evening's printed program 
• Being a liaison with staff on all information related to participant registration 
• Assisting with maintenance the conference and registration website 
• Reviewing meeting room allocations for capacity counts and set-up with conference venues 
• Finalizing catering counts, dietary restrictions
• Assisting with staff and volunteer schedules and training 
• Creating printed guide and reference materials for volunteers, registration staff, and Dance/USA staff
• Creating event signage 
• Overseeing pre-conference and on-site conference registration staff
• Facilitating on-site at the conference for a solid week
  

Applicants must have demonstrated interest in dance and/or arts administration; must be willing to accept challenges with limited instruction, but have the ability to ask questions as needed; must be computer/technology savvy; must be an independent worker in a group environment; must have excellent verbal and written communication; must have the capacity to work under pressure and the ability to manage multiple projects at once.

Research
The Research Internship provides an introduction to and hands-on experience in conducting national arts research. This position works alongside the Director of Information Services.

Duties include, but are not limited to:
•    Conducting primary data collection on dance companies
•    Assisting with updating Dance/USA's annual Snapshot of the Field
•    Learning about research on the dance field and the performing arts sector
•    Working to expand Dance/USA's research offerings on the web

Applicants must have an interest in data collection and arts research, be proficient in Microsoft Excel, and possess good oral and written communication skills. The ability to line up numbers in a spreadsheet is required. Excellent organization skills are a bonus.

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