Dance/USA offers competitive internship opportunities to recent college graduates, undergraduate juniors and seniors and to graduate students on a year-round basis. As a membership-based, national service organization for professional dance, we offer opportunities to work on a variety of issues facing the national dance field.  Located just a few blocks from the White House, in the heart of Washington, DC, Dance/USA is able to provide interns with professional on-the-job experience, as the interns work directly with and assist our national office staff.

Dance/USA offers part-time internships (a minimum of 15 hours per week) and full-time internships (a minimum of 30 hours per week). Typically our summer internships are full-time, and all of our internships are 10-12 weeks long. Inter-departmental opportunities are also available depending upon Dance/USA's needs and applicant interest. Dance/USA internships are unpaid, but to help defray transportation costs we offer a small stipend of $25 per week to part-time interns, and $50/week to full-time interns. Dance/USA does not provide intern housing; however, for information about temporary housing options in the DC area, please click here.

Internships may be offered in the following areas:

Research  
Job description: The research internship is designed to provide an introduction to and hands-on experience in conducting national arts research.

Duties include:

• 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 with the manager of research to expand Dance/USA's research offerings on the web
  

Interest in data collection, arts research, or lining-up numbers in a spreadsheet is required. Applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Excel and possess good oral and written communication skills. Excellent organizational skills are a plus.

*Next Available Summer 2012.

Development
Job description: 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 and assists with stewardship of individual donors and special projects as needed.

Duties include: 

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

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

*Next Available Summer 2012

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Government Affairs
Job Description: 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. 

Duties Include:

• track legislation, conduct phone calls to congressional offices, draft correspondence for members and update government affairs content on website
• learn about and assist with the visa process for foreign guest artists
• accompany government affairs director on visits with Capitol Hill staffers
• attend government affairs planning meetings with coalition partners in the Performing Arts Alliance, the Performing Arts Visa Taskforce, the Arts Education Working Group and the Cultural Advocacy Group
• work on specific projects to increase Dance/USA's advocacy tools and resources

A strong interest in public policy and arts advocacy required. Excellent oral and written communication skills are a must.

*Next Available Fall 2012

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Membership
Job description: The membership intern will provide support to Dance/USA's Membership Department that serves over 400 dance professionals. The intern will have the opportunity to develop and implement membership policies and procedures related to recruitment and retention. On a daily basis the membership intern will interact with our national constituency to provide current information about Dance/USA programs and the field at large.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• sending internal and external email and mail communications
• ensuring Dance/USA's member databases are up-to-date
• creating and organizing materials for events, renewals
• designing and distributing e-communications weekly, monthly
• proofreading and editing, internet research, responding to member inquiries and requests
• being point of contact on Dance/USA special projects within the department
• fulfilling general administrative tasks, maintenance of listservs, and assisting with the development and implementation of recruitment and retention strategies
  
  Depending on the time of the year, interns will be integral in Board and/or Conference preparations, will serve as point of contact for Dance/USA programs to include but not limited to our renewal season, and may assist with the management of scholarship programs.

Applicants must be proficient in Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel and have strong oral and written communication skills. Website/html management skills and a background in marketing are a plus.

*Next Available Fall 2012

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Marketing/PR
Job description: Assist in the implementation of communications and marketing activities for Dance/USA .

Duties include:

• help maintain and grow a national press/dance-press list
• assist with writing and distribution of press releases, assist with maintenance of press kit
• internet research, proofreading/editing
• assist with making updates to Dance/USA website
• communicate with press; be knowledgeable about Dance/USA programs and publications
• assist with design, promotion and publication of annual conference marketing
• assist with social media efforts and drafting of campaigns
  

Applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access. Website/html management skills are a plus as is experience with social media.  

*Next Available Summer 2012

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Programming/Annual Conference
Job description: The Programming/Annual Conference intern will assist in planning Dance/USA's Annual Conference in San Fransisco, CA, June 27-30, 2012. 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 the capacity to work under pressure and the ability to manage multiple projects at once.

Duties include:

• research conference logistics for off-site locales - buses, tours, etc.
• work with Programs Director on catering, locales, and schedule
• research and confirm AV logistics at all conference locales
• process/track speaker contracts regarding engagement, lodging, fees, registration
• assist with speaker contracts regarding engagement, lodging, fees, registration
• collect bio, images, etc. for all Speakers and Honorees for web placement
• Honors Celebration
  • for Honor, Ernie, Champion, and Trustee awardees: help collect biographical information, photos, articles, and quotes
  • work with Communication staff on press releases
  • work with Development staff to collect information for evening's printed program
  • assist with procuring actual awards

• liaison with staff on all information related to participant registration
• finalize all contracts with off-site vendors
• review meeting room allocations for capacity counts and set-up with conference venues
• finalize catering counts, dietary restrictions
• assist with staff and volunteer schedules
• create event signage
• serve as on-site conference staff; solid week of facilitation on site at conference

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How to apply:

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter outlining internship interests, career goals, and availability to Kristen Jackson, office manager/executive administrator. Please include Internship Application in the subject line.

Application Deadlines:

Programming/Annual Conference Internship, February - June 2012

            Application deadline: February 1, 2011

Summer Internship, May - August 2012

            Application deadline: March 1, 2012

Fall Internship, September - December 2012

            Application deadline: July 15, 2012

For more information, please email Kristen Jackson or call 202.833.1717.