Kennedy Center Internship Program – Fall 2025

The Fall 2025 term dates are September 8th - December 12th, 2025. Internships are part-time opportunities scheduled for a maximum of 29 hours per week. 

About the program:

The Kennedy Center Internship Program is a holistic and rigorous professional development opportunity designed to elevate the next generation of leaders in the arts, culture, and non-profit fields. Through the program, students will have the opportunity to develop office skills, gain qualification for future jobs, and cultivate social capital by developing connections with leaders at a world-class arts organization.

Each intern will be placed in a department based on their interests and career aspirations. With their direct supervisor, each intern will identify objectives and project goals for the term length of the program. Along with the larger, departmental projects the interns will assist with, each supervisor will fashion smaller projects that will address the goals the intern expressed during the start of the term.

Throughout the program curriculum interns will:

• Participate in seminars with senior staff members on a variety of arts administration topics
• Attend cross-departmental meetings to understand the workings of a matrix organization
• Collaborate with fellow interns on capstone project
• Shadow staff members in any of our 13 departments
• Enjoy behind-the-scenes dress rehearsals with the Washington National Opera, National Symphony Orchestra, and much more!
• This is a paid internship program ($17.95 per hour) based in Washington, D.C.

How to Apply:

Complete the online internship application and submit a cover letter that includes the answer to the following questions:

• What role do you personally plan to play in impacting a stronger future for the arts?

Please provide your personal response within the cover letter and include with your application (no more than 2 pages for the cover letter). *Note: Please address your cover letter to "Kennedy Center Internship Hiring Manager". 

Requirements:

• Must be a sophomore, junior, and/or senior currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program to apply. Newly graduated seniors, up to 6 months post-undergraduate, who are not actively enrolled in a graduate or master’s program are also encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must commit to no more than 29 hours a week for the full term.
• Applicant must be able to reliable commute to the Kennedy Center at least three times a week for intern curriculum events.
• If an international student, applicant must have a valid, unexpired visa.
• Must have a local address in either DC, MD, or VA.