The Opportunity

The Internship Program Manager leads a workforce development-focused program that prepares youth ages 17–23 for careers in the creative industries. This role oversees a dynamic, year-round internship program serving both college students and high school seniors, with peak activity in the summer.

Through a combination of traditional internships and cohort-based Learning Pods, the program connects young people to hands-on professional experiences, mentorship, and career exposure across creative fields, including art, design, fashion, media, and more.

This role is both strategic and highly hands-on, combining program leadership, partnership development, and direct student engagement. It also plays a key role in strengthening Free Arts’ long-term impact by building systems for college student support, mentorship, and alumni engagement, ensuring participants remain connected to opportunities beyond high school.

Program Overview

Traditional Internships (30+ placements annually): College students are placed individually at creative companies, artist studios, and organizations for hands-on paid professional experience
Learning Pods (30+ participants annually): Cohort-based, six-week summer experiences designed for high school seniors, where small groups of students engage with a host company, learn directly from professionals, and complete structured projects and assignments
Summer Programming: Weekly workshops, site visits, and career exposure opportunities (e.g., financial literacy, professional development, industry panels)

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Implementation

Lead and grow a year-round internship program with a primary focus on summer placements
Oversee the execution of both traditional internships and Learning Pods, ensuring high-quality, structured experiences
Design and coordinate weekly summer programming, including workshops, panels, and site visits
Collaborate with internal staff to align internship programming with broader Teen Arts Program goals
Work closely with the Development Team to secure new partnerships, secure funding for placements, and locations for workshops
Manage Program Coordinator and summer Fellow/Intern

Partnership Development & Industry Engagement

Build and maintain relationships with creative companies, nonprofits, and artist studios
Secure and manage internship and Learning Pod placements across a range of creative industries
Collaborate with partners to design meaningful, hands-on experiences for participants
Engage partners as mentors, speakers, and long-term supporters of Free Arts

Student Recruitment, Placement & Support

Recruit, screen, and match high school seniors and college students to appropriate placements
Match participants with mentors based on interests, goals, and experience level
Conduct regular check-ins with interns and host supervisors through calls, meetings, and site visits
Visit internship sites (1–2 times per placement) to support student success and strengthen partnerships

College Student Engagement, Mentorship & Alumni Pathways

Maintain strong relationships with college students in the Free Arts pipeline, ensuring continued engagement in internships and program offerings
Develop and implement a mentorship model to support students navigating college and early career pathways
Create opportunities for networking, industry exposure, and community-building, including panels, workshops, and company visits
Host monthly engagement sessions (both virtual and in-person), including workshops, information sessions, and networking opportunities for students to stay engaged and connected.
Track student progress and outcomes, including internships and jobs secured both within and outside of Free Arts, academic milestones, and career pathways
Build and sustain an engaged alumni network that serves as ambassadors and supports current participants
Ensure ongoing communication with alumni to keep them connected to opportunities, resources, and the Free Arts community

Program Operations & Administration (with support from the Program Coordinator/Intern/Fellow)

Manage all aspects of onboarding, including the collection of required documentation (W-9s, working papers, payment forms, reimbursements)
Track attendance, participation, and program data in Salesforce
Develop and collect evaluation tools for interns and supervisors
Compile and share program data for reporting, communications, and grant requirements
Facilitate career readiness workshops and support organization-wide program events
Support additional programmatic initiatives, including company visits and special projects throughout the year
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

3–5+ years of experience in youth development, workforce development, internships, or related fields
Experience working with college-aged and high school youth
Strong organizational and project management skills
Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
Passion for the arts and expanding access to creative careers
Commitment to equity and experience working with diverse communities
Spanish language skills a plus