Fall Internships in DC | Wolf Trap
Skip to Main Content
menu mobile iconView Navigation

Fall Internships

Wolf Trap Internship;

Fall 2024 interns must be physically located in and have a local address in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia during the duration of their internship.

Interns are required to be onsite for the majority of their workweek. Ideally, onsite days should align with the Foundation’s hybrid schedule which currently requires all staff to be onsite on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If interns cannot be onsite on these days, an onsite schedule should be discussed during the interview process.

Hired interns will be provided a laptop and necessary software for the expected duration of their assignment.

Applications will not be considered after August 1. To apply, click the “Apply Now” button at the bottom of the position description. If applying for more than one internship, you must submit separate applications for each position.

You must complete the entire online application within three days to be considered for an internship.

  • Cover letter with brief personal statement and outline of career goals.
  • Resume listing relevant courses, previous experience, and special skills. No transcripts please.
  • Writing sample (no more than 3 pages; not required for Graphic Design). Example can be something you’ve already written for a previous class or assignment.
  • Design samples (required for select positions).
     

For questions or concerns, please email internships@wolftrap.org.

AVAILABLE INTERNSHIPS:

Communications & Marketing

Development

Education

Human Resources (Recruiting & Training)
Finance
Opera Artistic Administration
Legislative Research
Production & Sound

Graphic Design

Work on a wide range of creative projects in this exciting, fast-paced environment. Receive hands-on professional experience and mentorship while enhancing your design portfolio! As an integral part of Wolf Trap’s creative team, you will design signage, program magazine layouts, invitations, print/Web ads, and more.

  • Juggle several projects simultaneously and learn how to build production schedules and meet deadlines
  • Prepare work for prepress, review proofs, and communicate with printers

Requirements

  • Talented graphic design students with an interest in performing arts or music preferred
  • Strong technical skills in Adobe creative suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) on Mac platform
  • Strong understanding and appreciation for typography
  • HTML and motion graphic skills a plus
  • Strong proofreading skills
  • Must be detail-oriented
  • Minimum of three portfolio samples showing type and layout skills required

CLOSED

Development Data & Systems

The Intern, Development Data & Systems, supports the Systems Management team of the Development Department of Wolf Trap Foundation, assisting with the maintenance and organization of our donor database, and other administrative tasks. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing a career in non-profit arts administration in development, information technology, data administration, and/or data analytics.

  • Assist with the maintenance and organization of the donor database, including data entry, up-dating records, and generating reports
  • Enter and maintain confidential membership data into Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT, the department’s donor tracking software
  • Complete data clean up tasks, including reviewing and merging of duplicate records and records of constituents confirmed as deceased
  • Build reports, and other tasks to ensure donor data is accurate and private
  • Review and confirm accuracy of data in constituent records, and support the archival processes for records that should be removed from the database
  • Work with the Development Data & Systems Specialist to create internal training and trouble-shooting resources for using and managing the Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge database
  • Assist with the cleaning up of various other data health projects as needed
  • Support the building of donor reports, gift entry, and/or processing of acknowledgment letters as needed
  • Other duties as assigned
     

Requirements

  • Strongly interested in pursuing a career in a relevant field (e.g., non-profit management, arts administration, data analytics, database administration, etc.)
  • Experience with a customer relationship management (CRM) database is a plus
  • Experience with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
  • Interest in learning Microsoft Power Platform, Application Programming Interface (API), and other AI tools
  • Adheres to organizational processes to maintain data accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality
  • Strong written and verbal communication, organizational skills, and attention to detail
  • Ability to think creatively, and work both independently and as part of a team 
  • Understand the importance of and be able to maintain confidential information
     

CLOSED

Fundraising & Donor Relations

We're pleased to consider applicants who will be physically located in and who will have a local address in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia for the duration of their employment. The Foundation does not offer fully remote work for any positions. Applicants who reside in any other state would be required to be physically located in and provide a local address in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia prior to starting work for Wolf Trap Foundation. If applicant cannot be onsite on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, an onsite schedule should be discussed if contacted for an interview.

Position Description: Be an integral part of Wolf Trap’s fundraising department, working closely with the leadership giving and annual fund teams. You will participate in stewardship and cultivation events, assist with leadership giving solicitation strategy and gift proposals.

  • Assist with preparation for cultivation and stewardship events
  • Assist with writing leadership gift proposals and briefing sheets
  • Research prospective funders
  • Manage donor and prospect information in donor database
     

Requirements

  • Strong computer skills (MS Word and Excel), experience with Raiser's Edge software is helpful but not necessary
  • Outstanding writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Efficient organizational skills and ability to multitask
  • Exceptional customer service skills, creativity, and initiative
     

CLOSED

Special Events & Event Rentals

Work behind the scenes with the Special Events team, assisting with the daily planning, logistics, coordination, and execution of Wolf Trap’s major fundraising events that help raise $2 million annually. You will also join in on the excitement of planning and coordinating member events and rentals at Wolf Trap’s many unique facilities.

  • Coordinate set-up and on-site registration at events
  • Assist with event invitation and RSVP process by managing information in the donor database
  • Execute membership fulfillment and cultivation events
  • Manage logistics for Facility Rentals projects and events
  • Interact with donors, prospects, and board members on the phone, through email, and on-site at events
  • Other projects include industry research, vendor outreach, organizing and managing event supplies, and assist in areas such as sponsorships/development and marketing. 
     

Requirements

  • Strong computer skills (MS Word and Excel), experience with Raiser's Edge software is helpful but not necessary
  • Outstanding writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Efficient organizational skills and ability to multitask with superb attention to detail
  • Exceptional customer service skills, creativity, and initiative 
     

CLOSED

Education Administration (Early Childhood)

The Education Administration-Early Childhood intern will work closely with the Wolf Trap Institute team to facilitate and promote a wide range of programs for learners of all ages from children and families to teachers. 

Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts

  • Support planning and coordination of Institute services (local, national, and international) to include classroom residencies and trainings, professional development workshops and trainings, family involvement workshops, Institute events, and special projects.
  • Assist in coordination of resource development, logistical planning and communication for services, professional development trainings, and events for National and Affiliate Services, DC/MD/VA Program, and Professional Development Trainings.
  • Collect survey responses, compile and evaluate data, and assist with program reporting to share program efficacy and impact with partners, funders/donors, and national affiliates.
  • Collaborate with Institute team to support special initiatives and program improvement ad-dressing partner priorities and national trends in early childhood and arts-integrated education 
  • Participate in opportunities to deepen understanding of Institute programs such as residency planning meetings, teaching artist professional development trainings, and observations of Institute programs in early childhood classrooms/centers.
  • Create and edit content for print materials and social media outlets.
 

APPLY NOW

Education Administration (Community Programs)

The Education Administration, Community Programs intern will work closely with the Internships & Community Programs team to facilitate and promote a wide range of programs for learners of all ages from children and families to college students and teachers. 

  • Contribute to the planning and implementation of the Internship and Apprenticeship Program, Grants for Performing Arts Teachers, Field Trips, and Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods
  • Coordinate and implement events for the Internship and Apprenticeship Program
  • Contribute to the marketing and promotion of Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods and the Internship and Apprenticeship Program
  • Research prospective artists for future seasons of Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods
     
 

CLOSED

Human Resources (Recruiting & Training)

The Human Resources, Recruiting & Training intern will work closely with the Human Resource Generalist and the Senior Director, Human Resources to support a diverse range of Human Resources and Recruiting & Training activities for approximately 100 employees and 550 seasonal/variable staff. Responsibilities may include assignments and special projects such as:

  • Provide administrative support including employee records management, filing and archiving
  • Process seasonal/variable hiring requests
  • Assist with hiring and onboarding process, policy development and staff event planning
  • Participate in evaluation of current Human Resources processes and implementation of improvements to streamline and gain efficiency
  • Assist with Foundation training
  • Make recommendations and updates to the staff 
  • Draft standard position description language; update position description templates and format existing position descriptions
  • Research and analyze best practices in Human Resources; assess current or proposed programs and initiatives against best practices; recommend and develop new programs to meet departmental objectives
     

Requirements

  • Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information
  • Strong work ethic, positive attitude and professional demeanor
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong organizational, customer service and project management skills
  • Course of study or prior internship experience in Human Resources preferred

    CLOSED

    Finance

    Perfect for Accounting majors/minors with an attention to detail. This intern assists the Foundation’s Finance department with managing cash flow, payroll, investments, inventory, and monthly financial reports.

    • Input daily deposits into general ledger
    • Assist in weekly cash counting
    • Assist with monthly bank reconciliations
    • Prepare spreadsheets to reconcile accounts to the general ledger
    • Prepare fixed asset inventory
    • Assist in budget and year-end projection spreadsheets
    • Assist in ad-hoc payroll projects
       

    Requirements

    • Must be an Accounting major or minor
    • Must know how to prepare excel spreadsheets
    • Detail-oriented and organized
       

    CLOSED

    Opera Artistic Administration

    Assist Wolf Trap Opera & Classical Programming in the daily operations of the department, which includes:

    • The coordination and distribution of daily schedules
    • Tracking Artist and VIP ticket requests and guest lists
    • Creating supertitle PowerPoint files and cueing score for each show
    • Compiling and editing program materials and text booklets
    • Working with the Development and Special Events departments on donor receptions and opening night cast parties

    Requirements

    • Interest in pursuing a career in opera or classical music administration
    • Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, Publisher)
    • Strong organizational & communication skills
    • Previous experience with a performing arts organization strongly recommended

    CLOSED

    Legislative Research

    Working within the Government Affairs Department, you will help facilitate planning, special initiatives, and Board relations and operations of the Wolf Trap Foundation with respect to government relations, including coordinating activities of staff and outside partners on government relations projects.

    • Prepare for and observe: staff planning sessions, meetings with arts and community partners and elected officials and government staff, and Board meetings.
    • Accompany Senior Director, Government Affairs to meetings with policymakers and their staffs as well as advocacy coalition activities.
    • Coordinate with other Wolf Trap teams to produce data-driven research that will facilitate government outreach
    • Invite government and community leaders to special events.
    • Assist with cultivation and stewardship events with government officials.
    • Learn about the structure and function of a Board of Directors and its Government Relations Committee, including the role that government advocacy plays in a nonprofit organization.
    • Maintain project records; learn Raiser’s Edge fundraising software to track government officials.
    • Assist with promotion of initiatives through writing and public interface.
    • Conduct research to inform new initiatives.
       

    Requirements

    • Strong ability to communicate verbally and in writing
    • Copyediting skills and attention to detail
    • Excellent skills in research and organization
    • Experience with computers, software, databases, and word processing programs is necessary
       

    CLOSED

    Production & Sound

    Assist with stage set up, load-in, hospitality, sound, and lighting for performances ranging from chamber music to rock and roll.

    Requirements

    • Prior university level concert production experience, especially with an interest in sound reinforcement
    • Ability to lift heavy items and work an evening and weekend schedule

    APPLY NOW

    For additional information, contact internships@wolftrap.org with questions.