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Applications are now open to 228 students looking for paid on-the-job experience in the arts at over 140 nonprofit organizations starting this summer, thanks to the L.A. County Arts Internship Program (AIP).

Now in its 21st year, the AIP is the largest paid summer internship program in the nation, placing more than 2,500 student interns in nonprofit performing, presenting, literary and municipal arts organizations

Students build their professional skills and connections while completing projects in education, marketing, graphic design, fundraising, production, and more. Host organizations, which range in budget size, include nonprofits focusing on artistic disciplines including theater, dance, multimedia, film, and social justice through the arts.

“Through the largest paid arts internship program in the nation, LA County remains committed in investing and nurturing our future generation of artists and cultural workers,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair, Hilda L. Solis, Supervisor to the First District. “My commitment to workforce development is stronger than ever due to the pandemic and is why I was so pleased to champion a motion last year to restore funding to the Arts Internship Program—a critical entry point for young people of color into careers in arts and culture. Not only does the program grow in participants every year, but it also chips away at longstanding disparities in creative opportunities. As we continue to re-open sectors of our County, and develop sustainable recovery efforts, our focus must be on building stronger and more accessible pathways for careers in this sector.”

“This kind of paid work-based opportunity is a critical way to address inequities, build an arts and creative sector that centers equity, and relieve the pandemic’s impact on youth unemployment in the County,” said LA County Department of Arts and Culture Director Kristin Sakoda. “As our sector begins a journey of recovery, interns will engage first-hand in the arts and create networks that help launch their careers.”

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the program timeline has been extended to allow for more flexibility for both interns and work sites. Additionally, part time and remote internships will be available. Organizations set the start and end dates of their positions, but all students must complete their 400 paid hours between May 31, 2021 and March 1, 2022.

Any current undergraduate students, as well as students graduating between May 1 – December 1, 2021 are eligible to apply. All applicants must be currently enrolled in a community college or four-year university. Applicants must also be residents of or attending schools that are located in Los Angeles County, and they cannot be previous participants of the Program. Eligible students of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply and may do so by identifying the opportunities they are interested in at www.lacountyarts.org/internships and applying directly to those host organizations. Positions will be launched at the beginning of each month starting in April through August of 2021. Interested students are encouraged to continue checking our website for the most up to date and available positions.