Paid Folklore Internships in New York State

Museum Anthropology editorial board member Robert Baron has shared news of paid internship opportunities for graduate students and recent graduates seeking employment in public folklore. Here are the details:

The Folk Arts Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) is now accepting applications for internships at three folk arts programs in New York State directed by folklorists. This internship program is coordinated by the NYSCA Folk Arts Program in association with the New York Folklore Society. Interns will learn first-hand about public folk arts programming through observing and participating in programs as well as ongoing administrative activities. They will be expected to undertake a special project related to the intern’s learning program for graduate study that will also benefit the host organization. The duration of each internship ranges from two to three months. Stipends will amount to $4500 - $5000, depending upon location. The stipend amount is intended to cover travel and lodging expenses as well as the intern’s fee – additional funding will not be provided for these expenses.

Applicants must be either students currently enrolled in a folklore graduate program or graduates of a folklore graduate program who received their degree within the past two years. Each intern and host organization will be expected to create a comprehensive internship plan and work agreement. Interns currently enrolled in a graduate program must create their internship plan in association with the intern’s graduate program. Following the internship, both the host organization and the intern must submit reports evaluating the internship.

To apply, submit a resume and a letter describing the potential benefits of an internship for the applicant’s career goals as a folklorist and its relationship to his or her graduate learning program. Indicate how previous experiences in programming, field research and/or administration would contribute to an organization hosting the internship. Applicants must list at least three choices for organizations with which they would like to intern, in order of priority. Selection of interns for each internship will be made by a committee made up of the host organization, NYSCA Folk Arts Program and New York Folklore Society.

Each internship is described below. Applications must be received by Noon, Monday March 5. Decisions on all applications will be made by mid-March. Send your application, on-line to rbaron@nysca.org.