PAID INTERNSHIP IN NEW YORK STATE FOLK ARTS PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE

Applications are now being accepted for a paid internship supported through the internship program of the New York State Council on the Arts and New York Folklore Society.  This year, the internship will be hosted by Long Island Traditions (LIT).  The internship program enables current and recent folklore graduate students to learn about public folklore and New York State’s traditions through undertaking a special project which will also benefit the host organization.  Candidates for the internship must be currently enrolled in a folklore graduate program or have graduated within the last two years. Priority will be given to current graduate students. The duration of the internship is 8 weeks, from mid-May to mid-July. 

This internship will involve the development of an exhibition and public programs for an exhibition, “From Shore to Shore: Boat Builders and Boatyards of Westchester and Long Island”, which will open in July.   The intern will carry out field research for the exhibition, and assist in the creation of exhibit panels, audio podcasts and public programs featuring local boat builders and restorers, including a weekend boat festival.  The intern will learn about the maritime traditions of Long Island while learning how to integrate fieldwork into the development of festivals, tours and exhibitions.  The internship will also allow for opportunities to visit other folklore organizations in the New York City metropolitan region, including suburban staff folklorists involved in maritime and occupational folklore documentation and presentation.

Applicants must be students currently enrolled in a folklore graduate program, or folklorists who have completed a folklore graduate program within the past two years.  The intern will be expected to create a comprehensive internship plan and work agreement with LIT.   For graduate students, the internship plan and work agreement should be prepared in association with the intern’s graduate program.  Following the internship, the intern and LIT will be expected to submit a report evaluating the internship.

A stipend of $5000 will be provided.  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 any travel or lodging expenses, except for gas expenses for fieldwork.   The intern must have a car which would be used during the internship.  Access will be provided to LIT’s audio recorders and digital cameras as well as a laptop computer.  LIT will assist with identifying possible housing sites for the intern.

To apply, submit a resume and a letter describing the potential benefits of the internship for the applicant’s career goals as a folklorist and, for graduate students, its relationship to his or her graduate learning program.  The application should also indicate how previous experiences in programming, field research and/or administration would contribute to an organization hosting the internship. 

Applications must be received by Tuesday, April 2nd, and a decision about the successful candidate will be made by mid-April.  Applications must be submitted electronically to Robert Baron, robert.baron@arts.ny.gov  (please do not contact Long Island Traditions for information about this internship).