Northwest Folklife, in collaboration with the Office of Economic Development and the Office of Arts and Culture, has developed an internship program that provides paid internships for Seattle’s young creatives. The Cultural and Creative Workforce Development Program (CCWD) provides opportunities to develop skills and connections within the Creative Industries and cultural sector.
About the Cultural and Creative Workforce Development Program (CCWD):
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Internships range from 12-24 weeks long and are designed to give young people hands-on training in various creative fields
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Interns work 10-14 hours a week at their internship sites and participate in 1-2 hours of CCWD program activities
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Internships are generally open to individuals aged 16-26 years, based in Seattle and surrounding communities (some positions may have more specific age requirements)
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Our approach is collaborative and community driven. Partners and sites are prioritized by their grounding in community development as well as their commitment to building a more equitable cultural and creative ecosystem
The program aims to:
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Offer experience and mentorship in a wide range of cultural and creative jobs
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Develop creative assets
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Build peer and professional networks
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Imagine and shape the Creative Industries, cultural ecosystem, and evolving economy
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Celebrate creativity and culture as essential to thriving communities
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Highlight the passion and initiative of young creatives
We are excited to support emerging voices and ideas within our communities and provide meaningful career development experiences.
Please note: Right now most internships will be done remotely. As we move through different phases of re-opening, host sites will communicate with the program manager and interns regarding the planning and safety measures for return to in-person work.
All candidates must adhere to COVID-19 health and safety regulations. As of December 5, all CCWD program participants and site partners will be subject to the City of Seattle COVID vaccination requirements for contractors.

Internship Opportunities:
Velocity is Seattle’s center dedicated to contemporary dance, and an essential incubator for new dance in our region. With artist-driven, community-responsive programming, Velocity provides vital resources and advocacy for one of the most active dance communities in the nation. Velocity’s programming includes classes, workshops, residencies, performances, discussions, and two annual international festivals.
To celebrate how far we’ve come in our pandemic-altered landscape, we are expanding the traditional festival format into a full month of in-person and online experiences: Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation.
In the past, Velocity has offered two distinct dance festivals during the summer, Strictly Seattle and the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation. This year, SFD+I will offer creative process intensives, drop-ins, and beginning dance tracks with world-renowned faculty and exceptional local teachers, plus in-person events, and pop-up performances.
Velocity seeks TWO Summer Programming Intern(s) who will assist staff with the development, implementation and evaluation of SFD+I. Position will be developed with each intern to fulfill Velocity’s needs while also aligning with each individual’s expertise, skills and goals.
Please view the Velocity CCWD Programming Internship for details!
redefine magazine CCWD Interdisciplinary Arts Writer Internship

REDEFINE magazine is an independent publication dedicated to conscious growth through long-form arts journalism. Through interdisciplinary coverage, it shines light upon a rainbow spectrum of innovative thinkers and boundary-pushing artists, who engage in complex ruminations about self and society through their craft.
As the Interdisciplinary Arts Writer Intern, you will work closely with the Editor-in-Chief to research, identify, and write long-form interviews, reviews, or features that offer a deep and expansive view of the arts. Exact articles and focus areas will be custom-tailored to honor shared tastes between REDEFINE and the writer, though all coverage must adhere to REDEFINE's mission, focus on independent communities underrepresented in mainstream press, challenge the status quo, and contribute to positive social change.
Please view the redefine magazine CCWD Interdisciplinary Arts Writer Internship for details!
NWFL CCWD Performer Experience Internship

Northwest Folklife creates opportunities for all to celebrate, share, and participate in the evolving cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest.
Last year’s Cultural Focus, Metamorphosis, took us through a journey of change, transformations, and transition. The journey continues with this year’s Cultural Focus, Lagom: Not too much, not too little, but just right.
This Scandinavian term speaks to the notions of balance. When change happens in a person’s or communities life, you have to adapt to your new environment. You’ve got to reassess, find your footing, interrogate your conditions, and create a path for new beginnings. Just like metamorphosis, this requires hands-on involvement and participation.
The Performer Experience Intern should be an enthusiastic team member who’s inspired and passionate about learning the behind-the-scenes logistics of the largest community run festivals in the nation. This personal and unique position allows you to interact with thousands of artists and culture bearers from across the Pacific Northwest to ensure all festival participants receive vital communications. Smooth festival operations depend on informed constituents – who is doing what, where to go, what to do, when to be at specified a location, and at what time. This position is set in a fast-paced environment that will require proactivity on projects, excellent communication skills, and high energy and passion for the work. While this position will focus on engagement with performers and presenters, the intern will adopt additional roles and duties as assigned.
Please view the NWFL CCWD Performer Experience Internship for details!
An internship at Northwest Folklife will provide the experience you need to move into a career in arts programming, event coordination, festival production, marketing, or related fields. Interns take on a vital role in executing year-round programs, including the Northwest Folklife Festival – the largest community powered arts festival in the region.
The Special Programs Intern will support Northwest Folklife’s programming department in curating the 2023 Northwest Folklife Festival, particularly in the coordination of newer program areas: The Maker’s Space, “Threads of the People” Exhibition, and sustainability focused Kuleana Corridor.
Please view the NWFL CCWD Special Programs Internship for details!
If you are interested in careers focused on cultural or creative work and would like to be notified when internship opportunities are posted, please send an introductory statement (1-2 paragraphs). Please email all content to internships@nwfolklife.org.
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Describe your interest in this type of work
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You can list any programs that you have participated in that you feel are relevant.
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You may include a sample of your original creative content (optional)

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