Cultural & Creative Workforce Development

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):

Internships are typically 6 months long and are designed to give young people hands-on training in various creative fields
Interns generally work an average of 10-15 hours a week at their internship sites and participate in 1-2 hours of CCWD program activities on a monthly basis
Internships are generally open to individuals aged 16-26 years, based in Seattle and surrounding communities (some positions may have more specific age requirements)
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:

Offer experience and mentorship in a wide range of cultural and creative jobs
Develop creative assets
Build peer and professional networks
Imagine and shape the Creative Industries, cultural ecosystem, and evolving economy
Celebrate creativity and culture as essential to thriving communities
Highlight the passion and initiative of young creatives

Meet Our Current Interns!

Krista Orejudos, Seattle Center Cultural Programs Office

Krista is one of the Seattle Center Cultural Programs Interns who enjoys marketing and communications as well as program and production management. She is currently working on revamping Festal’s podcast for another season with new and exciting episodes that engage and interact with the community in Seattle. She has worked with Ground Zero Radio to interview BIPOC artists and community leaders, and she has been running her own podcast, Krista’s Curiosity since 2020. In her free time, she enjoys reading Asian American literature and graphic novels as well as bullet journaling.

Alejandra Hillon, Northwest Folklife Performer Experience

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Alejandra moved to Seattle when she was 5 and has lived here ever since. In 2023, she graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in ethnomusicology. Alejandra has been a musician her whole life, having played the piano for 16 years and having plenty of experience as a performer. She also enjoys working behind the scenes in the live music industry, especially for local Seattle music festivals. Alejandra has first-hand experience with the power of live music to connect communities and hopes that her work can help share this with as many people as possible.

Beverly Talakua, Milli Creative Agency

Beverly Talakua is a socal dancer and designer who prioritizes centering her creative work around uplifting marginalized or underrepresented communities. She prioritizes merging her passions as an artist, leader, and social justice advocate within the creative field. With experience in design, event management, and community fundraising, Bev works to continue building her professional background. As a current Visual Communication Design student at the University of Washington, she takes inspiration from Hip Hop and the Seattle street styles dance scene. You will often find her breaking it down in local dance battles, attempting graffiti in her notebook, or taking choreography classes from her friends.

Jensen Ghidella, Velocity Dance Center

Jensen Ghidella is a Seattle-based dancer, choreographer, writer, and the current CCWD Summer Programming Intern for Velocity Dance Center. After growing up in the Puget Sound, she graduated from Colby College in Maine in 2022 with a degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in Theater and Dance. She returned to Washington state to pursue her passion of movement art, to support creative community, and to cherish the land of the PNW. Jensen is excited by collaborative performance art, multi-faceted solutions to local environmental issues, and stumbling across a new favorite book.

Emily Silks, Northwest Folklife Archivist

Emily Silks (they/them) is a PhD Candidate and Graduate Instructor in Ethnomusicology at the University of Washington, currently serving as the Archive and Digital Experience Intern at Northwest Folklife. In their doctoral research, Emily is committed to realizing the intersection of archives, digital humanities, and cultural arts sustainability through collaborative projects with local non-profits and artists in Seattle. Leveraging their dual expertise as a professional musician and ethnomusicologist, Emily strives to create meaningful connections between cultural arts communities and recording resources. Outside of their professional pursuits, Emily enjoys cycling throughout the Pacific Northwest and indulging in home-cooked meals.

Navi Esparza, Redefine Magazine

Navi Esparza (He/Him) is a journalist and screenwriter based in Tacoma, WA. He loves writing and challenging himself to write from various perspectives to increase his knowledge and understanding of our world. He attended the University of Puget Sound where he studied International Political Economy and Politics and Government. This has enabled him to grow into a versatile writer who can utilize research and critical analysis to create compelling pieces that appeal to a diverse audience from a political-economic framework. His professional experience with publishing articles has enhanced his ability communicate his ideas in writing whether it's to inform, persuade or invoke conversations.

We are excited to support emerging voices and ideas within our communities and provide meaningful career development experiences.

All candidates must adhere to COVID-19 or any other current health and safety regulations.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

NWFL CCWD Performer Experience Internship

NWFL CCWD Performer Experience Internship 2025 (224.43 KB)

Join the dynamic team at Northwest Folklife and learn the behind-the-scenes logistics of programming one of the largest community-centered festivals in the nation! The Performer Experience Intern has the opportunity to interact with artists and culture bearers from across the Pacific Northwest while gaining highly transferrable communication and event production skills.

INTERVIEWS WILL BEGIN JANUARY 6. The position will remain open until filled.

SEE THE FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a statement of intent (1-2 paragraphs) which includes:
- Your interest in creative careers and skills
- Who you are, and how you think this internship will help you
- What is most exciting to you about taking part in this internship
Attach your resume, CV, or a list of relevant experiences as a PDF.
Please submit materials to internships@nwfolklife.org
SUBJECT LINE: Performer Experience Internship
Resume and cover letter are welcome, but not required to apply
To be hired candidates need to be a WA state resident and eligible to work in the USA, complete the US I-9, provide relevant identification and provide other employment documentation to Northwest Folklife

NWFL CCWD Special Programs Internship

NWFL CCWD Special Programs Internship 2025 (222.81 KB)

Join the dynamic team at Northwest Folklife and learn the behind-the-scenes logistics of programming one of the largest community-centered festivals in the nation! The Special Programs Intern supports the programming and coordination of newer program areas: The Maker’s Space, “Threads of the People” Exhibition, sustainability focused Kuleana Corridor and the Artist Interview Series while developing community outreach, engagement and curation skills.

INTERVIEWS WILL BEGIN JANUARY 6. The position will remain open until filled.

SEE THE FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION