Internships in Music
The Running Start Office has a number of internships available each semester through various programs and connections – keep reading to learn more!
Students who can benefit from internships include those who are:
- Looking to learn about how to run a successful musical enterprise/non-profit
- Looking to explore different areas of arts administration like community engagement, marketing, fundraising, + more
- Looking to grow their network of industry professionals and showcase their work ethic to potential future employers
- Looking to expand their industry experience for a resume or CV
- + so much more!
Check out our various internship programs below:
Arts Internship Award Program
The Running Start program partners with nonprofit arts organizations to provide scholarships to undergraduate or graduate students to complete an arts administrative internship for one or two semesters. Host sites vary each semester; sites and scholarships are announced through the Running Start newsletter, social media, website, and Bathroom Bulletins.
Past host sites for the Arts Internship Award Program include:
- Detroit Symphony Orchestra – community engagement office
- Community Music School – Detroit
- Hearing in Color
- ArtOps – Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival
- Blue Llama Jazz Club
- MSU University Arts & Collections
DALE Internship Program
The Running Start program partners with CMS-Detroit to provide scholarships to two music students to complete an internship for one or two semesters. These opportunities are paired with students studying early childhood music education and arts leadership, with more areas to be explored in the future. These internships are open to any interested music student, applications are available via Handshake and students interested in the early childhood internship should speak with Dr. Karen Salvador. Preference will be given to students who have previous affiliation with CMS-D. Openings and applications will be advertised in the Running Start Bathroom Bulletin, social media, website, and by faculty.
Opera Internships
The Running Start office paired with Professor Melanie Helton provides 2 full internships and 1 microinternship per semester. Positions range from stage management, production assistant, and costumes/wigs microintern. These opportunities are open to voice students, selected by faculty. If you are interested in one of these opportunities, please reach out to Professor Melanie Helton.
Summer Microinternship Program
The Running Start office partners with the DSO to provide 1-3 microinternships throughout the summer. These internships are project-based work that builds transferrable skills in arts administration, with flexibility built into this program to lend itself to allow students to complete an internship and summer music festival (or it’s equivalent). Applications are announced through the Running Start newsletter/Bathroom Bulletin and on social media. Applications will be open during the month of March on Handshake.
Off Campus Internships
A few tips for your search:
- Do you need a place to begin searching for internships in Michigan? Check out Michigan Arts and Culture Council. They may even have an organization near you!
- Search for positions to determine your interests. The list below gives you a place to start, or check out MSU Handshake, The Bridge Network (password required, send request to henleyem@msu.edu to gain access), Michigan Nonprofit Association, or Culturesource. You can also look for direct targets: Music Festival websites (eg. Aspen, Music@Menlo, Glimmerglass, Wolftrap), presenting organizations, nonprofits, businesses in the industry that you love, or network with professors or alumni through LinkedIn to find opportunities.
- Consider internships on campus or with areas of the College of Music. Handshake is the best place to search (keyword: MSU)
Meet with Running Start to discuss getting credit for your internship (MUS466) or a funding program like the MSUFCU Unpaid Internship award (undergraduate students only). - International students who want to pursue an internship off campus must complete at CPT form.
- Already found your internship but want to work on your internship application, cover letter, or interviewing skills? Set up an advising appointment on Handshake.
Have a question about internships? Set up an appointment with Emily Henley (henleyem@msu.edu) to discuss internship opportunities, your internship search, and more via Handshake or email!