Host a BAI: College
Intern this summer
Empower Students to Advance Their Arts and Cultural Careers
Background | Details | Apply Now
Background
Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) College offers early career opportunities for skilled college students from diverse backgrounds who are interested in arts careers and may otherwise lack access to such vital experiences without this paid opportunity.
The program creates a transformative bridge for alumni of our Bloomberg Arts Internship Summer program for high school students to opportunities at performing and visual arts organizations during the summer after their sophomore or junior year of college. We partner with arts organizations in Baltimore, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. This pathway deepens their connections to the arts sector and advances their professional development while bringing fresh perspectives to host organizations.
Mentored by arts leaders across key departments within partner institutions, interns gain practical experience, tackling meaningful projects with a professional approach. Within specific timelines, supervisors encourage students to take initiative and shape projects with original thinking/new ideas – all while earning a competitive wage.
This well-paid summer internship cultivates professional growth through arts career-focused workplace experiences. A core aspect includes valuable face-to-face interactions with experienced arts professionals, enhancing students’ knowledge and fostering connections within arts disciplines. Interns also build strong peer networks through required events and seminars, fostering collaboration and shared learning experiences that expand their professional horizons.
The BAI: College program is an extension of the BAI Summer high school program, administered by Studio Institute, and supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. It is in partnership with Arts for Learning in Maryland, EdVestors in Boston, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and Sitar Arts Center in Washington, DC.
Apply
Partner Applications for Summer 2026 open soon! Check back for details.
Questions? Email us today!
baicollege@studioinstitute.org
Access our Supervisor Resources for practical guidance to effectively mentor your BAI College students HERE.
Details
Summer 2026 Program Structure
Timeframe
252 total hours over 9 weeks
5-day commitment, 28 hours per week: 4 days on-site; 1 day of professional development
Program Dates
Baltimore: June 8 – August 7
Boston: June 4 – August 4
New York City: June 1 – July 31
Philadelphia: June 2 – August 3
Washington DC: June 5 – August 6
Professional Development Days- Every Friday, except June 19th (Juneteenth) and July 3rd (Independence Day, Observed)
Fully funded summer internships
Grants to Cultural Worksites
Partner organizations will receive a grant amount equal to the hourly wage over 252 hours, per intern, plus 9% to cover the fringe payroll expenses. In addition, a final stipend per intern will be granted upon completion of the internship requirements, including evaluation surveys. Any unused grant hours will be deducted from this final stipend amount at the end of the internship.
Intern Compensation*
Varies by city, plus a transit stipend as well as a final completion stipend
*Intern compensation based on the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
Cultural Worksite Requirements
Detailed, department-specific, 9-week project plan for the role
Candidate interviews and hiring (January - February 2026)
Full Onsite Participation: In addition to hosting the intern, organizations must participate in program-related events such as orientation, Kickoff and Closing celebrations
Direct supervision with mid-term and final evaluations
Weekly timesheet submission and approval
Employment Structure
Learn more about student eligibility for the Bloomberg Arts Intern College program.
Cultural worksites hire interns as temporary part-time employees who are paid on the same schedule as other employees.
As internships progress, interns take on greater responsibility and agency, completing meaningful projects that the organization uses
Baltimore:
Art with a Heart, Associated Black Charities, Evergreen Museum and Library, Everyman Theatre
Boston: Artists For Humanity Boston, EdVestors, The Museum of African American History, Spoke Art, Inc., The Huntington Theatre Company; WBUR, Here and Now and WBUR Podcasts
New York City: Artists for Humanity, Atlantic Theater Company, Drama Club, Intrepid Museum, The Juilliard School, Museum of Chinese in America, National Dance Institute, New 42nd Street Inc. / New Victory Theater, New York Hall of Science, The New York Historical, Signature Theatre, Socrates Sculpture Park, Theatre for a New Audience
Philadelphia: The Clay Studio, The Franklin Institute, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Independence Seaport Museum, Moonstone Arts Center, The Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Weitzman Museum of Philadelphia
Washington, D.C.: Sitar Arts Center, The Washington Ballet, Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company
*Worksite partners for 2026 are subject to change
Worksite Hosts*
Summer 2025 Program Participants Included:
I like to let students make mistakes and then provide feedback. I let them succeed by empowering them to make mistakes. They struggle, I provide feedback, and they learn from the experience.
David Piurek, Conservation Technician of Paintings and Frames, Cleveland Museum of Art;
Arts Intern Supervisor and Mentor
