Internship (Literary Arts)/Seasonal Employment

Chautauqua Institution • Chautauqua, NY

4d • $16 - $17 • Onsite

About The Position

Chautauqua Literary Arts convenes readers and writers of all ages in community, conversation, intensive craft development, and exploratory learning opportunities. Summer season programs for the Chautauqua Literary Arts department includes the Chautauqua Writers’ Center , Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC) , youth programs , The Chautauqua Prize , and the Chautauqua Janus Prize . This seasonal summer role offers students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in arts administration while becoming an active part of a nationally recognized literary institution. Students will serve as a welcoming first point of contact for visitors— greeting guests in person, by phone, and via email—while helping care for and maintain public spaces, classrooms, and meeting rooms in the Literary Arts Center at Alumni Hall. As a multi-use facility, Alumni Hall includes meeting space for the Chautauqua Writers’ Center, Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC), CLSC Alumni Association, and Friends of the Chautauqua Writers’ Center, as well as meeting spaces and classrooms. The first floor of the building is open Monday through Friday and Sunday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. (closed Saturdays) and the second floor is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (closed Saturdays and Sundays). In addition to administrative and facility support, students will assist with Literary Arts programs and events such as book signings, Masters’ Series workshops, and special programs. Students will also contribute to the Chautauqua Literary Arts newsletter and social media platforms, gaining real-world experience in arts communications and audience engagement. A key feature of this position is mentorship and professional development. Students will participate in writing and mentorship opportunities with the Director of Literary Arts, Stephine Hunt, and the Literary Arts Graduate Fellow (TBD). The role also includes participation in approximately four (4) Chautauqua Writers’ Center workshops, offering meaningful exposure to writers, faculty, and peers.

Requirements

• Must be an enrolled undergraduate student or recent graduate with 1–3 years of combined education and experience in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or mixed-genre creative writing, or a strong interest in literature and the arts.
• A friendly, professional attitude.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Some customer service skills.
• Comfort using computers and digital tools such as iPads, projectors, etc.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Comfort working in live event settings and engaging with public audiences.
• The ability to juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced, public-facing environment.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with audio-visual technology is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and support events along the Poetry Makerspace Brick Walk stops (Alumni Hall, the CLSC Octagon, and The Smith Memorial Library), including (but not limited to) explaining how the interactive exhibits work in Alumni Hall, supporting and developing Poetry Pop-Up Events, hosting Literary Arts game nights for the CHQ literary community, and supporting related programming at the Library and in partnership with Youth & Family Programs.
• May act as workshop assistant in Chautauqua Writers’ Center workshops, supporting Writers’ Center faculty.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for Chautauqua Writers’ Center workshops, CLSC events, and Literary Arts programs.
• Assist with Literary Arts events, including book signings, Masters’ Series workshops, and other public programs.
• Co-curate the community poem prompts and weekly poems gathered via in-person and online submissions.
• Support CLSC Young Readers Programming including co-facilitating book discussions and supporting programming in partnership with The Smith Memorial Library and Youth & Family Programs.
• Open and close the second floor of Alumni Hall; ensure classrooms, meeting spaces, technology, and public areas are ready for daily use (Monday – Friday).
• Serve as a welcoming first point of contact for visitors in person, by phone, and via email; answer questions, provide directions, and route inquiries as needed.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe classrooms, hallways, restrooms, and public spaces. This includes furniture arrangements as needed in the Poetry Room, Prose Room, Ballroom, and on the Porch of Alumni Hall.
• Track desk and program supplies and alert supervisors when inventory is low; assist with equipment allocation and movement (must be able to lift up to 50 lbs).
• Provide basic troubleshooting technology support for classes, meetings, and events (projectors, screens, HDMI connections, adaptors, presentations, and printing).
• Contribute to Chautauqua Literary Arts communications, including social media promotion and the weekly e-newsletter.
• Complete additional duties as assigned in support of Literary Arts, Alumni Hall operations, CLSC, and affiliated community organizations.
• Regularly meets with the Director of Literary Arts, Literary Arts Graduate Fellow, and other literary arts staff to build skills and knowledge of the literary professional world and develop personal writing projects.
• Will represent Chautauqua Literary Arts with a welcoming attitude towards students, visitors, and other community members you encounter throughout the internship.
• Participate in the larger Chautauqua artistic community by attending readings, concerts, etc.

Benefits

• This seasonal summer position includes housing in student dorms on or near the grounds and a meal plan.
• Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater.
• Chautauqua Institution will provide a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90-days from the first physical date of work. In the case of seasonal positions working less than 6-months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30-days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed